Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-12-12


Miss Carr-Mr. Rogers - The cap
tain stood before me with the man who
came on board at Alden.
got red and hardly dared to raise
my "lovely gray eyes" to the handsome
face above me.
Miss Carr, I know friend of yours
in Calcutta, Duncan Eastwood.
l got redder How much did he
know? How could tell him 1 was 60
ing to marry man 1 had never seen?
"Oh, yes" stammered. II am 60
ing to stay for a few days with his sis
ter, Mrs. Osborne, in Calcutta. Do you
know her?"
Eyes, slightly" he answered. "Rath-
or a long way to go for visit Of few
days, isn't it?'
There was an awkward pause.
simply couldn't tell him the truth.
"Oh," l said carelessly, ~ have
ether plans after that
He seemed amused at my confusion.
I'm sure l looked a perfect fool, and ]
was thankful that just then another
man came up and asked me to join in
cricket match they were getting up.
l have been SO happy all these days,
but tonight am the most miserable
girl i'll the world. We shall get to Cal
cutta tomorrow, and I shall be seized
OH by that odious man with the white
gardenia. shall never love him. I love
some one else, and some one else loves
me- A few hours ago Mr.. Rogers asked
me to marry him, and I told him all
my story.
was leaning over the side of the
boat watching the glorious effects of the
moon on the dark waters, when he came
up behind me. had white dress on.
l looked up at him as he stood near,
and he was looking down at me with a
look | had never seen before in any
mans eyes. Such world of love was
there, and all for me. 1t was worth living
all my 10 years just simply to see that
look
l don't know why 1 did it, but
couldn't keep back a great sob, and at
that he took me i'll his arms and kissed
me passionately over and over again, as
though he had lost all control over him
self
tore myself away and told him as
calmly as could all about myself.
81 ought to have told you BEFORE" 1
cried over and over. "But, oh, don't
you understand how hard it was? l
thought you would think me such a
dreadful girl to marry a man 1 had
never seen."
II don't, DEAR" he said very grave
ly. II think it is good idea, ana you
will find all will go we'll"
"You are heartless," cried despair
ingly. "You don't care bit. You are
not one bit unhappy.
"My Bertha, it is everything to me
to know you love me. l don't think 1
shall ever be unhappy again.
"You are cruel, heartless, wicked"
I cried. Il won't listen any more"
and before he could stop me ran away,
and here l am crying my eyes out,
wishing we had all been wrecked in the
bay.
He called me back Bertha, dearest,
let me explain" But wouldn't listen.
A strange thing has happened to me.
went on deck this morning and found
everything i'll hustle and nearly every
one had gone on shore. WAITED behind
purposely. The captain came up and
asked me whether could see my friends
anywhere about
"No," l answered miserably.
He said he was sorry to see me look
ing so pale 1.-THE gentleman who is to
meet me is tall and clean shaven and
will wear white gardenia, 1 began.
Here we are then," interrupted the
captain, and l felt rather than saw that
some one was approaching. My knees
were trembling. thought should fall.
l couldn't raise my eyes until suddenly
a deep voice that l knew-ah, yes, and
loved, too-spoke:
Miss Carr, 1 think?'
Startled, l looked up The captain
had been called away, and l stood face
to face with-Mr. Rogers.
"What does it mean?" 1 gasped.
ut means, my darling, that 1 am
Duncan Eastwood. Will you forgive me
for the deception"
couldn't speak, and he went on:
Il was impatient to see the dear lit
tie girl who had trusted her future to
me, so as had been i'll and was order
ed holiday came to Alden to meet
you. Then it struck me would like to
see what sort of little girl you were
before you knew who l was. Lii was
right; you We're made for me, dear
heart. Then found you loved me. Last
night l nearly betrayed myself, but I
wanted to see your face when you met
me this morning. By the bye, haven't
seen it yet. Ny sister is waiting for
you. have been on shore and got rid
OF my beard, etc. Look at me, darling,
and see how you like the change" "
1 looked up, and he took my hands
in his.
"Are you still afraid of the risk. my
Bertha?'
"There will be no risk" 1 murmur-
ed. my life will be all sunshine.
"And if not" he broke in gently,
"our love will help us through the
shadows.
The experiment turned out perfect
success, and Lii is more than ever con-
WINGED that a man should let his sister
choose his wife for him. st. Paul's.
The Modern Way.