Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-03-07
And Then She Promised.


There are some girls who make up
their minds to escape matrimony if
possible, but who all the same give
in in the end to persistent and tactful
wooing.
L was surprised the other week to
hear of the engagement of my great
school chum Mabel. We had vowed
to each other that neither of us
would ever marry, and that if one
of us fell in love we were to tell the
other what it was like.
She wrote asking me down to
spend week with her in Somerset
shire, but said not a syllable about
her engagement. When we were
seated alone in the drawing-rOom af-
ter my arrival | preceded to the at
tack.
Well, Mabel" you arc nice
young woman, breaking your vows
to me in this sort of fashion. | re-
member you told me you were be-
ginning to get rather fond of Mr.. -,
but that you were going to put on
the stopper there and then, and |
really thought that was what you
were going TO do"
$50 it was, Madge, and l really
didn't mean to give in and promise,
if he had not made me-"
Made you! Gracious, Nab (!
How could he?"
"l don't know. He just made
me, and | feel so happy now that he
did, for if he had gone away to
America, as he said he would, do
you know, Madge, think l should
have died"
| gave my promise, and then she
told me how he "made her."
"Well, / began by being more
stiff to him than | had been. How
ever, the more l tried to be stiff, the
more opposite he became, until
had to keep out of his way alto
gether.
Then, you remember Lady Ms
dance? Well, imagine my conster.
nation on making our way in to dis
cover him near the door. I wished
could have got away, but that
would have been too pointed. had
to stay, and, merciful heavens! had
to dance with him.
He was trying all the time to find
out why l had been keeping out of
the way and avoided him, and l
would not tell him. l was terrified
every moment he was going to pro-
pose to me, which at last he did.
But told him l was never going to
marry anybody.
One day mother and the others
went out for long drive, and was
the sole representative Of the family
at home. l was wandering around
the conservatory when / heard a
step on the gravel path, and heard
some one ring the door bell.
James said mo, STRIP twice, and
then the step came quickly round by
the path leading past the conserva-
tory. giided quickly away, but l
think he must have caught sight of
my dress, for he came in just as I
escaped into the drawing-room.
On, you thought you were going
to escape, but you are in for it now,'
he said, smiling mischievously, and
showing his lovely white teeth un-
der his dropping mustache.
In for what p | replied, trying to
look as dignitied as | possibly could
'Oh, you know quite well. What
asked you before. What made
you say no to me? Come do tell
me, / know you didn't want to-
'Oh, yes, ! did indeed, | did,
You know you didn't, you pro-
voking girl. You must not stand
there all the time and look 80 terri
fled of mev
Now, l am waiting,' he said,
slowly, with his eyes fixed hard on
me.
Waiting for what?'
ITO tell me why you said no to
) me-
: / felt him getting nearer and
) nearer, and / could not say word.
IF you don't tell me, it means
, you don't care for me, and / shall
, leave for America Tomorrow
r No, no. / cried, you mustn't do
that. Oh, why can't we remain as
t we are?'
= We neither of us said a word af
ter this for few seconds. Thought
3 of rushing away, but was rooted tC
= the spot.
I Now, do tell me why you are
p not going to be kind, and promise.' ,
! Il feel so afraid to- | gasped
g burying my face.
, My own darling! OF wha
= could you be afraid? Nothing
could make you afraid of me.'
e He put his arm around me anC
/ raised me up, while with the othe
h hand he raised my face to his, ant
h then, o Madge, l promised" |"