The morning news., 1889-05-05

'And what is moreg" asked Mrs. Dixon
casting down her eyes
We'll, wife for one thing, oh"
"A devoted wife is certainly something. Z"
"a great deal to my mind. Come, Mrs.
Dixon, went on the colonel valiantly, ris-
ing and standing before her, "I'm man Of
few words, YOU know but if You are will
ing TO cast in your lot with mine, we'll I'm
agreeable ~ and he held out his hand
do you really mean thism said Mrs.
Dixon, putting her hand into his
"Of course, | really mean it. There
Will you marry me! That's plain enough,
isn't ltln
And you really care for mel Care for
myself alonen
Certainly; what else do you suppose l
want 10 mary you for"
"Then-then ! am very happy" mur-
! INJURED Mrs DixOa; and tine colonel felt il
behooved him to bend down and kiss her,
and thus the compact was sealed.
shall our engagement be a long onel' she
asked, modestly before he quilted her
apartments.
Dom sec any good in waiting he an
swered, and as also saw no reason for
delay, they agreed TO be married in u
mon h,
But when Col. Forth returned to his own
house lie felt reStle and uncomfortable.
Mrs. Dixon had accepted him, had de-
but she had not said a single word about
her fortune, and money mad never been
mentioned between them.
still, there can be no doubt" he re-
fected, uleasily and he also red acted that
most unpleasant business lay before him,
as he would be forced to tell MS daughters
of his engagement.
He screwed up his courage two davs later
to go over to Sudiey to tell Frances and
Col. kenA on, rs Mrs. Dixon had expressed
a strong wish that he ould do SO.
GU see, c louel,' she had said, "it
places me in a false position, as it were,
your coming hero without either my frie dis
or YOUR children knowing we are to be mar
ried;' and the colonel saw there was good
sense in her words. So he went to SudIey,
as Frances and her. husband had now re-
turned there He found bis old friend out,
but his beautiful daughter was sitting
charmlugly dressed in her drawing room,
and did not look very well pleased when her
father walked i'll.
"The,e is nothing the matter, is therew
she said, quickly. "Audley is not worseF'
lieve," an'weret Col. Forth, who was
feeling far from happy. 80 Kenyon's out,
is hem
eyes. he's out shooting"
"Well. I've got bit of news for YOU,
that's he truth said the colonel, with a
great effort. aud with a sort Of spasnodic
smile; Il suppose you'll thiak | am making
fool of myself, but | am going TO be mar
riei again"
Not Mrs. Dixon surely" asked Frances,
sharply.
why not Mrs. Dixon9 She's a good
looking woman VITA a good fortune
81 d)n't believe much IN her fortune; in
fact, dom believe in il at all if she were
rich She would not live as she does, it's all
nonsens ~
'OI, but it's not; know it is mott
How eau you knowl You don't surely
believe al the folly Mr.. Applebv talks"
Il believe in my own eyes" answered
Col. Forth, hotly, ana thrown Off his
guard BY Frances persi stency; 81 tell you
I've seen the will her late husbands VIII,
and he Left her twenty thousand pouudsw
Frances listened, looked at her father,
and then laughed aloud.
well" she said, scoflingly, "you were
quite right; if ] had been going to marry
Mrs Dixon 1 sh ould have seen the will first
too.'
Du ~,