The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-08
Again he moved toward he door.

WA AlC- lNot OA-O
Nothing that you would give, Mrs.
Vincent"
Pooh You know very well that I'll
give you anything you ask. / cannot
cannot do without you. What is it you
want ~
YOURSELF"
"Eh? You mean"
That neither as secretary, .protege nor
friend, shall I play piquet with you
again. As your husband will"
God bless my soul :"
To no woman unburied can an Offer be
either long surprising or disagreeable. 1t
was with warmed cheeks and softened
eyes that the widow said:
Do I understand that-that you
love me, Ernest ?"
Mr.. Middles bowed, but averted his
glance.
She sighed, and murmered
All, am rich"
Precisely, Mrs. Vincent You are
rich, you love to play piquet, and 1 am
the best player on the Pacific coast. If
you will marry me, viii play if no.,
not"
"Well ?"
Under the circumstances, 1 do not see
that more can nationally be said"
Cut the cards"
+
Eighteen, golden-haired, slim, suple,
adorable Adele Vincent flashed her
scornful eyes on the visage of Mr.. Mid
dies, who, undisturbed, sat at ease in the
conservatory.
Mrs. Vincent. played solitaire in the adj
joining library, awaiting her afiianced
and piquet.
Why, mamma is old enough to be
your mother, Ernest Middles."
know it"
Your motive in making this mon
strous engagement must be purely mer-
cenary."
Strictly"
And you feel no shame in making
the admission ?"
None"
Faugh ~
Thanks"
For what %
For so well expressing my feel
| ings."
She sank upon lounge, her pretty feet
crossed, covered her face with her little
hands, and her lovely young body was
shaken with sobs.
Don't cry" said Mr.. Middles.
al can't help it. Oh, it is infamous :"
Yes. Still 1 congratulate myself"
Congratulate youself"
Enthusiastically. l have neither the
brains nor energy to conquer a fortune,
therefore l marry one."
You can descend TO that?'
rejoice to find that can. am not
the fool that might be. Many men
quarrel with their luck. discover that
1 am too wise for such folly. Compose
yourself, my dear Adele. I'll be father
toyou."
a father You are but eight years
older than l. Oh, Earnest, consider.
You have been a son to mamma and a
brother to me- We have grown from
childhood together. Papa loved you
Don't, l beg of you, don't make us all RI
diculous -
Ny word is given, Adele. As gen
tleman, l must keep it."
a gentleman, indeed thought you
a man, with mans courage, a mans
honor"
"Oh"
Calm yourself,!"
@Calm yonrselfl You put me to hu-
initiation and sell yourself and your tai
ents for"
The prizes that talent gives years of
conflict to win. 1 get the prizes without
the conflict"
"The brave young man who was to
face the world and achieve ~
4 have outgrown the illusions Of my
youth, Adele"
And you will marry a woman in
whose crazed sight your chief merit is
your skill at piquet ?"
You have said il"
At least you have the decency not to
pretend that you love mamma ?"
love is luxury and luxury is not
for the poor no, ! do not love your
mother love you :"
Ne 2"
have for years"
You-you-neyer-"
Never told you. Why should ?
Would you share poverty with me, Ade-
le? Would /, loving yol, permit you ?
You speak of my talents. l have tried
very hard to use them. They do not
exist"
"And you"
Yes, with my whole heart and soul
Love you ? God 1t is net in me to ex-
press how much p
Pm very glad to hear it," said Mrs.
Vincent, suddenly opening the library
door.
Mamma :"
"One word, Earnest Aiddles. Would
you, as Adele's husband and provided
for, play piquet with me ?"
With pleasure :"
You'd better marry him, Adele, my
child"
"Oh, mamma after what has hap
pened !"
Come, Mr.. Middles, the cards are
waiting"
But I'm neither you, husband nor
your son-in-law, Mrs. Vincent"
So. Adele, make up your mind yes,
or no Evidently it must be one or the
other of us. Now::Mr. Middles, piquet, il
you please"
Not until after the ceremony is over,
madam"
Eternal Vigilance
Is the price of health. But with all our
precaution there are enemies always
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