The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-06

ways shown himself 70 De very mOcet
gentleman and we'll endowed with esti-
m.hle qualities that too many Of the
young men OF tie present dag unfortu-
nately laos"
Yes"
And his financial position Is of indis-
nurabls fir,nreSs he has net only ths
will but the means to provide the COM
forts and even the laxuries OF q home for
his wife"
'-Oh. yes, mother"
Wei. child, IL your hear. does rot
draw you 20 him. viii rot press you. but
1 think he is q man any woinan might
feel proud OF, and in my marrying days
r.
Why do you talk of your marrying
days IS though they We're over. mothsrs
7 Dc You never think OF marrying AGAIN.
A,y darling. ron forget nay age.
Why, dear ra0sher, you talk as II You
were "a Methuseish. You are no. 50 very
old"
Il SHALL be Al in a few months. Elsie"
The girl laughed brightly. And you
lock hardly 81 You
Whatever else she may have been con-
templatiEg saying was cut OF by the an
nouncsment OF Mr.. James Harwood." "a
gentleman VINO was a short time following
his name and greeted the two ladies rath-
C. nerVousIy Is he entered he was a tall,
well shaped man. With n good natured
face, but whose hair was getting ittls
scanty on the top. indicating that be had
passed the meridian OF youth
+ He sat down and for little while tried
to maintain his share IN a general CONVEX
sation, bnt he seemed uncomfortable and
talked in 4 somewhat p-coccupiod manner,
as though something were weighing on
/ his mind.
At last Mrs. Singleton. thinking it poll
tic To leave che two together. made some
excuse 10 90 cot and rose from her seat
I She had reached the door when James
Harwood, with an evident effort, leaned
forward in his chair and said quickly,
! please don't 70, Mrs. Singleton" She
stopped on the point of leaving the room
and came back She designed that he de-
sired her consent first and thoroughly APP
proved of the straightforward course.
Looking at Elsie, she said gently:
Il wish, darling, you would answes
those cards for me that are in the draw.
ing room. Feel little knocked up after
my drive"
Without requiring second bidding the
/ girl departed lightly on her eTrand, leay-
( ing her mother alone with their visitor.
Mrs. Singleton was sitting on low
sofa, and James HarwoOd lett his chair and
went 10 sit beside her, his nervousness be-
coming more marked as he did so. He
looked straight in front Of him as he said.
Mrs. Singleton, / wishcd-rather-to
speak 10 you upon IA subject trust you
will bear with me q moment while T.
The lady noticed his agitation ard was
sorry fer him. She tried 20 help him cut.
Il think know To what you are sllud-
/ ing. l have been expecting this, james
/ You viii let me call you 'JamesT-for
/ some time. Please go on.
lit is kind of you To say that IL makes
what l have to say much easier. He
clasped one OF his knees with both hands
and for the FIRST time looked straight Into
his companions face. II have recently
had thoughts, my dear Mrs. Singleton
though i feel much diliidence in telling
you'll have lately been contemplating
marriage"
THAT IL exactly what expected you 10
say, and 1 think at your age and IN your
position it is very proper course 10
{ take"
Then may take TT May be so bold
as 10 assume-that you arc not averse--in
fact, that you consent!'
THAT l. what intended 90 convey.
. S11fQ Just now thab Ltsl DS'n "a AltA4c pro
pared for this, and l am very glad that
you have given me the opportunity Of say
+ inr-as ! truly think-,hat no woman
could wish TO find better husband " She
looked into his face with quiet smile as
she concluded.
For a moment Harwood shuffsed nerv.
ously on his scat, then, moving closer 70
her, he took her hand. Mrs. Singleton
looked surprised, but she lee 1t remain.
Then, as everything Is SO satisfactorily
settled, - he said awkwardiy, would ycu
mind II THAT is--it seems perhaps lit
tie strange ar frst--but may kiss you'll"
Mrs. Singleton was more than ever tax
en- aback at this unexpected request. and a
flush came over her face. Then sho
thought that prospective son in law
his request was perhaps not altogether
unreasonable, and she turned her face to
his, smiling rather consciously as she TO
piled:
'oh, well, suppose you may, as am
TO be your mother. %
My Motheri'
Yes. shall he Jour mother, shan't /.
II you marry Elsie"
Marry Elsiel But / want 70 marry
you!'
Mrs Singleton jumped away from BIN
{ 70 the OfneF enl OF the @}la. ana her lace
flushed scarlet 90 his meaning burst Upon
her
There was silence between them for
fsw minute. Mrs. Sinzleton's eyes wsra
bent upon the ground. aud she looked oil
most like young gal who had listened 70
her first declaration Of love a. the blush
ON her cheek grew deeper and deeper and
then moved downward tili 10 covered the
/ wblfe1ess os her neck. A. last she spoke.
And you have besn meaning me al
this tinsel''
Har1ood, now that 70 saw the prime be
thought he BAD won IN danger of slipping
from him. came cut ~ his shell ard sur
priseG himself By the fsrvor Of his own
I words
Yes, g r. yon that love you ths;
have hoped-and thea hardly dared 70
hope-migi.f love rle . iittie IL return and
Z give me yourself a. an earuset % al up
The eInptiDezs 50 my ufe and IN Hly hssrt
. Oh. DO not take toe ccEssnt away that !
I thought / had hardly woa'
For a moment after be had o.ased
spanking abe did not move Then che
turned Der face up - his with her syss
shining, 5riafgi With - tba; she eosid
Z not hide
james,
4Yes"
you nay ssili kiss Ine. Million
Leather lam ,hs Latest