The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-01-17
AN EARLY CALL.

He proposed 70 her In the conseyv1
tory after supper; he did not 20 down
on his knees OF declare that life would
be nothing TO him without her. but AZ
told her. simply and earnestly that
she was very dear TO him; that re hAd
always loved her, and that . shia vito
| it would be his care to guard her from
the worlds rude buffetinga - think
could make you happy" he said MI
am not rs clever rs some OF the mem
you know, but love you I
| s.Yes," she murmured; II know yen
love meyou have always been good
to me; you must know YOU must feel
that / appreciate it. 1t touches me 10
have you care for mel wish I could
make you understand that am grate-
full"
.'Grateful! Hnt why should you be?
Could help loving you? Could ! know
you and not care for you? You are 90
unlike other women, SO free from envy
and petty malice I have watched you
with your girl friends-I have seen
you do many e kindness that You
thought nobody knew anything about
think it was your goodness that
charmed me first
She looked up-was he really in
earnest?
Don't praise me-" she said; cons
pliments from other men are we'll
enough, but not from yon. ss
..Is it a compliment to tell You what
think? And it seems to me have.
said so little. All, if you could know
what is in my heart-but no doubt,'
as she made an impatient movements.
..yon have heard all this before-a
twice-told story wearics. What can 4
say to win you-you who are SO used
to being loved? To another womansI
might speak Of my wealth, Of all that
/ could give her, but not to You. Il 81
''You think too well of me, she
broke in.
..No, Edith understand you-and
that is why want you all for mine, to
have and to hold, to love and to cher
ISL; say that you like me little, that
you will be my wife" 3fs
She leaned toward him, the words
that would send him from her, and
end forever the friendship that had
become part of her life. were
trembling on her lips, when he, guess
ing her Intention, perhaps. said, hur-
riedly: Some one is coming-your
German partner, l think. Don't an--
swer me now; later on will do as we'll
She breathed freely. It was natural
for her to postpone unpleasant things
- 1AG he 90
possible.
''As you wish. then; will you call to-
Eyes, in the morning, at eleven. =
He bowed and withdrew just as her
next partner came hurrying up.
''The cotillon is about to begin, Miss
Alton" he said, taking Manning's
chair, "but I think we have time for 9
short chat. You don't mind talking
to me for few minutes, do you2''
s'sWhy, no" she answered, for she 4
liked the lad not only for his own
sake, but because Of his friendship
with that other, whose image was
never long absent from her mind
by the way" he said, as II reading
her thoughts, II got : letter from
Agnew to-day. I thought you might
care to hear from him; you always
seemed such friends
eyes, she responded, idly. How 70
hep"
Very well; but growing homesick.
Think Of It'll He has been away six
weeks" i
mo doubt he is enjoying himself
'Oh, Carl will always get the best
ont of life; that's his way, you know"
Eyes, know" The answer was
given so carelessly, with such appar-
ent indifference, that he was about to
speak, to tell her the tidings that his
letter contained, and which 20 far
some instinct had made him with.
hold, when his hostess appeared in the
doorway.
Come, you two" she called; ''the
others are waiting for you.''
"Dear Mrs Danton,'' said the girl,
rising, "Mr. Lane and are such old
friends that we sometimes forget how
time flies. . A
"You young dissembler," laughed
the older woman; '.you know Herbert
Manning was in the conservatory with
you
A sudden blush stained Edith's
cheek-she hated herself for it, it was
80 apt to mislead-but Mrs. Danton
seemed in no way surprised.
''There, child; don't look SO fright
ened," she said. mo one wishes you
more than l.
.'But, Mrs. Danton-''
'sReally, Miss Edith" put in Lane,
who had been puzzled and uncom-
Portable listener. II don't like to
hurry you, but We shall surely be
late" &. &.
She turned away; after Al, what
did it matter; BY tomorrow tho world
would know the truth. Manning's
face would toll the story Of his rejeo-
ton, and . few hours misconstruetion
could harm no one. But late that
night, when she stood IN her own
pretty room. she felt vaguely dissatis-
Aed with herself; she conld not put
the feeling from her.
ssI have not acted honestly" abe said