Mohave County miner., 1891-01-17
THE PROPOSAL


noon. The day had been dam. ara
doieful and now. at $50. the fog was
~ytng 10 envelop everything VITA its
ssual obstinate density.
Amid the stream Oh hurryine. los.
fiing humanity which swept down tho
strand was man whose face might
nave attracted attention II there had
been any crs In that motley crowd not
wholly cugrossed in selfish interests.
II was fine dark face. beautihai In It's
way. but marked by lines and shadows
-~she face OF maa who was fighting
against the world aud who was losing
the battle and yet a man whose
nature had not been embittered BY
sordid struggles. man wAo had
suffered and grown strong. Such
one was Paul Ferris only he would
have been very much surprised to
have heard u said.
He ptodded along. bis threaaoar
coat buttoued up To the chin, head
bsat eyes fixed on the ground, think
1ng of nothing more or less heroic
than the approaching dinner hour
suppose, though. that even hero
may DO pardoned for being hungry,
: II be has got through the day without
any luncheon. That was the case with
Paul Ferris, at all events. and. conss
quentiy, he was making the best OF
his way homeward, devoutly hoping
that his sister had ordered something
suostsntial for the evening meal.
Presently, he turned of to the right
and passed into one of those short ard
comparatively deserted streets which
run from the Strand TO the Embank-
ment Here ne entered one OF the
row OF lodging-houses aud was soon in
Its dingy sitting-room. with its dismal
hued carpet and upholstery. As he
came In pale-faced girl in a black
gown rose from the couch where she
had been lying and advanced TO meet
him.
You have come al last, Paul.
Yes. little one, and glad to see you
up and looking SO jolly"
The rehearsal was long. was 1t
nots'
''Late7 Ishould say 1t was. Couldn't
even get out TO get some lunch.n
"Poor boyl That was tragical. i
have ordered dinner for 6 o'clock, 90
possess your soul in patience until
then. In the meantime have bit
of news for you"
Ferris threw of his coat and con-
frouted her. mot bad news, child!n
mo. On the contrary"
Good news? Ah. that's something
novel and refreshing. Let's have IL
my good girl--pray DO not keep me in
suspense"
He seated himself by the ireside
and took of his gloves. looking across
at bis sister with somewhat cynical
smile.
10 begin with whom do you think
called here this afternoon?"
"Creditors?"
mo"
"DoctorPn
mo"
my solicitor7"
Wrong again-it was Margaret
Stanhope."
Ferris started and shaded his face
with his hand.
"Well." he asked. after pause.
"what did she want OF youi''
''She was very kind, Paul; incui red |
after you and asked US both to an in
formal dinner on Thursday evening"
"And you accepted?"
''Of course. thought II would be a |
sroat Surely you do not obiect3'
Il cannot object Stella, IL it would
give you pleasure. Yes. We will go |
II fate so wills it.
1T was very kind in her. Paul, TO
look US up. Don't you think so? She
has been In London only a week."
"Yes, Miss Stanhope has always /
been kind--and condescending. Do
you not see, my child, that she would \
make proteges OF us? II Is tbs fashion
nowadays TO patronize beggarly musi:
cians.n
paul. Indignantly, 'ft is not like
you to be such bear. What makes
you speak so? You know it is not
true. How could she patronize usP
Why. we knew her when shs wore
short dresses and played with doll
babies There Is no one In the world
so good and beautiful as Margaret
stanhope, and you know it. And
Pau"
"Well?n
IL have sometimes fancied--"
A prolonged pause.
"Well, out with it What have you
fanciedP
That she cares for you more than
--otbsryise than as mere friend, /
mesn. There is an expression Ia her
eyes when she speaks OF you"
"Good heavensl Stella. you are raw
Ing" interrupted Paul. sprihging up
and regarding her hercely, II forbid
you 70 harbor such thoughts for
moment Miss stauhope is as far re-
moved from me as II she wege Of royal
blood Evidently you do not realize
the difference existing between m