Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1890-12-18

accompaniment
ANever 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 l would shed tear for Paul Fer
ris? Come, we will get ready and go to
Stella, since she cannot 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 recovery
seemed far off and uncertain.
The poor child would fain have been
well. She would talk for hours between
spasms of coughing about the things she
wou'l 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. u message sent to Paul at
Her Majesty's theatre, 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
fiickered and went out.
Toward the last she begged Paul to
sing to her
Something that will make me go to
sleep soon, she said wearily.
And Paul went to the piano in the
adjoining room and touched the keys
softly.
Sorrow and care may meet,
The tempest cloud may low'r
The surge Of sin may beat
Upon life's troubled shore.
God doth his own in safety keep,
He giveth his beloved sleep.
When he had finished he felt light
touch on his shoulder. He turned and
saw Margaret with the tears like rain on
her face.
''She is asleep at last" she said brok-
enly.
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
apart, 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 hemet
her on Regent street She was Just step
ping into her carriage, but she stopped
him and gave him her hand and drew
him aside for few moments conversa-
ton.
Il am glad happened to meet you,"
she said. Il 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 will
talk it over. shall be in until 12.
Good-by, for the present"
When Ferris was shown into Miss
Stanhope's drawing room the next morn
ing he found it deserted. A cheerful
fire was burning in the CRATE, the sun
struggled in through the lace curtains,
and on the window seats 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 a few commonplace remarks evi-
IDENTIFY made an effort to plunge into the
subject weighing on her mind
Il asked you to come here because /
have something to say to you that con-
Germs us both-something | wish to ask
of you," she began.
Anything that | can do for you, Miss
Stanhope. You must know | am yours
to command"
''It is rather difficult for me to tell you
now that you are here" she went on
nervously
''The fact is, Mr.. Ferris, 1 think of
sailing for New York in fortnight, and
T want you to 60 with met" Paul
leaned forward and passed his hand over
his eyes.
"But do not understand" he said,
with puzzled expression.
He could see that she was laboring
under some excitement, that her breath
was coming uncertainty. 1t seemed to
him she was very near tears, although
she was smiling.
Monsieur" she said rapidly in French,
Il have the honor of asking your hand
in marriage for Mile. Stanhope"
1t struck him like blow. 1t blinded
hiIn-took his breath away. He could
not speak, was only conscious that Mar
garet 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?1
He understood at last, and at last he
held her in his arms and kissed her rev
erently.
paul Paulr' she sobbed, ..you must
not think badly of me. | know you love
me. l knew You would not speak. Oh,
my darling, never leave mel VIII you
promise it? Never for day, for an
hour. Paul! Paulr- -MacRae e. Mar
low in brakes Magazine.