Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-05-18
Nj 0 II A s c H0ICE.
by MRS. ALEXANDER.
CHAPTER IA PROPOSAL.

whence line brauched off to some villages
and the county town.
A couple of commercial travellers, whose
large neatly strapped cases were piled on
hand truck. stood at one end OF the plat
form, in conversation Of an amusing de-
scrption, for they laughed loud and fire.
quently.
A gentleman covered from head to foot
in large da:k ulster, walked to and fro
smoking a cigar and peering sharply into
the thick mist which hid the line up TO
few yards beyond the station.
The loose wrap he wore did not conceal
his air of distinction. The eyes that
watched so eagerly for the train, were light
steely blue, his coloring was sunburned
brown, somewhat too dark for his hair and
mustache.
Five minutes behind time" he said,
glancing at the clock over the door of the
booking office, and addressing one of the
two pOrters who were waiting about.
IL often is, sir! You see they have Of
ten to wait at Brenton for the Altonbor
ough passengers. It's express after this"
Look after my luggage. II is in the
waitingroom My name is on it-Captain
i.;sIe-lll be back by the six-twenty, and
VIII not forget you"
Thank ye, sir! I'll take care Of it right
enough"
'Two-fftecn-and here IL comcsn' ex-
claimed Captain Iisle. throwing away his
cigar ~ the engn" rushed screaming out
Of the dim distance, ana approaching the
edge Of the platform he pcerc@ sarply in
10 the carriages.
In "A frst-cIass compartment a young
lady sat alone. Isle proceeded 10 open
the door
"acs pardon, sir" said the urbane
guard This is ladies' carriage-there's
plenty of room in the next"
IAN right / know the lady; she will
permit me to travel few miles in her
company. VIII you not?" raising his deer
stulkcr's cap.
"Oh, Captain Lislc" she exclaimed, with
n swift blush yes! of COURSE"
Don't cram in any women or babies"
said Lisle aside quickly to the guard,
pressing some coin Of the realm into his
hand.
AN right, sirr' Significantly. Jump
III"
A shrll whistle, and they were off.
Il hope you will forgive my intrusion.
But rs had no chance of seeing you after
that telegram came, thought | would try
TO say good bye en- route"
Il have nothing To forgive; you are very
good TO take the trouble | fancicd you
were at Caiilworth Castle by this time
you started 50 early"
II started at that uuearthIy hour to Sc
cure some private conversation with You"
Indeed"
Again "A blush, fainter this time, fitted
over the Iady's cheek.
Yes. | am going to say what may per-
haps offend you-to interfere where | GER
tainly have no right, but my sincere inter
est IN ytu my-my ardent regret that
fortune should treat you ~ unkindly, urges
me- To rsi, making an ass of myself"
You puzzle mel | feel vaguely there is
something do not quite understand be
hind this sudden illness of my poor grand
mother Everyone seemed So sorry for me
and Lady Mary, who is kindness itself,
said she feared She Ind lost II grcHt deal of
money. Do tell me what you know. You
always seem to me to know cvcrything'
II wish did not know the present state
Of affairs and wish You did rot look as
If those grand eyes OF yours had been wide
awake uIl night"
\ gain she smiled, a somewhat trcmuloGs
smiIc this time.
Indeed | could not sleep, | was haunt
ed by the I. COLLECTION OF my many quar-
rcIs with granite who is really fond OF
me, and has been very, very "ond To mel
must try and make upto her for Sc pas
II can imagiu, that Mrs y .,ynurgn's
rule Is Of the iron rod order" said Captain
Idsc Nor do suppoS that You are too
meek a subject frlr.' hc AL tel, grave
", softly, that n terrible reverse awaits
her aud YOU The speculation In waiCl
she has invested her whole capital has
thing"
nov ~ NUu kItvN
Sir Robert Eycrard told me all particU-
lars Inst night-whcu the other Lrrn had
left the smoking room. Mrs N,whtrgh's
solicitor Is also his. The sudden shock has
been too much ror her, and brought on IL
fevcrish attack"
"Do You mean to say that we shall have
no money at alI?"
IL fear you will mott Evrrard spoke
openly 10 me- knowing the interest | take
in you, of which hope You too are aware"
1--WE have always been very good
friends" she said, shyly, with quivering
lips.
Yes! and for that friendships sake
am about TO break my usual habit of not
interfering with what does not absolutely
concern me-to risk the snubbing you are
quite capable of administering.
'' paused ana S""'a Tor moment Mt
,no u'u,a''' """h'aSt ia'o opposite 10
nun "'9 pt""S contracting III sudden
lfnWn.
"Why should snub youg' she asked,
without looking mp.
wan 'I' nave un'ShGi. VIII l"" ne
"''' me W"'ii say 'h"t l was aSSi'eP''NS
IT. N""'S'" l'N' "'|''' MY fancy no
"'' "", ''l '','Llhl"Ne man my expert
"h'r' "'P','e" AL tug hatushlP "I your lot,
~, "'"' KNOWN u'i''Sui''eS money dlul-
'"I'''H, t"N'''l' TOO Is Il huUlreu-i"lu
worse i"i Il woman, proud, d'lIcateS
hur'ured woman, ike yourself; and for
YOU there IS no escape, such as man can
ma IN a good appointment hope torone
myself ia India before many weeks are
over
hut women can work, too she said,
w"ndrrtnEly. "Nhy do You try to brighten
me-
because want You to SEIZE the only
way ot escape that offers.
"hscapcs How
Hear me ont am going to rush in
probably like fool-whcrc angels might
hesitate to tread; but know what life is,
and must open your eyes After Everard
had told me- An he know | wont tn my
room. and Warning, who had been dozins,
over an evening paper"