The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-24
TIE 1TMEs-RICHMOND VA: SUNDAY JUNE "a 1894

from them here. He bows somewhat
CURLY 10 the girls--who are now overcome
with horror-and goes straight to Ella.
lHs IS yours. 4 thinK.' says he In n
perfectly regulated tone He has hts
Dack TO them, however. and they cannot
see the smile and glance ne gives 10
Sinierella. He takes something out OF
nus pocket and presses II into her small
cold trembling hand. Instantly her I'm
ssrs close over IT. II Is her card-that
s ,,s T rhd believed lost; Had he. seen---read
this point Is set at rest at once Lower
ing MS voice, he goes on hurriedIy.
You meant 1t? ! found II last night ly-
ing In the hall. You did mean it9''
The girls face il answer enough T n
Is TRANSPORTED! A great light has sprung
INTO her tear-stained eyes. HOpel thai
splendid thing, has made its home with
In them. She looks up at him.
Yes" she whispers.
He turns at once TO Mrs Langley ue
cannot indeed bear to look longer on the
radiance that has lit poor little Gin
derella's face; II he did he might give
way-forget himself-and clasp her in his
arms. There IS SUCH undisguised happi-
ness In it-such belief IN his power to
deliver her. as goes TO his very heart.
Il have come over this morning."
says he, in a clear. distinct voice. ito
tell tell you that last night / asked Miss
Derwent TO marry me- She has done me
I.
addressing Ella and taking one of her
hands In both his own, will call upon
You formally this Afternoon. /. " softly.
'ventured to tell her Of my hopes"
AS Elias guardian" says Mrs Lang
ley. icily, Il may perhaps be allowed TO
say that | think she ought 20 have told
me OF this engagement But consIdera-
ton for me has never seemed to her
TO be necessary. Affection / have not
looked for, but common courtesy / think
oh tod
There was so little time" falters poor
Cinderella, and besides"
pray don't apologize" stifiy. 1T is
too late for apology. Since the hour
received you penniess into my house,
YOU have treated me with nothing but
ingratitudeP
III you had loved me" begins Gin
derella, in a choking tone. She cannot go
on. Brand, who is inwardly raging comes
TO the rescue.
Il am sure Ella is extremely sorry she
has been such an annoyance 20 YOU"
says he haughtily. 1T is providential that
the annoyance need not last forever. In
fact. | hope Ella will let me put an end
to It as speedily as possible. Both my
mother and | Will be delighted to welcome
her TO The Towers as soon as ever she
can come. II cannot" turning tenderly
TO Ella BE too sOonp"
She makes him no answer. He can see
that she is terribly agitated
Are you TOO tlred 10 come for a little
walk with meY' asks Brand II really
think" addressing Mrs. Langley with
the utmost nonchalance that haitian
hour or so in the open air would do her
good. When one has been dancing all
night. especially when not accustomed to
it-and your niece has gone out so very
seldom"-he cannot resist this thrust
there is nothing like a good smart walk.
Don't you think sou
Ella Is the best judge Of her own ac-
tons" says Mrs. Langley, coldIy.
Come then. Ella" says Sir Charles.
He catches her hand and leads her to
the open window. II IS very near the
ground; swinging down himself first, he
holds out his arm to her, and in a second
has her beside him.
Now let US run for it." says he. All
his gaiety has returned TO him. His man
ner is infectious. Cinderella finds herself
laughing too as they fly round the corner
hand in hand, and into the sweet recesses
Of the wood beyond.
Here they stop. Brand looks at her.
Nell" says he There is a little sus-
piclon Of fear in his heart Has he been
too precipitate-carried matters with too
high a hand2 Was II his love she wanted
or only his help? His face betrays to
her his fears.