, 1891-03-24

what ne was 1 wanted ner 10 come
into the parlor with me; but no, she
would go home first and dress; but she
promised TO be back to tea.
1 disliked Godfrey, yet 1 was glad to
see him, My mental faculties were
rusting for want of attrition. Father
would not quarrel with me. and Mary
was my only face card. l could not
throw her away. Besides, l liked to see
his @raat, handsome figure in the room.
He was 81 full Of life that he seemed to
vitnlize even the chairs and stools; they
tumuled about and got out of the way in
the strangest name l told him about
Mary Lacelles. and warned him that he
would lose his heart. He gravely told
me he had none to lose.
Imagine six feet two inches of man
hood without a hearth
We waited tea for Mary, but she did
not come till quite dark, and we had be-
gun tea. She said she had been detained
by company, but l knew better than
that. She was dressed with reference
to candle light effect, and would not lose
its influence on her first appearance. !
never saw her look so lovely. Her rose
colored dress, with its broad simmer.
ing bands of white silk, wonderfully en-
HANGED her charms. Godfrey looked de-
lighted, and she gave him the full bene-
fit of both her upward and downward
g~lances.
When tea was over l left the room a
few minutes, and when | came back
found Godfrey and Mary sitting oppo-
site each other, with the chessboard be
tween them as an excuse for Irritation.
Tl,a r,,,y-a hal hoo, co r.-sT 4l.+ I r-a-
astonished, and a little angry, too; and
father did not improve matters by whis-
pering rs passed his chair:
'Checkmated, Olive!"
1t was not a pleasant evening to me,
and it was the beginning Of many un-
pleasant ones.
Glow it came let doctors ter " but l
began to like Geoffery just as soon as he
began to like Mary. l called up pride to
the rescue, but it did not help me much,
and l suffered n good deal in watching
Geoffrey's attentions to Mary and listen
ing to her prattle about him. Thought
her supremely silly, and | told her so.
She was astonished at my petulance, but
L don't think the suspected the truth.
Only father did that. and he looked so
Serve you right, miss" that l longed
for him to be a woman for an hour or so.
that might talk back to him.
One day, after Godfrey had been a
month with us, a riding party was pro-
posed to the top of the mountain. Faith
er and l, Geoffrey and Mary-that would
be the order, Of course, and l was pre-.
pared for that; but there is a last straw
in every burden, and my last straw was
this incident: They were mounted and
waiting for me, when Mary dropped her
glove. From my window | saw eoffrey
pick it up, put it on the hand laid so
confidingly in his, and then kiss it. At
ter that l wa not going to ride for king
nor kaiser. l sent a positive refusal to
all entreaties, and as soon as they were
out of sight INDUCED in n good, refresh
ing cry. l cried myself to sleep, and
woke about dusk with a new born pur-
pose in my heart which comforted me
wonderfully, the keynote of which was,
"She stoops to conquer" Yet | did not
dress again. knew they were to take
tea at Mr.. Lacelles', so | threw my dress
ing gown around me, and taking a novel
in my haad, | ordered a cup of strong
tea and went into the sitting room. As
| walked in at one door, Godfrey walked
in at the other.
IL came to take You to Mr.. Lacelles',
Olive" he said.
"How do you propose doing it, sir?
For unless you bind me hand and foot,
and get a couple of darkies to tote me
there, l really don't think you will sue
ceed.'
81 could carry you myself"
could you. don't think you would
enjoy the journey"
"Will you dare me to do it?'
mot tonight. 1 should like to insure
my life first"
"Olive, you have been crying"
81 have not, sir" Indignantly. and
if I have, what is that to your reproach-
fully.
"a great deal. Oh, Olive. you teas
ing, provoking, bewitching little mortal!
How often must | tell you 1 love you?
How often must ask you to marry me?'
at is not six month"; since the last
time, Godfrey"
II don't care; it seems like six years.
And, oh, Olive, You know that you love
me-"
81 do not"
You have loved me ever since you
were s years old
Il have not"
"Now you must take me forever or
leave me forever tonight. have asked
you three times before"
"Four times, sir"
"Well, four times, then. Odd mum.
bers are lucky; here is the fifth time.
You know what l want, Olive-your
promise to be mine. Is it to be2 Now
or never!'
suppose every one has IL good angel.
Niue must have been at its post Just
then, for a strange feeling Of humility
and gentleness came over me. | glanced
up Mt the handsome face all aglow with
loves divine light; at the eyes full of
gracious e%ntreaty; at the arms half
stretched out to embrace me. Yet pride
struggled hard with love. l stood up ST.
lent and trembling, quite unable to ac-
knowledge myself T%anquished until /
saw him turn away grieved and sorrow
full. Then | said:
"Geoffrey, come back; it is now"
THAT is the way l said YES and l
have never been sorry for it. If / live
TO be as old as Methuselah l shall never
be a meek woman; but still | suit
Geoffrey, and take more kindly to his
authority than | ever did to paternal
rule. Father laughs with sly triumph
at Geoffrey's victory, and he sent me as
a wedding present Il handsome o of
"The Tanning of the Shrew. Amelia
f. Barr IN New York Ledger.