Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-03-25

-@N- ~'Ao AAuo R'SSSuSV VI iniuu 10 slgnlty
firmly that he was not only adamant in
that respect, but even iridium.
.'Well, 1 like a Determined man." ad.
mitted Rose. with an admiring glance at
his sufficiently assertivc chin; "aud if
you are determined, 1 want to ask YOU
to allow me to CHOOSE my own pres
cnt."
with pleasure" exclaimed George
"That is awfully nice of you" said
Rose; shut be sure to remember not to
got anything until you hear from me. L
will let You know in good time. Must
you really go nowf' she asked; for
George, with the fortuitous absent mind
edness of a truly bashful man, had placed
his hand over hers on the knob of the
door. "Good. night, then" she said, ms
1T yielded to their united efforts, and
George found himself standing outside
| on the steps. He raised his hat rs the
door closed gently,as if it were reluctant
to shut him out from her presence.
That night George drew some prclimi-
nary sketches of the Spanish chateau,
that were full of detail as to the chate.
laine, but hazy as to tho stairways.
After that, he saw Rose quite often
before it was time for the green wreaths
to hang in the parlor windows; but she
always said that she was not yet ready to
tell him what kind of present she
wanted. 1t was not until Christmas Eve
that he received little note hastily
scrubbed on the back of visiting card
DEAR GEORGE: find that have neg.
iected to give you the information prom
| lsed. But it doesn't matter. We have goue
to the country for our winter outing, and
| mother wants mo to ask you to join us for
/ as many days as you can spare from bust
ness. hope you.wil come and give me o
chance to keep my promise.
Sincerely yours,
| ROSE.
George accepted tho invitation with
alacrity. lie put an "Out of Town"
sign on his office door, and left the big
building to its own devices.
! On New Years morning Rose suggest.
cd ride to Sunset Hill, one of the widest
and most picturesque spots i'll the neigh
borhood; and, alter the horses were
brought around to the door, they sci
out together through the bright, frosty
air. They rode halfway up the hill and
then dismounted and, leaving their
horses tied to n bar-post, followed n
rough foot-path to the summit.
Rose stood close to George, looking
far out over fields and woods and groups
of cottages, aud gazing with thoughtful
eyes on the Sound, where the snow-cov.
cred ice-cakes glistened in the morning
sun. The strong wind rushed through
the trees and pressed her closer to him.
He steadied her with very unsteady
hands.
"What wreck am" she said ,as she
put back Il brown tress which strayed
across her face. "Oh, nearly forgot
to tell you about my present. Frankly,
would you mind giving ring to me2"
Georges face fell, rs he returned
''what kind of ring2 You have SC
many of them; and wanted to give you
something original"
"a ring would be very original, from
you;" and she smiled demurely; land ]
fancy Il plain turquoise would be the
proper thing, now. Here, you may
measure my finger; the third, please. u
And drawing off her glove, she slipped
a warm, little left hand into his.
"The third! Why, that is the en-
gagement tinger!' exclaimed George, ms
the air assumed for him the balmy mild
ness of an Indian summer.
"You SAID it yourself, George Schuy.
lerl' she cried, with n brave attempt to
be saucy; but her voicc was timid and
choked, as she rested her delicate head
lightly against his shaggy coat; and, now,
you can never tell any one proposed to
you, even if-eyen if this Is Leap.
year. Puck.