Mohave County miner., 1891-01-17

Margaret received r al luncheon
time, ana AFTER she had read 1t twice
of thrfee she turned to her huge mas
sin, who was sitting bolt upright be-
side her. and thus addressed him,
Christopher, am afraid yeur SEX Il
hopelessiy obtuse. Nov, what would
you think ef letssf like that coming
from sa individual whom you had
known In childhood, had played with
and squabbled with hundreds Of
times7'i
Christopher gased vt her sxedly and
solsmuV Nampea his tail as dirge-
like accompaniment.
mNever mind. Christie, you love
me, anyway, don't you, dear2 There,
old man, don't lick my face. YSh
think Pam cryiGs, des'. scas bat il is
not so, ] sssare you. Why, Christie
pheA do you think 1 would shed tear
for Paul Ferris? Come, we will ~o.
ready and go 70 Stella. sirre abe can
not come to u. An errand OF love,
my sec, with roses and jasmine for
our Offering"
There were many such errands OF
love In the ensuing week, for Stella
grew weaker day by day, and her
recovery seemed far Of ana uncer tain.
The poor child would fain have been
we'll She would talk for hours be-
tween spasins Of coughing about the
things she would 20 and see, the
books she would read. the places she
would visit when sha would be better
again.
1t was Christmas eve that the end
came. There was sudden attack OF
hemorrhage, message sent 70 Paul
at Her Maiesty's Theatre. few hours
OF hushed waiting. a little struggle
and 1t was over Margaret Stanh hope
was there and 1t was in her arms that
Stella's life hickered and went out
Toward the last she begged Paul TO
sing 70 her.
something that will make me go
TO sleep soon," she said YEARLY.
And Paul went 10 the piano in the
adjoining room and touched the keys
softly.
When he had finished he felt light
touch on his shoulder. He turned and
saw Margaret with the tears like rain
on her face.
She Is asleep at last" she said
brokenly.
When Margaret had done what she
could she went away and Paul did
not SEQ her for months
IL was better SO. he told himself
Her way was not his. Their paths lay
far apart and he could not attempt 70
bridge the gulf between them. And so
lie went on for him duly. dreartly.
with never a break In the moa otony
until spring came. Then one morning
he met her on Regent street. She was
just stepping into her carriage but she
stopped him and gave him her hand.
and drew him aside for a few moments
II am glad | happened TO meet you"
she said. Il wish 70 speak 70 you on
--on q matter Of business. Il Is q
favor am going to ask Of you
No; do not be so rash as TO grant 1t
beforehand but promise TO come to
The house tomorrow morning. and we
will talk II over. / shall be ia until
L. Good-by. for the present"
When Ferris was shown into Miss
drawing-room the next
he found 1t deserted. A
cheerful fire was burning Ia the CRATE,
lbe sun struggled through the lace
curtains. and on the window seats
boxes OF snow drops were lifting their
delicate heads to receive the warm
rays
Margaret appeared very shortly. and
greeted him with her usual frank kind
hess She asked him to be seated, and
after q few commonplace remarks. evil
iently made an effort to plunge into
he subject weighing on her mind.
ii asked you 10 come here because
have something 10 say 10 you that
us both--something Iwish 10 |
ask you," she began.
Anything that / can do for you,
Miss Stanhope. Ycu must know I |
I'm yours 10 command"
1T is rather difficult for me 10 tell
Tou now that you are here" she went
IN, nervously.
The fact is, Mr. Ferris, ! think OF
iailing for New York In q fortnight
.nd-I want you to go with mew Paul !
eaned forward and passed his hand
'yer his eyes.
But do not understand" be said.
Tith a puzzled expression.
He could see that she was laboring
inder some excitement that her
breath was coming uncertainty. 1t
eemed 70 him she was very near tenrs,
Il;hough she was smiling.
Monsieur" she said. rapidly, Ia
french. IL have the honor OF asking
'our hand in marriage for Mll Stan
rope"
IL struck him like blow. Il blinded
iim-took his breath away. He could
lot speak; was only conscious that
Margaret was kneeling beside his
hair with her hands on his arm.
That her face was upturned, grave