The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-04

wanted ana ne ieu this one.
Clara was examining t5e flower with
great interest. Il must ind out about
this" she said. Il never saw anything
like it. Just look at this spray with FIVE
great blossoms on il, each of them nearly
three inches in diameter! And what ex-
quisite blending of crimson, pink and
cream. wonder what it is called" She
stopped and read the name OF the plant.
which was written on o wooden label
stuck into the earth of the pot. How
utterly absurd!" she exclaimed, laugh
ing. This perfectly beautiful thing is
named the Reverend Ezekiel Crump."
She laughed again, and Leonard
to waste his time in merriDlent; his mind
was bent on earnest worK. Here was q
chance to speak which he must not lose.
Miss knightley," he sad, ''If you will
accept from me this new AID most beauti-
full flower. it will give me pleasure as new
and beautiful as"
..Oh, you mustn't do it," she cried.
Don't touch it, please. l must ask Mr..
Rinkle about it, or his man, If he isn't
here" And, without further words, she
turned and left the house.
Leanard followed her, disappointed and
annoyed. Miss Knigh,ley,s abrupt man
ner showed him that she did not wish to
give him the opportunity TO speak to her
of the new and beautiful pleasure to which
he had alluded. But he DID not intend to
give up the attempt, and be was quickly
at her side.
There is only one other place they can
be-" she said; ''they must be in the violet
house."
Leonard did not wish 10 hurry to the
violet house, or to any other house where
they might expect 10 find people.
Miss knightiey," said tie. suppose We
go there by this broad walk which leads
around the gardens. That foot path is
very narrow and may be wet"
''Oh, this leads straight to the house."
said she. land that one goes ever so far
around And she Immediately took the
narrow foot walk.
When following a lady along path
wide enough for only one, and bordered
by tall grass and bushes. it is not often
convenient to propose marriage to her,
especially if she be walking very fast. But
Leonard followed Miss knightley reso-
lutely. If it were necessary he would
walk home with her.
This day he would certainly finish what
he had begun to say to her.
Il declare" said Miss knightley, when
she had proceeded nearly To the middle of
the violet house, ''there is nobody here. 1
certainly expected to find some one in this
place"
And most happy am l.. said Leonard,
stepping close to her, THAT there is no.
body here; for this gives nse a chance to
tell you Clara that love YOU; for. with
all my heart and soul, have long loved
you, and l cannot wait anF longer to tell
you So" In his excitement he took hold
of her left hand her right being occupied
with her basket.
Mr.. Rinkle awakened when he heard
the door of the violet house open. In an
instant he was sitting up alert, and with
every sense at its sharpest. sit must he
after o'clock" he said to himself, land
that rascal has just come. I'll pay him
well for this. But I'il wait until he comes
nearer. and first give him good flight"
Prepared to give a howl which might
come from a wild demon of the depths,
Nathan sat, leaning forward and ready to
spring to his feet when the sniscreant Gott-
lieb should be near enough. But suddenly
his mood changed. "There are the foot
l hear the rustling of Dress One must
be a woman Then hearing Clara's
exclamation his heart sank. "It is
Miss knlghtley," he SAID to himself.
land some one with her. Oh. dear
me, I must not let them know
and tell her father she found me
down a cistern and not able to get out
I'D never hear the end of it. He'd laugh
at me as long as he lives" So, crouching
down as low as possible, Mr.. Rinkle re-
manned perfectly quiet, hoping that these
untinlely visitors might soon leave the
house. But the next mo,saent he heard
Leonard's avowal of his love.
my conscience" thought Nathan,
holding his breath in amazement. tits
that young Hapfield making love to her.
How very embarrassing. Oh, dear! Oh
dear! 1t would be awful if they knew
was SO close to them" Bus, in spite of
his fingers in his ears. His heart had
| never beat so quickly; he had never been
more interested.
Leonard continued: Clara" he said.
speaking earnestly and rapidly, 'may 1
love you? Can hope that you will love
me? Oh, do not think OF going away.
There is nothing In the world so import
ant as what.I am saying to you"
Clara had looked toward the door, but
whether she contemplated q retreat tolt,
or whether she glanced through its glass
panes in the fear that some one might be
approaching, Leonard could not tell; but
she saw no one and it was impossible to
retreat. so tightly was her hand held. She
turned her head from the door. and bent
her eyes on the ground.
'Oh. Clara!" he exclaimed, twill you
not speak to me? VIII you not look at
me?"
She did not speak. but she looked up at
him. That was enough.
How very embarrassing thought Mr..
Rinkle, his ears expanding like opening
Gala lilies. and his heart beating faster in
his excited interest "She must have agreed,
for they surely are kissin'. Yes. can
hear 'em, and most likely, huggin'. Mercy
on me! It's lucky they don't know Pm
here. How dreadful it would be if they
should even hear me breaihe!" And as
this thought came to him he pressed his
lips tightly together.
.'Oh, happy, happy dayW cried Leon
ard. 'Oh glorious worldi Oh darling
Clara-my own forever"
Dear me! Dear met" thought Mr..
Rinkle. How warmed up he is. And I