The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-11

Of Miss Holt the more believed we should
get on together l had wanted to know
her. and now WAS certain that should
find her intensely sinpatica! I asked
Charlie to lunch and paid for bottle Of
champagne In the eXuberanco of my graf
itudc toward him. After that / went homo
and wrote short story-a story based on
the foregoing facts, but which ended bet
tor than this one does. In my revcrios-
remember how young 1 was II already
exalted Miss Holt into Beatrice
Laura, an inspiration. Eastbournc was
now Arcadia or Alexander Sclkirk's is
land, according to whether 1 was with her
or not.
After three days Charlie wont back to
town. l did not caro-. My footing with
the Hollis was now established, and pro-
vided myself with tho newest reviews and
magazines to lend them when we met.
Tho old lady always give smile of pleas.
ure when approached. She liked me.
GOOD morning, Mrs. Holt And how
aro you today?"
"Ah, MIR. Grahamc, how dye do2
Thank you, had good night. East
bourne Is making INC quito we'll"
"Havc you seen this weeks illustrated
something? There are some capital
sketches from tho war"
ooh, you are very kind. should like
w iOoN stJ tltIll ANU SUO WOULD DcruSc
the paper while her daughter and I con
vcrscd. So for n fortnight. AS yet hnd
dropped no hint of my profession 1t
charmed mo TO reflect how much closer it
would bring me to Patricia when she
knew, but wished to delay tho pleasure,
to play with it. 1t was silly, but the sup
preston had fascination for mo. could
picture her big eyes opening when l Gus
ually mentioned the fact that was Il lit
erary man, that 1 had written "r,vc's Di-
lemma.' could hear her cxclnim "Oh,
why did you not tell me beforc!' and sec
her start of interest and surprise In
imagination told her i'll 80 ways. In ono
camc upon her crying-this was my IA
vorito way-and 1 begged her to tell mo
what WAS the matter "What is it?" /
murmurcd. miss Holt, you have had
bad ncws?'
Sho smiled and brushed her tears aside
II am very foolish, she said. Don't
laugh ut mo, but this book has affected mo
moro powerfully than anything of tho
kind have read for years You know it
Of coursc?' and she pointed to tho familiar
cover of my fifth edition. 1 took it up
carelcssly. You make mo very proud,
answered.
'Proud?"
~ wrote it-thnt is why. am so glad
1t pleases YOU"
"You are Eric Evcrshcd?'
She put out her hand, and my own
olaspcd it. There was fcrvor in her face
that L had never seen there. Il new mag
nctism in her gaze. "Ohr' she gaspcd
and thcn-
Yes, that was my favorito way, and
somehow she was in my arms, and I was
| imploring her to be my wife.
One morning l lit u cigar and went out
| to commune with the ocean.
trnmpcd along the parade and thence
| to the scawall, and then as I WAS on the
| point of descending TO the beach l saw
Miss Holt sitting on one of the benches
with half closed eyes.
Fate was smiling on me indeed! For
at such II time
"Miss Holt"
"Mr. Grahamcv' She welcomed me
with delicious little start. 'How you
| frightened mel"
81 could scarcely believe 1t was you,"
said. Il thought you never went out in
the aftcrnoon?"
| 81 do not often, but my mother was
asleep and the weather tempted me"
She put her hand on IA book as she spoke
Was / dreaming, was my fancy picture
realized? l WAS not Grcaming-thc bool;
was Ewes Dilemma" My heart rose
into my throat.
| There YVES Il momcntary pause between
us. For the life of me | was unable, even
then, to resist the pleasure of delaying the
announcements of my identity. First
would tell her that 1 loved her
| How glad am that came this way I"
l said. do you know that was think
ing of you and wishing it were tomorrow
| already"
Tho proposal scenes in my books have
always evoked encomiums, but somehow
by word of mouth, in proprn persona,
YVES unable to be equally happy 1 drew
u diagram with my walking stick on the
sand. fixed my eyes desperately on tho
! futile waves could not find tho words
to go on, and my silence WAS becoming
ridiculous The yellow cover of Ewes
| Dilemma offered mo u resource.
| '1 Is 1t good-this book" 1 asked
| "No; it is intolcrabiy stupid Why do
| people write such things:"
1t was II hot day-a burning, brcathlcss
day, but l do not think over experienced
a moro violent sensation of cold before or
| since.
"Ah!" 1 said, and put tho volume slow
~ down.
No; l did not propose to her. l went
back TO town the following morning, and
| | never saw her. to speak to, again But
l never forgot her, never forgot the expert
| cncc. and Athcriy is bound by tho most
solemn oath never to divulgc to Miss Holt
| that He author of Ewes Dilemma" and
| Mr. Grahaino were one and the samo man.
| st. Paul's
| ----------.~-
Between Times
Little johnny has been naughty and
| had to bc sent from the table without
H.