The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-09
THE PROPOSAL.

sity.
Amid the stream of hurrying, jostling
humanity which swept down the Strand
was a man whose face might have at
tracted attention if there had been any
one in that motley crowd not wholly en-
crossed in selfish interests. 1t was a
fine, dark face, beautiful in its way, but
marked by lines and shadows-the face
of man who was fighting against the
world and who was losing the battle,
and yet a man whose nature had not been
imbittered by sordid struggles, q man
who had suffered and grown strong.
Such one was Paul Ferris. only he
would have been very much surprised to
have heard it said.
He ploddcd along, his threadbare coat
buttoned up to the chin, head bent, eyes
fixed on the ground, thinking of nothing
more or less heroic than the approaching
dinner hour. Isuppose, though, that even
hero may be pardoned for being hun
CRY if he has got through the day with
out any luncheon. That was the case
with Paul Ferris, at all events, and con-
sequently he was making the best of his
way homeward, devoutly hoping that his
sister had ordered something substantial
for their evening meal. Presently he
turned off to the right, and passed into
one of those short and comparatively de-
serted streets which run from the Strand
to the embanl1ment. Here he entered
one of the row of lodging houses and
was soon in its dingy sitting room, with
its dismal hued carpet and upholstery.
AS he came in pale faced girl in black
gown rose from the couch where she had
been lying and advanced to meet him.
"You have come at last, Paul"
"Yes, little one, and glad to see You
mp and looking so jolly"
"The rehearsal was late, was it not!'
Late? I should say it was. Couldn't
even get out to get some lunch"
Poor boy. That was tragical, I have
ordered dinner for o'clock, so possess
your soul in patience until then. In the
mean time have bit of news for you. ~
Ferris threw off his coat and con-
fronted her. "Not bad news, child?"
W. Ou tilc COuIluTy.
Good news? All, that's something
novel and refreshing. Let's have it, my
good girl-pray, don't keep me in sus-
pense."
He seated himself by the fireside and
took off his gloves, looking across at his
sister with somewhat cynical smile.
"To begin with, who do you think
called here this afternoon?"
"Creditors!"
"No."
"Doctor?'
"No."
"My SOLICITOR"
Wrong again-it was Margaret STAN
hope"
Ferris started and shaded his face
with his hand.
"Well," he asked, after a pause,
"What did she want of your"
"She was very kind, Paul; inquired
after you, and asked us both to an in.
formal dinner on Thursday evening""
"And you acceptedY
"Of course; l thought it would be a
treat Surely you do not obj.cty'
S"hhoo obJCSo, OCcildt, IL III would
give you pleasure. Yes. We will 20 if
fate so wills it,
''It was very kind in her, Paul, to look
us up. Don't you think so? She has
only been in London week"
Yes, Miss Stanhope has always been
kind and condescending. Do you not
see, my child, that she would make
proteges of us? 1t is the fashion nova
days to patronize beggarly musicians"
Paul." Indignantly, lit is not like
you to be such bear. What makes you
speak SO? You know it is not true. How
could she patronize us? Why, we knew
her when she 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 Paul.
"Well?"
81 have sometimes fancied'-
A prolonged pause.
well, out with it. What have YOU
fancied?"
THAT she cares for you more than
otherwise than as mere friend, mean.
There is an expression in her eyes when
she speaks of you
"Good heavens Stella, you are raw
ing" interrupted Paul, springing up and
regarding her fiercely. 81 forbid you to
harbor such thoughts for a moment.
Miss Stanhope is as far removed from
me as If she were of royal blood. Evi-
IDENTIFY you do not realize the difference
existing between an heiress and penni-
less concert singer. p
"But Paul." interrupted Stella in her
turn, you must not forget you are a
gentleman born, and our families were
friends in the years gone by"
"a gentleman repeated Paul, disre-
sarding the last clause in her sentence.
Yes, the son Of an obscure curate, a
vagabond by adoption. And am to
WOO dear Lady DisdainY Good Godl
You drive me mad"
Stella watched him blankly for mo