The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-21


The lamp on the table in the Cranes library
was burning brightly. On one side of the
table Marian was occupied with her sewing.
Upon the other side Crane, with the evening
paper in his hands, sat in a comfortable
chair, his slippered feet upon footrest be-
fore him. Every now and then his head
would nod and the paper would fall into his
lap; but then he would rouse himself and re-
sumo his reading or answer in mOnosyllahles,
the occasional remarks Of his wife.
- Ii is so good to have Won home so often in
the evenings now," said Marian, presently.
at makes me very happy, dear-so much
happier than | was when you STAYED so fire.
quently away. But that is all over now, and
! will not speak Of it. ] won't think of it !;
L must not L never did reproach you
though, did II"
No. Crane aswered, rousing himself
slightly.
~ don't believe you will ever know how
very much / love you she continued, land
yet / have tried to show you, because-oh,
because / have always wished so that you
might know"
"Wbat is the occasion for tbis?" Crane
asked, lightly, as she paused.
ooh, nothing" she returned, except
that do love you, and am very happy.
don't want the time to come when we shall
not want to confess our love and to speak of
it. ] think / should die if / should ever lose
your love or you. But why do ever speak
OF that p" And she rose and, crossing to her
husband, kissed him.
g j am very foolish, she went on, as she
returned to her seat. {" am very foolish,
dare say. But / have been almost beside
myself ever since you said you might 90
West for so long time. At first so dreaded
your going-the very thought of it simply
overwhelmed me. / was so apprehensive; it
seemed TO me that something dreadful was so
certain to happen. And then, since, after
you told me that you had given up the trip,
j have been almost delinous think have
wakened every morning with smile on my
lips and song in my heart. He is not
going y He is not going / say over and
over to myself all day long"
MaTian's simple, loving words embarrassed
Crane, for his conscience had not been inact-
i've latterly, and, as though to close the con-
versation, he said, lightly, That is all over
now. didn't go"
NO" Marian answered, and continued
I" / never would have said anything to deter
you. If you had gone, ! would have borne
Il i
spoken Of it now, if you had not decided to
remain at home. And you have quite de-
cided 2" she asked, with a quick sinking Tof
the heart. Crane looked up quickly, perceiv-
ing the note of anxiety in her voice.
''Oh, you needn't worry" he answered
I" i have quite decided. / am not going.n
For moment Marian was silent, but soon
she spoke again.
How strange it is about Mr. Holt. 1t
seems an age since he was here last. j quite
miss him. He was so good friend. OF
course, i know he must be very busy, but
do think he might spare an occasional even
ing"
'Oh, you may be sure his evenings are
spent satisfactorily enough, /" Crane responded,
consciously. 81 am afraid you will have to
try TO be content with me-"
'Content?" she repeated. "You know
how content / am. i am blissfully content" "
Marian was silent now, and Crane resumed
his reading, but he found it difficult to fiisten
his attention. At length, however, after he
had read one article through two or three
times without even then quite understanding
it, he was greatly relieved by the entrance Of
a servant who handed him note He
looked at 1T curiously and then again at
Marian.
III IS from Holt, (" he said, at last. And
for you" -
As Marian read il she uttered an exclama-
tion of surprise
"What is 2" Crane asked
We'll ~ Marian said, and then she read
the note through once more.
What isit?" Crane repeated impatiently.
So To think that it should come at Just this
moment. IL is a very pretty note. He re-
minds me that he was the first to be told of
my engagement, and now he wants me to. be
the first 10 he told of his. He is engaged to
| he married TO Miss Katharine Perry"