Richland beacon., 1888-03-10


fortune W. a mere pittancc. The front
door shut, and | looked from the win
dow to make sure that my ears had not
deceived me. No; there he was, tall
and handsome, Just such a young fellow
as any woman would be proud to call her
husband. Then turn d to the mirror
over the mantel. What chance would
an Old housc-dog have when compared
with such a spcnd d young mastiff? Of
course, she would accept him.
However, if we were to go skating, !
must put on brave face, and save my
misery until aftcrward. When entered
the drawing room found Alice. wrapped
in her furs, sitting in frort Of the fire,
gazing at it inte ltly. She looked up as
| approached her, and there was suspi-
cious glisten about her eyes rs she hastily
drew her hand across them, ing:
"You startled me. Mr.. Graham; ] did
not hear you come in"
81 have been here some time" | re-
piled, land have to beg pardon for un-
Intentionally oycrharing paat you con-
vcrsation."
did you? Oh, am sorry."
"Surcly you need not grudgc an old
friend the knowledge of your happi-
ness" | sud with some bitterness
She looked astoni,hed, bat sad moth
ing
May congratulate YOU" Iaskcd.
"Not yet, please" was the answer.
''But come, Mr.. Graham, we must be off,
or we will have no time for skating"
We started off, and every minute her
spirits rose, while mine sank lower. 1t
seemed hard hearted to me that she
should parcde her happiness before my
very eyes. Alice never noticed how
forced my attempts at liyclincss wcrC,
but laughed and talked as | had never
heard her laugh and talk before. 1t was
the last time that should ever have her
all to myself, and never took my eyes
off of her face, drinking in her beauty,
her 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-
pcnsc.
Jim Randolph was at home when we
returned, and would take no refusal to
his invitation to stop and dine with
them. "FOr the last time | said to
my self, and stayed. lie had an engage
mcnt for the evening, and excused HIM
self as soon as dinner was over,
leaving us alone We sat in front of the
drawing room fire after he had gone, and
a long and awkward pause cnsucd.
"A penny Tor your thoughts" said
Alice at last.
"You would not like them," was the
surly reply.
"Perhap, not, but 1 have a fancy to
hear them"
"Thcy will only tire you"
"That is for me to dccidc,' she an
swcred; and rising from her low seat she
leaned against the mantc', with her face
in the sh dow, so that could not see it
distinctly, but her voice sounded strangely
excited. ''Plcase grant my request" she
added
"Very well, l said; "as you wish it,
then, l was thinking of you. Alicc, |
have loved you since The first time l met
you-loved you as | never thought |
could love, and until my love for you
has become SO bound up in my life
that now, when | must give you up,
life seems but blank to me. 1 know
| was fool to think of you.
am too old. What have | to offer you
in comparison with the wealth, youth
and social standing, that have been
thrown at your feet to-day. Nothing
but my love-" A sound like sup
pressed sob came from the fireplace
''You asked me, Alice, and l have told
vou. think it would have been wiser
not to have spoken, for what good can
it do"
"What good? On, John. Oh, you
dear old goose. could not you see that
| loved you all the time!"
"You loved me, Alicc?" exclaimed.
eyes" she broke in; ''and yet
treated you shamefully" She was kneel
ing beside me now, with head buried or
the arm of my chair. "Oh, John, l am
so sorry! Can you forgive me! l begar
in fun at first, because it provoked INT
to hear you talk of women as if any OF
them could lie bought by the highest
bidder and then | tou'd not resist teas
ing you about being papa's friend; and
when l found ihat-that l was caring
more and more about you, l determined
to try and make you change all those
horIid theories of you before l evel
would let you know it. But did no
know you loved me so very, very much
John, and did not want you to suiTc
really"
Ny senses seemed to have left me.
sat there da1cd by the sudden happines
which filed my heart.
And what heard this aftcrnoon."
gasped.
;You silly boy" she cried, lifting he
blushing face from the chair, If you La
only waited minute longer you wou's
never have doubted me for an instant
Now are you satisfied, dear!"
There were no more awkward pause
that evening. 1t was late when ] ros
to take my leave. Alice helped me o.
with my overcoat, and I caught her j
my ms as she would have escaped wit
hurried goodnight"
"Arc You sure, my darling, that yO
do not regret taking pity on the oil
house dog" l asked, looking down a
her
| ''Oh no." she answered, demurcly
: ''nJt as long as lie is an old friend c
rapa's." And with mischievous elanC
: she slipped from my arms, aud ra
laughing away. -Har ,er's Weekly.
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