Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-10-11

Charlie to i"~ch and paid for q bottle ~
champagne LA the eXuberancc of my graf
i,udo toward him. After that went home
and wrote short stOry-a story based on
the foregoing facts, but which ended bet
ter than this one docs. In my rcvcries-
remember how young | was Il already
exalted Miss Holt into Beatrice,
Laura, an Inspiration. Easthournc was
now Arcadia or Alexander Sclkrk's is
land, according to whether | was with her
or net.
After three days Charlie went back to
town. ! did not caro-. My footing with
the Hollis was now established, and pro-
vdcd myself with the newest reviews and
magazines to lend them when we met.
The old lady always gave II smile of pleas
urc when approached. She liked me
Good morning, Mrs Holt. And how
are you today"
"Ah, Mr. Grahame, how dye dof
Thank you, l had good night. East
bourne is making me quite we'll
"Havc you seen this weeks illustrated
something? There are some capital
sketches from tine war. ~
"Oh, you are very kind. l should like
to look at them" And she would pcrusc
the paper while her daughter and con
y
dropped no hint Of my profession 1t
charmed me to reflect how much closer it
would bring me to Patricia when she
knew, but ] wished to delay the pleasure
to play with il Il was silly. but the sup
preston had Il JSciual ion 2or me. | could
picture her big eyes opening when l cas-
uallv mentioned the fact that | WAS II lit
eraly man, that had written Ewes hi
lemma" | could hear her cXclHiIn. "Oh
why did you not tell me bclOrC:' and see
her start of interest and surprise. In
imagination told Lcr in 50ways. In enc
l came upon her ciying-thiS was ny Ia
vor,c way-and | begged Ter to | nae
what was the natter. "Wl.nt is IL" |
murmurcd Miss Holt You have had
bad ncws:'
She smiled and brushed her tears aside.
81 am very foolish, size said "Don't
laugh at me, but this book has affected me
more powerfully than anything of the
kind have read for years You know it
of coursey" and she pointed to the familiar
cover of my fifth edition. l took il up
carelcssly You make me very proud,
1 answered.
"Proudy"
81 wrote it---that is why. am so glad
it plcases you"
"You are Eric Evershcd?"
She put out her hand, and my own
clasped il. There was n fcrvOr in her lace
that l had never seen there IA new mag
netsm in her gaze. con- she gaspod
and then
Yes, that was my favoritc weJ, and
somehow she was in my arms, ana | was
imploring her 70 be my wife.
One morning | lit Il cigar and went out
to commune with tho ocean.
trampcd along the parade and thence
! to the scawal and then as l was on the
point Of descending to the beach | saw
Miss Holt sitting on one of the benches
with half closed eyes.
Fate was smiling on me indeed! For
the first time she was unaccompanicd, and
at such a timc'
"Miss Holt"
"Mr Grnhnmc" She welcomed me
with a delicious little start. How you
frightened me-
81 could scarcely believe it was you"
said. Il thought you never went out in
the aftcrnoon:
Il do not often, but my mother was
asleep and the weather tempted me"
She put her hand on book rs She spoke
Was | dreaming, or was my fancy picture
realized: | was not drcaming-thc book
was ewes Iiicmma. My heart rose
into my throat
There was moncntary pause between
us. For he life of me was unable, even
then, to resist the pleasure of delaying the
announcement of my identity. First |
would tell her that l loved her.
elbow glad am that came this way ~
/ | said. DO You know that l was think
ing of you and wishing it were tomorrow
alreadyy'
The proposal scenes in my books have
always evoked encomiuns, but somehow
| by word of mouth, in propria persona, l
was unable to be equally happy. l drew
Il diagram with my walking stick on the
sand, | fixed my eyes desperately on the
futile waves | could not find the words
to 20 on, and my silence was becoming
ridiculous The yellow cover Of Eve 5
Dilemma Offered me resource.
"Is it good-this book" / asked.
"No; it is intolcrably stupid. Why dc
people write such things:'
1t was hot day-a burning, breathless
day, but do not think | ever experienced
Il more violent sensation of cold before or
since.
"Ah" said, and put the volume slow
ly down.
No; | did not propose to her. | went
back to town the following morning, and
l never saw her, to speak to- again. But
l never forgot her, never forgot the expert
ence, and Atherly is bound by the most
solemn oath never to divulge to Miss Holt
that the author of Ewes Dilemma and
Mr. Graham5 We're one and the same man
st. Pauls
When Musicians Were Scarce.