The free press., 1894-09-27

however, my name is Robert Layton,
and this is my home"
What can he mean, wonder. and /
say; ''This is my home" Then I
gaze about and notice that the furni-
ture is entirely different from ours. !
feel blush of modification spreading
over my face. I try to beg a thousand
pardons; one would be sufficient, |
suppose. l tell him L must have ell
tered the wrong house, and that we
came to the city just week ago, and
1t was SO dark that mistook this for
our house, and SO forth.
1t is terribly embarrassing situa-
alton, and [ am conscious that / am
blushing furiously. Blushing never
did become me, either.
His gaze, which ut first had been
penetrating, is now kindly. Even be-
fore he speaks 1 can see that he is try
ing to put me at my ease.
He is certainly a handsome fellow
notofthe baby pretty sort of men, which
1 have always hated and detested, but
of frank, manly bearing, chivalrous
fellow one can see at glance.
"To be sure you are in the wrong
house" he says, and says it so merrily,
too, that we both laugh. 1t is strange
how quickly this cultivated young man
can reassure me. Though hardly
thirty seconds have passed since L first
found myself face to face with him, L
already feel that L have known him for
long time.
81 am the daughter of the Rev. Mr..
Stayles," l say, and 1 say it simply be-
cause I hardly know what else to say.
"Oh, then you are my next-door
neighbors, I fancy"
"Are we?" 1 ask.
81 did not know the name before,
but one of my servants told me that
clergyman was the new neighbor.
81 am glad you are to be our neigh
bor," 1 say. AS soon as the words are
uttered, l feel that have been ter
ribly bold and forward, but Mr.. Lay
ton answers heartily:
"And I'm glad, too, Miss Stayles.
81 must CO." I murmur. 81 owe
you thousand apologies, and L am
very grateful to you for your courtesy
and good nature. You might have
taken me for
ga burglar, were you going to say?
No, indeed, Miss Stayles- burglars
are never charming. In fact, they are
quite sure to repel one.
"Good night" 1 say; "and again
thank you"
81 fear, since you live next door, it
would be rather superauous for me to
offer to see you home. Good night
1 shall hope to meet you again. if l can
make your fathers acquaintance and
prevail upon him to ask me into his
home"
enter our house this time and find
the folks anxiously waiting for me.
Papa says: GLOW flushed your cheeks
are!" Mamma exclaims: "Why, child,
how nervous you seem to be!' and
Eunice says: "Maud, has anything
happened to you? You are really
trembling!"
So am compelled to relate my ad-
venture, and we all end up with
good hearty laugh at my stupidity.
"Mr. Layton wishes to see Miss
Maud"
This is the announcement made by
our solitary domestic.
"Ask Mr.. Layton to come right IN,
is my answer.
As YOU will observe, he asks for me.
At first, he invariably inquired for my
father or mother Now he almost al
ways asks for me.
Strange etiquette?
Not in the least.
We are engaged, you see, and that
makes all the difference in the world.
Yes, Mr.. Robert Layton called 80
frequently and persistently-and al
WAYS to see me, as he has since avowed
that now he wants to have me IN MS
home, in order that he may not be put
to the trouble of coming to our door
and ringing the bell.
And have come to the conclusion
that the best way out of it is to do as
he urges, and marry him.
i. -