Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-01-13

L..4l, u LA klOW4ng CnDSAs, O1 her
crimson lips, of her milk white teeth,
Of her snowy brow and her purplish
blue eyes with their silken lashes.
! She avoided him now; she gave
him no opportunity to see her alone,
and only remained in the kitchen
when her father or mother were
there. Then she would sit knitting
industriously, her needles glancing,
her lips sometimes compressed, some
times half apart, and her cheeks
Flowing; her lashes bent down over
her eyes, which she kept studiously
averted, while her bachelor lover sat
looking at her, trying to catch her
eye that he might tell her with his
how much he loved her, but failing
in that he had to content himself
with merely looking at her and think
ing what beautiful picture she made.
Thus matters went on for week.
He tried every conceivable way of
obtaining a private interview with
her, of finding her alone. He way
laid her when she went out to milk
in the morning and when she came
home from the same in the evening,
but she escaped him each time.
One evening Mr.. Ford was from
home. Sarah, her mother and their
boarder were seated in the kitchen,
Sarah, as usual, knitting, and Mr..
Mansfield at some distance watching
her and comparing her to Rem
brandt's most beautiful pictures, for
the glow from the cracking fire illu-
minated one-half of her face, and
from the candle not yet being lit the
rest was in shade.
Fortune, as if tired of trying the
lovers patience any longer, sent Mrs.
Ford out of the room, and they were
left alone.
No time was to be lost. Such an
opportunity might not occur again
for weeks, and the door was hardly
closed behind the retreating form of
the matron ere he crossed the room,
stood beside her, and putting his
hand gently upon her shoulder said:
what have l done to your"
Nothing" The knitting needles
few as if the lives of the whole pres
ent generation depended upon their
rapidity.
why do you avoid me theni"
avoid yous"
"Yes, you know you do. Have
offended your"
mo"
"Then why do you run away from
me whenever I approach youa"
II never have time to waste in stu
pid nonsense" The needles flew with
alarming rapidity, as if reproaching
him for intruding upon her valuable
time.
II was not going to ask you to
waste it in stupid nonsense"
"How do I know that2" the knit
ting needles glancing like sheet light
ming.
"Put away that knitting and I'll
tell you. Do-you make my eyes
ache"
"ZSou needn't look then"
"As if I could help it."
"What-why not2"
"You know quite well that 1 must
look at everything you do"
II know quite well nothing of the
sort"
"Will you put away that knitting"
"No."
"There, then" He snatched it and
pulled two needles out"
"How dare you'll Now, can't lift
those stitches again till the candle
comes"
"I know it. I'm glad of it."
"I'm MOTIVE minutes wasted"
Don't say so. Spend them upon
me. You will find me grateful"
"Indeed You're not worth them"
"True; but still, be generous. We
would none of us have much if we
only got our due in this world, but
you haven't answered my first ques-
tion-why do you avoid met"
II did answer"
"Ah, but l am not going to waste
your time in nonsense. wanted to
tell you that 1 loved you"
You told me SO once before"
MAY l not repeat it9"
Il don't happen to have the control
of your tongue, and therefore / can't
prevent your using it as you please. "
Then use it thus: Sarah, dearest,
1 love you and want you to become
my wife"
do you2"
"Yes; will you9"
''Mr. Mansfield, you know well that
am no wife for you"
II know well that you are the only
wife in this world for me. There is
not another woman in existence upon
whom can bestow the title"
"How highly honored 1 ami"
Don't mock me; l am too serious.
Don't sneer; your lips are too beauti-.
full"
"You do we'll"
81 am glad you are pleased"