The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-06-12

when Jack, who sat on stool at her
feet, said:
How much do you care for nae?''
We'll that's rather difficult ques-
ton to answer" was the reply.
Enough to marry -me?" he nervously
asked
Possibly, if you desired to have me
do so.''
Il have long loved you, and your con-
sent to be my wife Will make me the
happicst of men"
1t is yours"
They scaled their engagement with 4
kiss and then made arrangements for
the marriage in the near future
The following morning he said co Mr.
Thomas purant:
II have acted according to your al
vice of yesterday afternoon and shall
DC married one month from to-day"
Please accept my congratulations
and best wishes for your happiness"
Mr.. Durunt returned grasping his
clerks hand
Thank you" returned Jack, looking
down.
Il think it is advisable for u newly
married couple 10 begin housekeeping
as soon as possible" Mr.. Durant OBJ
Il
ment on Adams street which IL vacant
and you may occupy il, free OF rent, as
long as you wish"
Jack managed ~ articulate: Il thank
you but the generous offer from one
whose confidence it seemed to him he
had shamcfullF abused made him feel
decidedly uncomfortable.
Perhaps" he said, after moment
4
me Will cease when you know the name
of my ailianced"
1T is Alice Benton, is it not?"
''Ycs"
Il think Il win be an excellent
match"
Jack was surprised at Mr.. Durant's
words, and presently, with tears of
modification in his eyes and quivering
lips, confessed to having reasl the note
which Mr.. Durant had written to Miss
Benton, asked forgiveness for the an
manly act, adding:
1T was contemplate for me to ask
her to become my wife last evening
when / lInc1g that you intended TO ask
her To marry you this evening"
Mr.. Durant shook with laughter and
then he said, placing his hand on Jacks
shoulder: Supposedly, everything is
fair in love and war"
'.As you have never known" he con-
tinued, Alice is my ward; a sister
could not be dcarcr to me
For "A long time have been aware
of her intense love for you and believed
that you fully rcciprocated it. \ thor
ough acquaintance with your charac-
ter assured me thai you would made
her II desirable husband, and l planned
to have You propose to her sooner than
You were likely to-by reason of your
b;Ishfulness.
My matrimonial chat Yesterday was
intended to convey to you the impress
sion that | proposed becoming Il bcne-
diet; the note to Alice, which went
from my pocket into the fire, was left
on my table that you might get a
glimpse of il. which would lead you to
read il in full and, having read. TO
think her the object of my alteration
and forcstall me in securing her for a
wife.
Il slightly feared that you might sus-
pect the part ! was playing-as "a man
of my years is not likely to allow such
missivc as the note apparently was
to carclcSSly remain where his rival
can see it-and you probably would
have done so but for the excited mental
condition in which you were.
"'Alls well that ends wfl,' how
ever
Il thank You for bringing me to my
senses" Jack responded, and nc was
prevented from saying anything fur
thcr with reference to the matter in
hand by the entrance into the office of
the junior member of the frm--De-
trOit Sun.