Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-02-05

| P0Iuht'eu ihulSeit 70 Dc dC any VI ucl dC'
tious, which were generally unaccOunt-
able from a masculine standpoint. liz
only thought that if she were gong to
appear IN the character of jailor, he
could stand life sentence with consid-
cradle equanimity.
"Now, before yousgo, George" said
Rose, with her hand still on the knob,
81 want to ask you one question. You
are not thinking Of making Christmas
present to me this wear, are youG"
George owned that he had taken the
matter into serious consideration.
Sand you are.determined'to persist in
doing so in spite of my dSapproval2"
she asked, with a. smile that must have
have warned him that her dlsapproval
would not be of a,serious nature, for he
had the fine presence of mind to signify
firmly that he was not only adamant in
that respect, but even iridium.
"Well, like determined man." ad-
mitted Rose, with an admiring,glance at
his sufficiently assertive chin; "and if
you are determined, want to ask you
to allow me to choose my own pres
ent."
"with pleasure!" exclaimed George.
"That is awfully nice of you," said
Rose; ''but be sure to remember'notto
get anything until you hearfromme. l
will let you know in good time. N1lst
you reslly go now3' she asked; for
George, with the fortultous,absent mind
edness of a truly bashful man, hadplaced
his hand over hers on the knob of the
door. "Good. night, then, she. said, as
it Welded to their united efforts, and
George found himself standing outside
on the steps. He raised his'hat as the
door closed gently,as if it were reluctant
to shut him out from her presence.
That night George drew some.prelimi-
nary sketches of the Spanish chateau,
that were full of detail as to the chate-
laine, but hazy as to the starways.
After that, he saw Rose quite often
before it was time for'the green wreaths
to hang in the parlor windows; hut she
always said that.she was notyet ready to
tell him what kind of present she
wanted. 1t was'not until Christmas Eve
that be received a little note hastily
scribbled on the back of n visiting card.
DEAR GEORGE: find that 1 have neg
lected to give you the information prom
ised. But it doesntm1tter. We have gone
to the country for our winter outing, and
mother wants me to ask you to join US for
as many days as you can spare from bust
ness. 1 hope you will come and give me a
chance to keep my promise.
Sincerely yours,
Rose.
George accepted the 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.
ed ride to Sunset Hill, ONO OF the widest
and most picturesque spots'in the neigh
borhood; and, after the horses were
brought around TO the door, they set
out together through the bright, frosty
air. They rode halfway up the hill and
then dismounted and, leaving their
horses tied to a bar-post, followed
rough foot-path to the summit.
Rose stood close to George, looking
far out over fields and woods and groups
of cottages, and 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 I am" she said, as she
put back brown tress which strayed
across her face. "Oh, I nearly forgot
to tell you about my present. Frankly,
would you mind giving ring to mel"
Georges face fell, as he returned:
"what kind of a ring9 You have 50
many of them; aud wanted to give you
something original"
"a ring would be very original, from
you;" and she smiled demurely; "and l
fancy a plain turquoise would be the
proper thing, now. Here, you may
measure my finger; the third, please"
Aud drawing off her glove, she slipped
warm, little left hand into his.
"The third Why, that is the en-
gagement fnger!" exclaimed George, as
the air assumed for him the balmy mild
ness OF an Indian summer.
"You sald it yourself, George Schuy-
lerl" she cried, with brave attempt to
be saucy; but her voice was timid and
choked, as she reste1 her delicate head
lightly against hisshaggy coat; and, now,
you can never tell auy one l proposed to
you, even if-eyen il this Is Leap
year. Puck.