The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-10-31
"Miss Rivers, sir? Yes. sir

staying with Mr.. ard Mrs. Walters
first floor front. ShallsI take up your
card. sir?'' 81 Isl
The name on the card was Harvev
Ferrier, Sou:hdownshire regiment; and
Prince Charming, who had handed II
to the lodging house boy in buttons,
found himself following boy and card
up the stairs tothe first floor front with
a heart beating SO loud and fast that
he could not hear the sound OF his own
feet as he went. When the door of the
drawing room was opened he found
himself in the presence of a middle
aged man with a kind, grave face,
locking out from under a shock of
grizzled hair, and whose whole ap-
pearance formed the strongest contrast
with that of his visitor.
Prince Charming looked q little puz-
zled. So did Mr.. Walters. The name
on the card suggested. nothing at all to
the man of letters. He bowed to his
caller, and asked him to sit down.
III beg your pardon, sir,'' began
Prince Charming, Il took the liberty
OF sending up the card you hold to
Miss Rivers" -
Mr.. Walters glanced again from the
visitor to his card; but he still looked
! puzzled. s.<5
miss Rivers" he said. slowly, at
last, 'is staying here under my care.
She Is very near connection of mine
in fact. Mr.. Ferrier-"
IL see.' broke In Mr.. Ferrier, hur-
riedly-'I see. OF course. if that is
the case: l must ask you to be so kind
as to listen to me while explain the
reason OF my visit Perhaps it will be
better that should have seen YOU
first. as am aware am doing some
thing a little startling.''
Mr.. Walters bowed again. His
manner was solemn. but not unkindly,
and bis visitor was far too sanguine to
be easily repslled. !.
Il will not make any unnecessary
preamble" said Prince Charming: II
am not clever at beating about the
bush. 1t is just this. About two years
ago, at Boulogne. where Miss Rivers
was staying with her mother, l fell
desperately in love with her."
Just when I fell in love with
Sylvia unused Mr.. Walters; and he
felt very sympathetic.
Il was horribly badly off, pursued
Prince Charming. $50 Lady Rivers
thought acted dishonorably in telling
her daughter the state of my feelings.
She was excessively angry. and lmade
u great fool of myself. The fact was,
we were both SO fond Of one another,
and SO unhappy"
Poor young things!' said MIR. Wal
tiers, feelingly; then, as he thought of
| light-hearted Gwendolen. he added:
''But she has got over it wonderfully"
"Outwardly. perhaps. replied Prince
Charming. II thought myself, when
caught sight of her from the house op-
posite. where am just now in rooms,
that she looked much older and more
worn. But, may be, the distance de-
/ ceived me. However, am sure she
will not have forgotten. Look at me;
you wouldn't think l have suffered
serious heart troubles. Yet l have
| never left of thinking of her, and
hoping for her."
REALLY" said Mr.. Walters, with a &C.
rious smile. But if you could not afford
| to marry then. is it any use your think
ing of renewing your courtship now?''
Yes. sir, certainly" replied Ferrier,
sturdily. II am in better position
now; have got out of all my difficult
ties; I've settled down into being the
steadiest of men-all for love of her.
have good appointment at Chat
ham. Lady Rivers could no longer
refuse me on the grounds she formerly
| urged. l had, in spite of all my efforts,
! quite lost sight of Miss Rivers until
saw her by chance here. May beg of
you to put me In communication with
| Lady Rivers at once?''
Lady Rivers answered Mr.. Wal
tiers, lis dead. The young lady is now
! my ward; but in this matter shall use
no coercive authority. 1t will rest. no
doubt. greatly to your satisfaction,
entirely with her to give you your
| answer"
"Ferrier rose. trembling with unex-
pected delight, and held out his hand
to the man who spoke such words of
comfort
She is in the next room," went on
Mr.. Walters, kindly. II will call her."
mo. no, interrupted Prince Charm
ing, hastily. IF you would kindly
! allow me to call her myself. She has
seen Inc across the street. The sur
prise viii not come upon her with too
much of a shock
by all MEANS" said Mr.. Walters,
oblig:cgly. open the folding doors,
draw back the portiers, and you will
| find her,
Meanwhile he obligingly turned his
back and walked to the window. that he
night not be in the way of this con-
slant lovers welcome back to giddy-
headed. good-hearted Gwendo.en.
| Then Ftrrier went to the door, and,
opening it softly. called in a tone
scarcely above whisper:
Sylvia! Sylviar' There was a lady
painting at an easel, but she did not
answer, Sylvia, darling. don't you
see | have come back to you?'
This did not reach Mr.. Walters ears.
Bat he did hear bitter cry as if of
| pain. and then u sound of stifled sobs;
it was a strange greeting to pass be-
tween long severed, still hopeful lovers,
He stood painfully drumming ON the
window for awhile, until he heard a
hasty rush of feet across the landing
and down the stairs. The heavy front
door opened with jerk and closed
with q bang, and he saw his late visitor,
with pale. stricken face, hurry across
the street and enter the house oppo-
site. Then he thought the best thing
he could do was to take his hat and 90
to the British Museum without disturb
| ing the ladies.