The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-10-30


The Admiral appeared on the scene
the following day.
My dear Lila" he said, ST must
have a little talk with you"
Eyes, uncle"
Miss Ravens was looking her pref
test in a new gray gown. Her gray
eyes sparkled, her golden brown hair
shone. She was young joyous, high
spirited.
Lila, my they were quite
alone-"I have had q proposal for
your hand in marriage. II I had
chosen the man / could not be better
pleased. It will give me great hap
piness to Q you the wife of Judge
Mason"
Uncle! Judge Mason!'
Eyes, my DEAR"
Uncle! He is more than twice my
age. I never dreamed of it,"
He is a young man my dear, a
vigorous young man. He will idolize
you. You knew he admired YOU"
mo, uncle"
HE will make you very happy"
He is a widower."
But his only daughter is married. "
"Oh, uncle, lit is out of the ques-
ton"
my dear, you give me great cause
for apprehension. It will disappointing
terribly if you do not accept him"
"But, uncle, I am but eighteen.
Why should I marry for five or six
years yet9 I'll never be young but
once-never," she said pathetically.
"And I am not a penniless creature
that requires a home. I might be al
lowed to pick and choose"
my DEAR" The old man looked
suddenly grave and pale. There is bad
news; you must make up your mind
to meet it bravely."
Lila's face reflected some of the pale
ness of his own.
"Uncle-my-my moneys Have I
lost it9" \
There has been a terrible financial
failure. I hardly know how to tell
you. We only heard yesterday, and
we don't know for ure as yet. I am
afraid-Lila-you must bear up-I am
afraid you have lost nearly all you
had"
The girl leaned back in her chair.
There was a stunned look in her face.
She did not speak. The Admiral went
on, speaking more rapidly.
81 can hardly blame myself. 1t was
an undreamed of thing. OF course
there is a little real estate left you.
Heaven knows I wish it had been all
in houses, Judge Mason"
"Oh!" the girl broke in suddenly,
'he won't want me now-when he
knows I am penniless."
"My child, he came as soon as he
knew it,"
"What-to pity me9"
mo; he had been intending for
several days to come, he said, but I
was away from home, as you know.
The new made absolutely no differ
ence in his course. He was coming
anyway. OF course he was sorry to
hear it, but as he is extremely wealthy
it cannot prove so serious a matter"
ITO him, uncle, of course nok"
Nor to you, Lila, if you a only
accept him"
'It is out of the question, suncle."
Tears came into her eyes. II am
sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot
marry him"
"Think it over" said the old man.
"Think it over; it is not necessary to
decide at once"
Lila's visit was ended almost as soon
as begun. She went back at once with
Admiral Blair. Her aunt received her
tearfully, and took her to her room for
a private talk.
Lila, this offer of Judge Mason's is
providential. You will accept him,
dear. I know you will. He is a grand
man. WHIST social precedence you will
take! You will be a leader, as you de-
serve to be. He is a lovable man, too.
You can be very happy"
"Aunt, I shall never marry Judge
Mason. May I go to my own room
now9"
She spoke coldly, for it chilled her
to find aunt even more ready and
anxious than the Admiral, who was
only her uncle by marriage, to dis
pose of her. Did they grudge her a,
mere home9
She went to her room and locked
herself in, Then she wrote to Carroll