Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-10

months and he has never spoken one
word of affection to me; but, dear God,
how worship him! can laugh now at
my early romance with Harry Mon
tague; it seems SO poor beside this tense
devotion of my womanhood. I wonder
will you be shocked, my calm sister,
when l tell you there are moments when
l cannot stay near him lest the cry in
my heart should escape my lips: I love
you love you'll! And time creeps over
me-suppose he does not care for me in
the least?''
81 cannot suppose it," Helen said.
He must care for you. He has told
both Dick and me hundred times you
are the incest girl he ever met and his
attentions have been most decidedly pro-
nounced''
II know" Monica put in, "but still
he has never said anything"
sit is early days yet,' Mrs. Leyton
went on cheerfully, ''and dare say he
has given you an inkling of his inten-
tlons ere now"
Monica shook her head.
"You see, am so stupid. I am not
like other girls I can never tell"
''Mr. Hartley is coming tonight" ;" the
elder woman said presently. "He has
been out of town for some time and
seems rather troubled over Mark Gro
ver's constant visits. He told Dick he
wished to see you alone this evening, as
he had something to say to you. Can
you guess what this means?''
eyes" she answered absently. It
was evident Mr.. Hartley's intentions
did not greatly concern her now
"'I shall marry Mr.. Hartley when
he asks me-, " quoted Helen mischie-
vously. "Eh, Monica, the world has
changed since them
"YOu know what have to say to you,
Miss Newman" Mr.. Hartley said.
"You must have known it for some
months. To put it briefy-will you be
Mrs. H-?'
He drew deep breath of relief when
the words were uttered and smiled rath-
er affably upon his ladylove. She
glanced back at him. Heat and excite
ment had caused his forehead and nose
to shine more brightly than ever, and
his short body, not innocent of a sugges-
tion . stomach, was shaking. She eyed
him up and down slowly from the bald
crown to the stout shoes, wondering even
then if his countenance could possibly
become any more purple when the tight
collar had done its deadly work, MOTTO
ing the chameleon hued cravat, the close
ly buttoned frock coat and aggressive
trousers with an almost imperceptible
shiver. Mark Grover had stood in that
very spot in the forenoon. What diff
ference! What a desecrationl
The color rose to Monica s face.
''I am deeply honored by your prefer
ence, Mr.. Hartley, but regret
"You are going to refuse me, know
you are," he cried excitedly. "I will
listen to no refusal. In all my life I
have never failed to obtain anything
upon which my heart was set. My heart
is set on you, and will take no denial
You are the first woman to whom have
offered marriage, and I decline to take
no for an answer. have been coming
here now for many months. wanted
to make sure that you were the woman
for me- You are the woman for me, and
I insist
"Insist?''
'Well, I don't mean that exactly,
Miss Newman, not exactly that" he
went on, little frightened by the flash
in her eyes. "But am plain, blunt
man, and you know my way of putting
things Perhaps I have made this pro-
posal too suddenly. Perhaps I should
give you time to think. 3"
She smiled at the notion, as if time
would make any difference But chill
ing thought struck her, and she turned
to him again.
''Yes, Mr.. Hartley, you have surpris-
ed me somewhat. Give me time. !"
Certainly, my dear. How long?"
"Give me week"
1t was quite feat for him, but he
managed to bend down and gracefully
kiss the hand she extended.
"Until this day week, then, my dear. "
How odiously familiar he had grown!
She almost smiled when she pictured
his expression on receiving the answer
she would give-the answer she hoped
to give.
All that night she did not sleep. eff
I only knew" she said as she paced the
floor, wringing her hands. eff Mark
would only speak. think he loves me,
but am not sure can never tell. Oh,
Mark, oh, my dear, my dear, surely you
care Just little for the woman whose
heart is breaking with longing for you!
Surely you would love me if you knew
how wholly my every thought belongs
to you! There will never be any one
who will love you better!
"Oh, wish could tell" she went
on, throwing out her arms impatiently.
"Why cannot woman put her fate to
the test as man can and know the best
or worst? If I refuse Mr.. Hartley,
have no surety that Mark will ask me,
and cannot live here all my life de-
pendent upon Dick. I am quite at my
wits end. ,"
The next day Mr.. Grover came as usu
al, and they went out together. She was
very pale, with glitter in her eyes as
of one who is determined to stake what
is left. Her vigil during the hours of
darkness would not go for naught.
"You are strangely silent today, Miss
Newman, Grover said presently;
"quite unlike your customary bright
self
''I have no great reason to be either
bright or talkative.' she said deliber-
ately, watching him with those fever
lighted eyes. "When one is about to
sign ones death warrant, there is scant
room for cheerfulness -
''Your own death warrant? I do not
altogether follow you"
"No?" she said "Well, Mr.. Grover,
will explain. am going to be mar
riedp'
Her devouring eyes never left his face.
She would not miss one motion of lip, a
tremor of an eyelid. Would it be trumps?
Mr.. Grover did not attempt to conceal
his surprise.
''You don't mean it!'' he cried in
credulously. care you really about to
be married?''
She nodded briefly.
"Well, I am astonished, he proceed
ed quickly. "And who is the happy man
Mr.. Hartley, of course?''