Middletown transcript., 1893-06-03

weeks later. they strolleu along tho
beach, talking CT this and that. when
suddenly, quietly. as If speaking OF the
weather. Clyde Harvey said, aMar-
garet, love you. VIII you he my
wife some day?''
| Miss Dalton was simply shocked,
but after a moment, in which she
caught her breath, she replied:
] 'Mr. Harvey. does six weeks
acquaintance at the sea.shore warrant
a man in asking woman to marry
him?n
I'm most cases, no." coolly; sin
others, yes. This is one of the others.
We have seen a great deal of each
other during the past six weeks, have
we not?''
Margaret was silent. but memory
was travelling. fast over the days that
had gone. She had been living in
dream. What had blinded her? what
lenchantment had been thrown around
her? She wondered that she bad
passed so many hours in this man
society, drifting, forgetting past and
future, seemingly. forgetting that some
day a parting must come, some day ne
must go back to his clients, and she to
her prospective patierts.
"Yes," she said at last, slowly, I'VE
have seen great deal of each other.o
"Well then,n he continued, lyon
know / did not ask you to marry me
tomorrow, j said some day." Then
again. the fact that our people know all
about each other, gives me an excuse
for what might seem presumption in
another" /"
Yes" briefly.
They walked some d list aasee aaasee in sill i
ence. He was going away the next
morning, and she and her aunt bad
planned to leave day later. Presently
he said, "You have not answered my
question"
ut is too difficult. 1t is the hardest
question Lever had to answer in my
lifel'' she exclaimed with sudden
warmth.
"Why so?'' Il
'Because-because / never dreamed
of such thing, and am surprised"
He looked at her curiously; the face
turned to his was honest and grave.
There was not the faintest. hint OF
coquety in it. There was surprise,
certainly, or rather a shocked amaze
ment, as if she bad suddenly been
reused from deep, sleep to face an
unfamiliar object, which might or
might not prove harmful. He nerrily
laughed.
.'You look as l fancy the sleeping
beauty may have looked when the
Prince awakened her. Don't you love
me in the least degree?"
A hot, vivid blush spread to her
temples, and tears sprang to her eyss.
In all her life the stately Miss Dalton
had never been so embarrassed. He
waited. He was one of those men
who can wait till the end of time if
nee be. At. last she said: Take me
back to the hotel please, and-I will
see you in the morning before you go"
"Thank you,n he replied quietly. |
and ten minutes later Marparet was
alone in her room, trying with little |
success to regain the old calmness that
had SO unexpectedly deserted her.
A half hour before Mr.. Harvey's
train left the next morning, Miss Dal.
ton went down to the parlor where he |
waited for her. 1t was early, and they |
we're alone.
..Shall l go away happy or miser-
able2" he asked.
II do not know" she rejoined with
a new shyness in her manner and a
new color in her cheeks. "but If you
care to come to, Chicago at Christmas
can give yon definite answer, !" and
with that he was forced to be content.
Mrs. Davenport was wise woman
and asked no questions, but to her
secret delight Margaret. did not take
Up the practice of medicine after their
return home. Her days were all busy
ones, however, for she went into society
again, interested herself in church
work as never before. Among the
poor. she was yeritable angel of
mercy, her knowledge of medicine in
many cases saving the lives Of those
for whom she worked.
OF course Mr. Harvey wrote to her.
Frank, manly letters, never urging her
to shorten his period of probation, but
looking forward always with brave
hopefulness to the time whenshe would |
give him an answer.
Mrs. Davenport surmised that Clyde
Harvey had declared himself, and as
he was the man of all others whom she
was anxious to welcome. as her |
nephew. she vas naturally anxious.
At length, few days before Christ
mas, Margaret said: "Aunt Alice, Mr..
Harvey asked me last summer to be
his wife. He is coming here Christ
mas for an answer"
eWhat will it be?" gently.
II think YES, >" with bright blush. |
Mrs. Davenport could scarcely recog-
nize her strong minded niece in the
blushing woman who made this avowal.
but she kissed her warmly, saying:
"You have chosen wisely, my dear;
am very glad.n
AS early as was at all allowable,
Clyde Harvey entered Mrs. Davenport's
drawing room on Christmas morning;
where Margaret met him.
"My darling" he said, "do not say
.No;' have waited SO long,"
swell Yes then, if it suits you