The Press., 1890-07-24

a place in his thoughts, to be hard to win, and aprecious prize in consequence.
 October had come, however, and Robin had not given me an opportunity to say yes or no.
 The weather was beautiful never shah forget how blue the sky was, and how the gorgeous autumn trees blazed in the sunlight on the day that Rose Eliza declared thatshe would ''have company" before the leaves changed.
 'E have friends" she said, ''who live too far away to come for day. I shall give. @ house party as they call it in English novels. and you shall write the invitations"
 wrote them, and the last Cousin Rose Eliza said, as though it were an afterthought: sThere are so many ladies and so few lnen we'll ask MT. Barrymore, sthough he is at the hotel near by."
 wrote the invitation in Miss Tfin's narne and while was writing it knew perfectly well that the house party was given to bring my tardy love affair to climax.
 We had very jolly time. Mir. Barrymore made great impression on the young ladies, yet offered me his devoted attention. was fond of him. loved him more fondly every day, and at last one afternoon, when we had been upon a walking expedition to our great marvel, Diamond cave, where the stalactitasi hung from the roof in myriads, and there was an echo that frightened people, he com trived to finger behind the others, and to keep me with him. M
 II can hold my peace no longer, Miss Fay" he said. "I have loved you more than can say ever since knew you. But until IFhad some assurance that you cared for me did not speak. Of late have fancied that your feelings were what wished them to be, and have hope Do you love me just little, Gracep'
 Did love him?
 It was the worst thing that he could have said to me. I could no more answer yes to that than could have confessed to g crime. and it gave me such chance to answer "No," and did it.
 dear me, no" and ran away. joined the rest of the party. Robin Barrymore did not follow me- After the cave we went to the waterfall. After that we had lunch.
 All the girls were wondering where MT. Barrymore was So was I, but did not say 90. We went home. Cousin Rose Eliza had not accompanied us. She had remained at home to oversee the preparation of supper. When entered the dining room she sat at the head of the table, but Robin was not there, nor was any place kept for him.
 Oh, how long it seemed before all those people went to bed and I was alone with my
  drawn all the portieres close and put out all the lights but one students lamp with a dark green opaque shade. Then she sat down in her armchair and said:
 Come here, Grace take that little otto man and tell me everything, just as if was your mother"
 ''Rose Eliza," said I, first answer me, have you seen himg"
 Him." said my cousin, ''is Robin Barry more, of coursel"
 ''Have you seen hima" repeated.
 "Just a minute," said Rose Eliza. 'sHe came to say good-by. He is going to Europe. He will reside there in future. There is a lovely French lady-you know how mar riages are arranged in France-her father has made proposals; of course he will marry her. It all came in the way of conversation, but he looked pale, and I fancied you had said that no of yours"
 "Then he is goneg' said I.
 Forever" i" said my cousin.
 'sForever?" repeated. ssAnd might have kept him. Oh, Rose Eliza, have spoiled my whole lifel"
 ''What did you do it forq" asked Miss Tifin.
 ''I-I couldn't help it," said L He asked me if loved him. It wasn't the right way. said, Of course not Any self respecting girl would" @
 Mot if she cared for a man" said Rose Eliza. ''I,m an old maid, but wouldn't. l never cared for any of those who asked me, so I said No from my heart, and no doubt that is why you said no after all"
 stOh, no, no, mol Rose Eliza," l sobbed. "He was all the world to me, and now he is gone foreverl"
 And I began to cry piteously.
 'Ah!" said my cousin, Robin Barrymore isn't one to come back after being once re- fused'-
 "Yes, he is," said voice behind the por- tiere. "And to go on his knees and to ask her, yes, too. Grace, my darling, forgive me. y
 And there was Robin, and he took me in his arms
 "Bless you, my children" said Rose Eliza, with giggle. "You see, Grace, when Robin came back looking as if the world had come to an end, and began to pack, just up and told him that knew what was the matter. and that I'd prove to him that you were fond of him. don't think I ever did . better thing in my life. didn't want any more Springy Ricketts in the village, and I feel proud of that French lady and her father. For first original fb they were splendid Guess I'll go and lock up now"
 She went. When she came back was sitting on the sofa with Robins arm about my waist, and he had asked me if loved him twenty times, and twenty timesI had said yea-Mary Kyle Dallas in Preside Companion.