Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-13

ter than this one does. In my revvIIv-y-
remember how young l was IL already
exalted Miss Holt into Beatrice, a
Laura, an inspiration. Eastbourne was
now Arcadia or Alexander Selkirk S is
land, according TO whether was with her
or not.
After three days Charlie went back to
town. l did not care My footing with
the Hollis was now established, and / pro-
vided myself with the newest reviews and
magazines to lend them when we met.
The old lady always gave q smile of pleas.
ure when approached. She liked me.
GOOD morning, Mrs Holt. And how
are you todayY
"Ah, Mr.. Grahame, how dye dor
Thank you, had a good night. East
bourne is making me quite well"
"Have you seen this weeks illustrated
something? There are some capital
sketches from tine war"
ooh, you are very kind. 1 should like
to look at them" And she would peruse
the paper while her daughter and con-
vcrsod. So for fortnight. AS yet had
dropped no hint of my profession. 1t
charmed me to reflect how much closer it
would bring mo to Patricia when she
knew but wished to delay the pleasure,
to play with it, 1t was silly, but the sup
preston had fascination for me. could
picture her big eyes opening when cas-
uallv mentioned the fact that was lit
erary man, that had written Ewes Di-
lemma." could hear her exclaim, "Oh,
why did you not tell me beforeY" and see
her start of interest and surprise. In
imagination told her in So ways. In one
1 came upon her crying-this was my IA
vorite way-and l begged her to tell me
what was the matter "What is it?' L
murmured. miss Holt, you have had
bad newsY"
She smiled and brushed her tears aside
~ am very foolish" she said Don't
laugh at me, but this book has affected me
more powerfully than anything of the
kind have read for years. You know it
of course2" and she pointed to the familiar
cover of my fifth edition. l took it up
carelcssly. You make me very proud, )"
| answered.
"Proud?"
II wrote it--that is why. am so glad
it plcascs you"
"You are Eric EvcrshcdY
She put out her hand, and my own
clasped it, There was fervor in her face
that l had never seen there, Il new mag
netism in her gaze. "Oh!" she gasped
and then
Yes, that was my favorite way and
somehow she was in my arms, and l was
imploring her to be my wife.
One morning l lit II cigar and went out
to commune with the ocean.
l tramped along the parade and thence
to the seawall, and then as 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
the first time she was unaccompanied, and
at such timel
Miss Holt"
"Mr Grahamer" She welcomed me
with delicious little start. "How you
frightened mel"
81 could scarcely believe it was you," I
said. 81 thought you never went out in
the afternoonT'
81 do not often, but my mother was
asleep and the weather tempted me.
She put her hand on book as she spoke
Was dreaming, or was my fancy picture
realized? l was not drcaming-the book
was Ewes Dilemma" My heart rose
into my throat.
There was a momentary pause between
us. For the life of me | was unable, even
then, to resist the pleasure of delaying the
announcement of my identity. First l
would tell her that loved her.
"How glad l am that came this wayr'
l said. do you know that l was think
ing of you and wishing it were tomorrow
alrcady?'
The proposal scenes in my books have
always evoked enComiums, but somehow
by word of mouth, in propria persona
was unable to be equally happy. l drew
diagram with my walking stick on the
sand. fixed my eyes desperately on the
futile waves. l could not find the words
to go on, and my silence was becoming
ridiculous. The yellow cover of Ewes
Dilemma" offered me II resource.
as it good-this booki" 1 asked.
"No; it is intolerably stupid. Why do
people write such thingsf"
1t was hot day-a burning, breathless
day, but do not think l ever experienced
more violent sensation of cold before or
since.
"Ah!" said, and put the volume slow
ly down.
No; did not propose to her. l went
back to town the following morning, and
never saw her. to speak to, again. But
never forgot her, never forgot the expert
ence and Atherly is bound by the most
solemn oath never to divulge to Miss Holt
that the author Of Ewes Dilemma" and
Mr.. Grahame were one and the same man.