The morning call., 1891-07-20

| that you never proposed to her at all, and
| that she has betrayed the secret of her
| heart to man who cares nothing for her In
| return"
| "Oh. can't do that"
Or you can accept the situation and make
| her your wife. 1t would be a chivalrous ac-
ton, Glendower, but you must not wreck
your own happiness to secure that of any
| woman"
| Theyoung man thought for few moments
| and then he said:
| Il have decided. Margaret. will accept
the situation on one condition"
What is that?"
| Ihat you promise me never by word or
mint to let Elsie know that the proposal OF
| marriage did not emanate from me.
Il promise you, Glendower. You may
| rely on me-"
~ know it. Ny fate is decided then, and l
shall go to see Miss Morris this afternoon"
ana you are sure the step will not make
Il don't see how it should! l am not in
love with any other woman. and l don't
| think l shall find it difficult to love her.
anyway, the alternative would be impossi-
BILE to me. so have no choice. So wish me
| luck In my wooing, Margeret!'
Il wish you the luck you deserve, my dear
brother and that will be an overlooking
cup; replied Lady Margaret. fondly.
1hat afternoon as Lord Glendower was
walking through the park to Mr.. Morris
house ne encountered Gertrude Bedintield.
She was looking brilliant and dashiDg and
somewhat bold, and he attempted to avoid
her, but she would not let him do SO.
Nellie and have just come from seeing
Miss Morris. We can't think what's come
to her. She is quite rosy and excited-so
unlike her usual manner-and seems on the
tp-toe OF expectation. Can you enlighten
us as 10 the meaning of 1t all ?"
"How should l be able to account for it?"
he answered. II have not seen Miss Nor
ris for a week"
Indeed! l thought you were there
every day." said Gertrude, inquisitively.
Then Glendower remembered what he
was about to pledge himself to, and feared
lest this rather pushing young lady might
put some mlsconstructien On his words af-
terward, SO he plum ged bodily into the
subi-ct.
1t IS true that have not seen Elsie for
week, he replied; "but it does not fol-
low that | have not heard from her. 1 am
going there now. L trust that the appear
ance you describe may be due to the fact
that she IS expecting me. l suppose she
did not tell you the news?"
mo. What news?'
THAT she anc are engaged TO be married
to each other"
Gertrude Bednfeld started back with q
lace full OF incredulOuS amazenent.
Engaged she exclaimed, engaged; but
since when?"
. All! that is our secret" he replied gayly,
''bnt it is true"
Il cannot understand it." continued Ger
trude, SO astounded at finding her practical
joke had ended so differently from what She
had anticipated that she almost betrayed
herself. I'VE saw her on Monday, and She
didnt say anything about it, and again to-
day"
I'VE don't tell you everything, you see,"
exclaimed the Earl. But | must say good
by" and with touch of his hat he was
gone, but not until his suspicious mad been
directed by Miss Bedinfed's manner to the
right quarter. He found Elsie, palptatiug
ana blushing at his approach-half longing
and half dreading To be brought face to face
with him-and yet full of reverental Joy
when he folded her in his arms aud gave
her the first kiss that sealed their betrothal.
"Oh, Glendower," She whispered to him
presently, when some of her first shyness
am so proud-So pleased-so happy.
When your dear letter arrived"
When did it arrive, Elsie?'
On tuesday mornlng-so unexpectedly,
ana when was so miserable. For l must
tell you the Bednfields were here on Mon
day, and Gertrude seemed to have found
out that-that-I cared for you, and she
loked me about it and made me feel so hu-
inflated and ashamed. l never thought it
could be followed by this great joy"
, Ei,sir, l nave a request to make Of you.
good form. viii you give them up?"
"Certainly-if you wish it. l don't like
them either. They offended me very much
Though nov" she added with shy smile,
II can afford to forgive them"
Perhaps. But we Will not cultivate
them, dear. When you know my sister
who will be like mother TO you. Elsie
you Will see what n vast gulf lies between
her and such women as they are. And so l
have really won this innocent little heart
for my, own. l am proud of my conquest,
Elsie"
ION, no. 1t is for me to be proud, Glen
dover. cannot imagine how you ever
came to think OF making me your wife"
And 10 the end of her happy married life
Lady Gendower never did imagine it.
Glendower was true to his chiyalrous
trust, and no one but Lady Margaret and
himself ever knew that it was not by his
own choice that he had gained a loved and
loving wife.-Spare Moments