The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-09-13

this ride over to the Antietam battle
ground.
When they parted that after
noon he had her promise, and he de-
/ cided to return TO Baltimore at once
and make his arrangements to go to
Mexico.
Lila Havens went on alone to the
friends she was to visit at Sharpsburg.
"We expected you this morning, :"
said her hostess.
eyes, dear. But you see I was un-
avoidably delayed. What lovely
day it has been"
"And there is telegram for you,
Lila"
REALLY? Something aunt forgot to
mention. | dare say. Excuse me. :"
She broke it open carelessly. Dear
me !" she puckered her brow. "Only
fancyl The Admiral is coming down
here tomorrow. But no concern ex-
pressed itself in her charming counte-
nanance, although there was danger
of the old gentleman's discovering
that it had taken her day entire to
make three hours journey. "Now
what can he wGut?" she unused, and
/ dismissed the subject.
The Admiral appeared on the scene
the following day.
"My dear Lila" he said, 81 must
have little talk with you"
Eyes, uncle"
Miss Havens was looking her pretti.
est in a new gray gown. Her gray
eyes sparkled, her golden brown hair
shone. She was young. joyous, high
spirited.
Lila, my dear, they were quite
alone-'I have had a proposal for
your hand in marriage. If 1 had
chosen the man / could not be better
pleased. 1t will give me great happi-
ness to see you the wife OF Judge
Mason.
"Unclel Judge Masonr'
eyes, my dear"
"Uncle He is more than twice my
age. / never dreamed of it.
''He is a young man, my dear, n
vigorous young man. He will idolize
you. You knew he admired you"
"No, uncle"
Gle will make you very happy"
''He is a widower."
"But his only daughter is married" "
'Oh, uncle, tit is out of .he
question"
''My dear, you give me great cause
for apprehension. II will disappoint
me terribly if you do not accept him. "
"But, uncle, | am but eighteen.
Why should ] marry for five or six
years yet? I'll never be young but
once-never, she said pathetically.
"And ! am not penniless creature
that requires home. l 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
paleness of his own.
"Uncle-my-my money? Have
lost it?"
There has been terrible financial
failure. l hardly know how to tell
you, We only heard yesterday, and
We don't know for sure as yet. | am
S.raid-Lila-you must bear up-I
am afraid you have lost nearly all you
had. -
The girl leaned back in her clair.
There was a a's.unned look in her face.
She did not speak. The Admiral went
on, speaking more rapidly.
IL can hardly blame myself. 1t
was an undreamed of thing. Ofcourse
there if n little real estate left you.
Heaven knows | wish it had been all
in houses, Judge Mason"
ooh - the girl broke in suddenly,
"he won't want me now-when he
knows ! am penniless.
'My child, he came as soon rs he
knew it. -
''What-to pity me?'
NO; he had been intending for
several days to come, he said, but [
was away from home, as you know.
The news made absolutely no differ.
ence in his course. He was coming
anyway. OF course he was sorry 20
hear it, but as he is extremely wealthy
''ro him, uncle, of course not.
'Nor to vou, Lila, if you can only
accept him.
at is out of the question, uncle.
Tears came into her eyes. II am
sorry to disappoint you, but | cannot
marry him.
"rhink it over, said the old man.
"Think it over; it is not necessary to
decide Mt once, p"
Lila's visit was ended almost as soon
as began. She went back at once
with Admiral Blair. Her aunt re-
ceived her tearfully, and took her to
her room for IA private talk
Lila, this offer of Judge Mason's
is providential. You will accept him,
dear. | know you will. He is grand
man. What social precedence you
will take You will be a leader, US