The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20
could not help laughing at the serious

i
way in which he discussed the subject.
Il am sorry to disappoint you" said ].
"but Miss Weldon and are mot marrying
people. For myself. cannot afford matri-
mony.",
that / was foolish enough to think So"
1t was plain that my host was man of
nervous temperament He could not sit
still while considering this subject evil
rose, folded his arms and looked at me
steadily for fully minute. As he gaZed
at me his eyes seemed to grow brighter and
larger: ...;o,
proposition to you. founded on what you
and Miss Weldon said about this part of the
country, and how much you liked IT.. L
considered it one of the happlest thoughts
had ever had
What was it'll" I asked, good deal
shall be glad to hear 1t, whether can ac-
cept it or not"
"All right" said the Major, seating him
self with decision, you shall have it.
will make the proposition in the common
sense, straightforward manner In which
intended to make 1t. For over ten months
i have been kicking and Tuning at being
obliged to live here in this lonely house.
Tonight said to myself, over and over
again. what would give. if these two
come here and live IN this house, And
then l said, why shouldn't theyi
He's q landscape painter, and they
wOuld want to live somewhere in the CONN.,
try, and are not likely to find any place
more beautiful than this. Now. perhaps.
that's just what they want and what they
are looking for, and the best thing you can
do is to make them the offer without loss
of time. While / was thinking of this my
spirits went up to about hundred in the
hut xr-h toll not
an engaged couple. down they went. don't
know how far"
What did you intend to offer," l asked.
Offer" he said. everything. INTENDED
to put at your disposal, as soon after you
married as you pleased. the handsomest
room in the house. second floor front, with
beautiful flower garden in summer di-
rectly under the side window. / would
have given you the run of this house, read
ing-room and every thing. and made You
feel at home If the lady is a musician
would have bought a new piano. If you
are fond of driving or riding my stables
should have been at your service. / have
to pay men TO exercise the horses, and 1t
would be favor to me to have you do some
OF 1t. Moreover. have a carriage-h house on
the other side of my garden which do not
use. and / would have fitted 1t up as q
studio for you, with big north light and
all cOnveniences. Then again. if you would
have liked to come here to spend your
for month and let you have it all to your
selves. For the accommodations / should
have offered you should have charged you
no more than what your living would cost
me. Certainly not over seven dollars a
week each. For the rent of my studio l
should have asked you one landscape paint
ing every year"
| was most cheerfully impressed by the
project thus laid before me-
my dear SIR" l exclaimed. you are
generous indeed. Will you make me the
same offer if bring some other lady here
as my wife"
mo, sir.n cried the Major, striking his
knee with his broad hand, mo sir. l will
not j know all about Miss Weldon, and
have formed a great fancy for her. l will
run DO risk with outside and unknown
women"
So saying he rose abruptly to his feet.
walked to window. raised the shade and
looked ont into the night / remained gaZ-
ing into the cheerful ire. The enthusiasm
of this man had had powerful effect upon
me. was actually thinking what de-
Hghtful thing it would be to marry Miss
Weldon.
1t was not the first time that this thought
had come into my mind, but it had always
been promptly expelled. AS told my host,
was not marrying man. at least cODsid-
cred that my financial circumstances gave
/ me no right to be one. But now the state o.
affairs seemed to be entirely changed. Sc
| far as pecuniary considerations were con
cerned, there was no reason why should
| not be married tomorrow. and the percep
| ton of this fact set me in q glow. The
Major now returned to the fire.
Hello" he cried. your face locke as II
You were getting converted"
1T may be that am" said; you are 6
powerful preacher"
! He stepped quickly towards me and
clapped his hands upon my shoulder.
Now he said, ''you are in the righ
road; don't hesitate; don't look to the riph'
or the left; 0On't stop to consider; dom
reason, but 60 straight ahead. and ask tina
young woman to be your wife. The fac,
that you are beginning to- feel converted
shows that you want her, and indeed
should have q very small opinion of you Il
you didn't want her. Ask her to-m MORO "
morning: ask her here in this house before
you 60 into that crowd of Delivers, where
| you will have no chance at all. I'll see Il
| IL that you have every chance here"
| Major" said i, rising, II have the great
est mind in the world to do it. You have
put before me opportunities which l dc
feelings in me that thought were long age
conquered and quieted; you have"
| Now. my dear boy" interrupted tn,
Major. don't say another word. Go Il
your room while you are in this mind. e
to bed and go to sleep. Don't consider
this, or that. or any other thing. Keep your
mind on the one fact that you are going Il
| propose to Miss Weldon in the morning
| Above all, don't think about me. DOM
imagine that perhaps / am not going q
suit your fancies l will give You my WORD
| that If don't suit. OF can't make mysel
suit, I'll clear out. I'll take the risk of oil
| that"
Very good" said 1. "Pll go to my room
| for it is past country bedtime, aud III
| keep my mind Oh the subject you have
brought up before me. But what of that
Regents punch yon were going to brew"
| Not drop, sir, not drop" exclaimed
the Major. "When men want cheering up
and have nothing to do afterward, q glaS.
| of punch on a winter night is a very good
| thing, but in a case like this we want clear
heads Anybo can determine to marry
almost any body if he drinks enough punch
| When l set out to drive 9
pair of horses In storm OF
in a cold, chilly night / never
touch drop of spirits, no matter how
much / may feel that need warming up
| At such times / want to be sharpened. no
comforted. But when / get safely home
| mix myself glass of something hot. Max
ing up your mind at this time Is much NOR,
Important than driving any sort of horses
| IN any kind of weather. The punch car
wait until tomorrow. aud If things turn
out all right Pll brew something out OF til,
common. assure you"
In my bedroom that night gave no tim,
/ to deliberation. Before | babe the Maio
good night had made up my mind TO pro
pose to Miss Weldon.
| CHAPTER IL.
| was down stairs before breakfast tn
next morning and / met the Major jus
coming in from a visit to his stables