Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-03-23

WIFI utT. III NlllNll iVA' 'ii0'' 'N'
made greater progress than ever be
fore. asked her if she would go skat-
ing with me.
"Oh yes, with pleasure, she an
swered; then dropping her eyes de
murely she added; Il know papa will
not object, though he rarely allows
me TO go out alone: but he said he al
ways felt as if were well chaperoned
when you were with me, being such
an old friend of his. you know"
The long lashes hid her eyes, but |
felt that she was laughing at me a |
replied:
"Oh, of course an old-house-dog who
has lost all his teeth is perfectly safe
for the children TO play with.
Yes. exactly" was the reply. And
this time she raised her laughing eyes
10 mine. and with an "A urevoir and
low courtesy, she ran upstairs, while
| departed. i'm a most uncomfortable
state of mind. TO fetch my skates. 4
few minutes before, would have been
willing 10 stake my fortune that she
cared a little for me. but her last
speech undid ii all
In half an hour | was back again.
Some one left the house as | ran up
the steps. and the door stood open. |
walked in without ringing. My hand
was on the portiere of the drawing
room To push it aside, when / heard a
voice within say: Il love you, Alice.
Will You be my wife.
Ny heart stood still. and turning
from the door, beat IA hasty retreat
TO the reception-room.
| had recognized the voice as that
of one of the young fellows who had
been most devoted in his attentions
To Alice. He was wealthy; indeed
/ that hardly expressed il, for he was
worth at least million in his own
right. with the prospect of inherltlng
several more from his father. Com
pared with that, my little fortune was
amere pittance. The front door shut,
and | looked from the window TO
make sure that my ears had not de
ceived me. No; there he was, tall
and handsome. just such young fel-
low as any woman would be proud To
call her husband. Then | turned To
the mirror over the mantel. What
chance would an old house-dog have
when compared with such splendid
young mastifr2 OF course She would
accept him.
However, if we were going skating,
must put on brave face, and save
my misery until afterward. When !
entered the drawing-rooR ! found
Alice. wrapped in her furs, sitting in
front of the fire, gazing at it intently.
She looked up as | approached her,
and there was a suspicious glisten
about her eyes as she hastily drew her
hand across them, saying:
You startled mo, Mr.. Graham; |
did not hear you come in.
II have been here some time, ] re
piled. and have to beg pardon for un-
Intentionally overhearing part OF
your conversation"
Did you? Oh, am sorry"
Surely you need not grudge an old
friend the knowledge Of your happi-
ness. said, with some bitterness.
She looked astonished, but said
nothing.
MAY congratulate your | asked.
Not yet please" was the answer.
But come, Mr. Graham, we must be
off. or we will have no time for skat-
| ing
We started off, and every minute
her spirits rose, while mine sank
! lower. 1t seemed hard-hearted 10 me
| that she should parade her happiness
/ before my very eyes. Alice never no.
ticed how forced my attempts at live
/ illness were, but laughed and talked
/ dN i Ildl DtNtI lltdlh li'i
| talk before. 1t was the last time that
| should ever have her all to myself,
and never took my eyes of Of her
/ face, drinking in her beauty, her ever
changing expression, and her glorious
eyes, now soft and sympathetic, yet
/ in an instant brimming over with fun
and laughter-often enough at my eX-
pense.
Jim Randolph was at home when we
returned, and would take no refusal
to his invitation 70 stop and dine with
| them. For the last time" ] said 10
myself, and stayed. He had al en-
gagement for the evening. and excused
himself as soon a. dinner was over,
leaving us alone. We sat in front Of
| the drawing-room fire after he had
gone. and long and awkward pause
ensued.
"A penny for your thoughts said
Alice at last.
You would not like them" was the
surly reply.
Perhaps not, but have Il fancy TO
hear them"
They will only tire you"
That is for me to decide" she an
swered; and rising from her low seat
she leaned against the mantel, with
her face in the shadow, so that | could
not see it distinctly. but her voice
sounded strangely excited. Please
grant my request, she added
VERY well, ! said; 'as you wish II,
then. was thinking Of you. Alice,
have loved you since the first time
met you-loved you as never thought
| could love, and until my love for
you has become so bound up in my