Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-12-17

ing at Kensington.
There came instead a small note
which read as follows:
No. 10 SALISBURY STREET, Oct. 1.-My
Dear Miss Std7,hOpe: My sister is SO very
much worse to-day that it would be inn
possible for us to dine at your home this
evening. She desires me to convey to you
her regret and disappointment
Yours, very sincerely.
PAUL FERRIS.
Margaret received it at luncheon time,
and after she had read it twice or thrice
she turned to her huge mastiff, who was
sitting bolt upright beside her, and thus
addressed him: christopher, | am
afraid your sex is hopelessly obtuse
Now what would you think of a letter
like that, coming from an individual
whom you had known in childhood,
had played with, and squabbed with
hundreds of times?"
Christopher gazed at her fixediy and
solemnly thumped his tail as dirge-
like accompaniment.
Never mind, Christie, you love me,
anyway, don't you dear? There old
man, don't lick my face. You think [
am crying, don't you? but it is not so,
assure you. Why, Christopher, do you
think [ would shed tear for Paul
Ferris? Come, we will get ready and
90 to Stella, since she can not come to
us. An errand of love, my son, with
roses and jasmine for our Offering
There were many such errands of
love in the ensuing week, for Stella
grew weaker day by day, and her re-
coverv seemed far off and uncertain.
The poor child would tain have been
we'll. She would talk for hours between
spasms of coughing about the things she
would go and see, the books she would
read the places she would visit when she
would be better again.
1t was Christmas eve that the end
came. There was a sudden attack of
hemorrhage, message sent to Paul at
Her Majesty's theater, a few hours of
hushed waiting, little struggle--and it
was over. Margaret Stanhope was
there, and it was in her arms that
Stella's life f1ickered and went out.
Toward the last she begged Paul to
sing to her.
Something that will make me go to
sleep SOON" she said YEARLY.
And Paul went to the piano in the adj
joining room and touched the keys
softly.
When he had finished he felt light
touch on his shoulder. He turned and
saw Margaret with the tears like rain on
her face.
"Sae is asleep at last" she said.
brokenly.
When Margaret had done what she
could she went away and Paul did not
see her for months.
1t was better SO, he told himself. Her
way was not his. Their paths lay far
ape TT and he could not attempt to bridge
the gulf between them. And so life
went on for him DULY, drearily, with
never break in the monotony until
spring came. Then one morning he
lust stepping into her carriage, but she
him and gave him her hand,
and drew him aside for few moments
81 am glad [ happened to meet you,"
she said. II wished to speak to you on
on matter of business. 1t is favor
am going to ask of you.
'No; do not be SO rash as to grant it
beforehand, but promise to come to the
house tomorrow morning, and we viii
talk it over I shall be in until II
o'clock. Good-by, for the present"
When Ferris was shown into Miss
drawing-room the next
he found it deserted. A cheer
full fire was burning in the CRATE, the
sun struggled in through the lace cur
Iains, and on the windowseats boxes of
snow drops were lifting their delicate
heads to receive the warm rays.
Margaret appeared very shortly and
greeted him with her usual frank kind
iness. She asked him to be seated,
and after few commonplace remarks,
made an effort to plunge into
-1,oo
II asked you to come here because [
have something to say to you that con-
Germs us something that I wish to
ask of you," she began.
Anything that [ can do for you, Miss
Stanhope. You must know [ am yours
to command"
at is rather difficult for me to tell
you now that you are here" she went
On, nervously.
THE fact is, Mr.. Ferris, think of sail
ng for New York in fortnight, and
want you to 60 with me p
Paul leaned forward and pressed his
hand over his eyes.
"But | do not understand" he said,
with puzzled expression.
He could see that she was laboring
lnder some her breath
was coming uncertainty. 1t seemed to
him she was very near tears, although
she was smiling.
Monsieur" she said rapidly in
French. 81 have the honor of asking
your hand in marriage for Mile. STAN
hope"
1t struck him like blow. 1t blinded
him-took his breath away. He could
not speak = was only conscious that
was kneeling beside his chair
with her hands on his arm-that her
face was upturned, grave and tender.
paul. she whispered, 81 love you.
Will you marry me ?"
He understood at last, and at last he
5ook her in his arms and kissed her
reverently.
The Queens Wealth.