The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-09

asked of yourself half-dozcn times,
concerning other young men"
Arthur, out in the hall, standing in
much the same attitude child as
sumcs wheH speaking it's first piece
in school, WINGED, but waited for tho
answer. It came, in serious, thought
full tones, which plainly indicated that
Miss Bernice. also, had considered this
very matter:
"N-no, am sure you misjudge him,
papa. Of course l understand how he
is situated financially, and and all
that. But l am sure he is honest and
honorable, and that hc--he cares for
me very much. There are thousand
ways by which can learn much that
you cannot, and
Yes, yes; l understand. But sup
pose you should put him to the test; do
you think he would come through--uh
-er-unscathed, as it were? Suppose
you, should tell him that l had lost all
your money and mine in unfortunate
spcculation-that we were bcggars, and
had not dollar we could call our own?
Are you afraid to try him?"
There was brief silence. Then:
81 don't like to tell falsehood, papa;
but it would be only white lie,' and
perhaps for the best. Yes, Ill try him
tomorrow night"
That's my dutiful girl. Now run
along and let me work.
There was sound of kiss, and the
pcrspiring young man in the hall has
tened to get out of the house. He
wanted time to think, but the first
thing that entered his head, rs he
reachcd.the sidewalk. was fanciful pic
turc of the petite Miss Field, with her
one hundred and sixty pounds of avoir-
dupois, running along" and he smiled
broadly. Then he walk ed rapidly over
to the next street to catch n cab to his
club, there to hold a pow-wow with
Cross.
On the steps he hcsitated moment
Had I better go back now?" he
thought NO; she won't have her little
tale of woe ready, and might be put out
if call tonight. might give myself
away, too. Better have time to get my
speech prepared" And this astute
young man went in and proceeded to
make himself comfortable.
The next evening, with his usual
light heart and good spirits, he rang the
door bell of the Field mansion. Yes,
Miss Field was in, Peter said. Ferris
went into the drawing-room and sat
down, running rapidly over in his mind
the various tender speeches he had pro-
pared for the emergency. Bcrnice was
a long time coming, he thought, for one
who expected him.
Presently she -slowly-hcav-
lily. Her head bent low over her ample
bosom, and her breath came short and
fast Ferris went forward to meet her,
his arms outstrctchcd. lie was some-
thing of an actor himself, aud he knew
it
"Bernicc! Darling! What is the
trouble with my little girl?' (Another
good stroke. Miss Field liked to Ee
called ''little.')
''Oh Arthur! Arthur! don't know
how to tell yon. 1t is too DREADFUL
Papa"
What! Has your father been"
ooh! no, not that, but-but worse!
Arthur, we are-bcggars!''
And Miss Field, delivering these last
words with wonderful imprcssiveness,
hung her head and sobbcd bitterly be-
hind her lace handkerchief.
Then it was that Ferris, like the
young man of action that he was, put
his arm as far round his fearful fiancec
as possible, and, with some difficulty,
led her to seat and pulled her head
down on his glossy shirt front
He was very, very sorry, as she must
know. But it was nothing. Her father
would rccoup himsc,f-hc had many in
fucntinl friends. AS for her, had she
not him-her Arthur? He would not,
he once interrupted her to say, permit
her, through n sense of false pride, to
cast him off now, when she most need
ed him. No, never!
He had three thousand year 1t
was not much, he knew, but they could
live on it. And did she suppose, for
one instant, that he had expected to
! live Oh his wife's money? No! A thou
sand times, no!
ave will have real quiet little we'd
ding, dearest, and, after it is over, we
will go quietly to our own little cottage
in the suburbs, which you and will
get ready in the meantime, and there
we will be the happiest couple in the
world What! Bcrnice, am l to I'M
derstnnd that you laugh at my cher
ished plans?"
For Bcrnice had leaped to her feet
and was laughing heartily.
NhT, you 1oollSn BOY, was only
teasing you bit. Don't you think I'd
make a good actress? Papa and l
haven't lost a"
Here was Mr.. Ferris opportunity
She had doubted him; oh, cruel blow
If she could not trust him now, how
could she have any faith in him when
they were married? Perhaps. after all,
it were best
And he strobe haughtily to the door,
I{uf This xyoc not mont of Mice y,;o1,l,e