Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-10-03

!
amble about music and flowers,
aud"
II wonder where you would have
been while I was preambling?" in
terrupted. II would like to be fanci-
full and poetic, but the man who makes
love to you has got to do it flying.
But it is true, Kate, do love you, and
| will never marry any other woman.
You must give me some kind of an
answer. What is it to be?"
Just this, Jack; I can not afford to
marry"
"Can not afford to marry?" I re-
peated. "You do not have any thing
to do about affording. That is my
business. can afford it, -
"How?' .~~u.. ..--.....-r- ...-
I don't know how it was, but that
little word plunged me into the depths
of goose-aesh and despair. 1t wasn't
so much the chow as how she said 1t.
why have seven thousand q
year." I replied. land twenty thou
sand will come from my fathers es-
tate, and"
l was as limp as a rag, for I knew
that these figures, ample enough as I
considered them for two persons who
loved each other, had made no i'm
preston upon her.
''How much have you saved?" was
her next question.
Now it had never entered into my
head to save any thing; it would be
enough for that when got ready to
settle down; and this is the substance
of what told her. And just here
confound garden parties! I say-two
Or three couples came struggling
along, and there was only an instant
left. do say something, Kate" I
pleaded. 1T will be hard to go with
out any encouragement
Il haven't a single bit to give you, "
she answered, as if biting off every
syllable. Il have told you the literal
truth. I can not afford to marry"
By this time we were surrounded by
the gay throng, and two minutes later
the girl had vainly tried to win was
whirling about In the arms of an
empty-headed millionaire. After the
waltz found time enough to say, in a
tone that certainly seemed tragic
enough to me: you can afford to
marry that idiot, suppose?''
. Il will tell that to him when he
asks me-" was the laughing rejoinder;
and that was all I made by that rude
speech.
OF all the answers that mortal man
ever received from the girl he had
asked to be his wife, Il can not afford
to marry" is the strangest. I dream
OF it every night, eat it at every meal,
and set it to the meter of every tune
that l hear, from orchestra to hand
organ.
Well, I made up my mind that
would ask her to tell me exactly what
she meant; so one evening, fully six
weeks later, I rang her fathers door
bell. AS I mounted the steps 1 real
lied, as never before, how delicately
enjoyed every advantage that money
could procure. There had never been
any stint in this family, and I had been
consummate fool to expect girl so
nurtured to accept me and my pittance.
But we had been true comrades, and
would demand an explanation
''Miss Kate has been engaged on
two callers" said the servant, with
whom I was favorite, land meb be
it will be the same with you; but I'll go
to the library and see."
''No, let me co." urged. II came
on a special errand, and am in a hur-
ry.'
*'Why, Jack, who said you might?''
The dear little girl-hang it all! how
naturally gush comes to fellow in
love-sat at the library table, writing,
and as she glanced up and saw me
/ had knocked and entered-it did seem
as If she looked far more pleased than
annoyed.
lit is very odd," she continued, in
her frank and friendly way, as she
gave me her hand, ''that you should
appear. I have been wishing that the
right person would come and do me q
great favor. hope you are not in q
hurry?"
'"Not in the least" I responded. II
can stay a week as we'll as not. What
shall I do?''
"YOu can read to me- You see, Jack.
I am studying photography, and it is
very difficult to get practice enough.
Last night papa took me to lecture,
and laughed at me all the time; and
Sunday morning I had a splendid prac-
tice in church; but this is law, and
some of the words are not familiar.
Commence there, please.
This was situation! But I made
no remark, and did exactly as I was
bid. Three times I read that ponder
GUS document through, my companion
oblivious to every thing save speed
and correctness.
You are the best reader have had
yet" she remarked at last, s'and