The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-10


and somewhat crafty smile. ''You
had no idea what an impression you had
made; but l thought it would come to this
all along. | didn't tell you anything
about it before, because it is well to guard
against disappointments Now, dear, read
that last page, and tell me if that isn't a
very charming valentine
Doris, all expectation as to what might
be the nature and who the maker of this
desirable offer, took the letter and read
with growing wonder and confusion.
II leave my proposal in your hands, for
if she will not listen to you, it will be a
hopeless case, and | shall do no good by
speaking in person, which, under all the
circumstances, would only be awkward for
us both; but if you see grounds for hope
in her answer, | will take courage and put
it before her myself Write at once, or
ask Doris to do so, as | am in great
anxiety till hear.
She read it through twice, scarcely able
to believe her eyes. There it was, how
ever, in Jacks well known handwriting.
Her uppermost feeling after astonish-
ment and perplexity was one of amuse-
ment, though the solemnity Of the occa-
sion, as enforced in her ladyship's predatory
remarks and expressed in her expectant
face, was sufficient to keep it in check.
That Jack had made her an offer was suf-
ficiently extraordinary, but that one so
selfreliant and so open with them all
should for long time have made his aunt
his only confdante on such subject was
still more strange.
There was, of course, no room for the
suspicion Of mistake, and the employ
ment as advocate of her benefactress
friend, and mother looked under the
circumstances like the policy of one who
made up in earnestness what he lacked in
confidence. Here was suddenly presented
the opportunity she had often craved fol
making some return for the kindness with
which she had been loaded since child
hood; but it was indeed giving her all in
return. As she stood blushing, surprised
and shy, with the light Of suppressed
laughter at certain comical element OF
the affair in her eyes, she looked perfectly
lovely, the image of coy triumph and
laughing tenderness. Dear me, my lady
mentally exclaimed show lovely the child
is She looks for all the world as if she
had just received her first love letter"
"He cannot mean it, said Doris at
length, glancing for moment at Lady
Glumglass IS anxious face,
"Oh, yes, my dear child, she said
eagerly; eyes, he does; every word of it .
did you, asked Doris, hesitating
''did you know about it before, Auntie 2
"Oh, yes, dear; | may say it was chiefly
my doing. she said, with little smile Of
satisfaction.
THAT settles it, then, thought Doris
'How long have you known about it p
she asked, curious in the midst of hel
perplexity.
"Well, definitely, ever since the day
Mr.. Wescot lunched here last October
the afternoon Jack went away. He and
| had a long talk about it just before ht
left
Doris felt again the strength of he
obligation to yield, and the eagerness anC
anxiety in her ladyship's face and manner
impelled her to speedy and favorabl,
answer. She went and knelt by the low
chair to receive the caresses and sappor
of her friend,
"And do you think ought to accept p
she asked. at is such very seriou,
thing; and do you think he would be
satisfied with me? 1t is so serious and SC
sudden, and l am so young" And hel
eyes filed with tears, and she looked be
witching.
"Of course you must accept, darling,
answered her ladyship decidedly, strokin2
Doris's head with loving hand. at is
quite a settlement for you, and it will not
be like losing you entirely, even for a
time. You will be quite one of us, he
says. should think he will be satisfied
with you. He is very lucky man to get
you. You will be quite a treasure to
him, and an ornament to his home and a
dear little mother to his children" she
added, kissing Doris gently on her fore
head.
"Auntie, dear, you say it was your
doing, and it will please you if l accept.
Certainly, darling. Nothing more
satisfactory for yourself or more pleasant
Tor all OF us could well have happened.
"Then 1 viii accept him for your sake
and try to make him good and helpful
wife" And she bent her head, and
framed little prayer for help and bless
ing while she shed few natural tears at
what was certainly rather a tame and
inglorious consummation to the vague
hopes and dreams of the unknown magic
of love.
Wonder, alarm, and dawn of intelli
gent dismay made Lady Glumglass's feat
ures almost vocal, as she gazed at the
kneeling Doris She was, after all, in
many things woman of quick wits. She
instintively realized crisis before hel
brain had time to form thought; and 81
lence for safety was her one impression
solitude for consideration her desire. A