Middletown transcript., 1896-05-16

pen. 1t was dull and chilly outside
with rain falling OH dead leaves; inside
| it was so dark that the gas must be lit
if Marion was to write. And writing,
must be done, no matter what was the
weather or the state of her feelings.
She left her hero in muddle, and turned
to her lunch con aud i.er letters. There
were two bills, one invitation to dinner,
three friendly letters, and-a proposal
Of marriage ! This envelope was
opened last, and Marion re d it as she
drank her chocolate and trifled with her
bread and fruit. Then she put it on
the mantel, and turned to her after
noon's work.
1t was a pleasant, manly letter, and
it deserved better treatment than Mar
ion gave it. Almost any other girl
would have taken out her bsst note
paper and gold pen, and would have
written an answer, accepting Boy Man.
ming. This was his letter:
MY DEAR MARION:
I would give all | ever expect to
have in this world TO be certain just
how this letter will strike you, whether
that handsome face of yours will wear a
look of scorn or of tenderness as you
read it. But, although have no idea
what your answer will BE-, beg you,
dear, to be my wife. have love You
for long time, but could not declare
myself, for had next to nutiing to offer
sible fer me to give y.u good home. A
promotion, and a windfail from dis
tant relative, have changed everything.
Will you come To me, MAfionP We
may be the happiest man and woman
in the world if you will only. let your
woman's heart speak. Answer ME,
dearest, and God bless you, whatever
your verdict may be.
Roy.
Marion wrote on till dinner time. 1t
was raining too hard to accept her
COUSINS invitation to dinner, even If
she had the lime to spare. The rent was, },
due her winter cloak was shabby, and
there were bills clamoring for payment;
her pen could not rest. She ate her
simple dinner, then wrote again for an
and hour or more. By eight the copy
was finished, and Susan was selt to
post it.
Marion was lame and stiff from her
long days work at her desk, and she
rose and walked to and fro for exercise.
As she passed the mantel her eye fell
on Roy's letter. She would answer it
later, when she had had more time to
think. AS she paced the long room.
she was conscious Of feeling of an
noyance that her quiet had been dis
turbed. Despite the anxiety and the
toll involved In the task of max ing
both ends meet, she had been very hap
py In this shabby room, with her books
and pictures and music, and her wood |
6re-her one extravagance-on the
hearth. What right had any man to
say "Follow me-" !? She could not fol-
low; she had had her own way for so |
six years, nearly. No;
she would stay by her fireside, and she
paused in her walk to put her hand on,
. shelf full Of pet books, which she
always kept near her. 1t was enough;
she wanted no change. She would live
out her life here in her own way.
Marion drew her favorite low chair
up to the fire. Laddie, her Cord IN set
.er, came and put his head against her
knee. The dogs evident affection
,ouched some tender chord, and she
found herself thinking more kindly of
Roy Manning. What if she were like
,ther woman after all. with craving
'or lovep At any rate, it woold do no
harm to let herself dream awhile
The dream could not have been un-
pleasant, for her expression changed
md softened, and her face looked almost
beautiful in the .frelight.
After little she sat up. "How silly
If mel,' she said aloud. 81 am no
nearer a decision than was this morn
ng. Why could not Roy have been
sensible enough to leave well enough
.lone? did enjoy having him for a
riend, and now he has spoiled the
rierdship. If I say no, the time may
,ome when I shall be lonely and regret
t. If l marry him shall oft,n wish
myself back in this dear old den with
'ou, Laddie, and my books and pens."
The fire died out, but Marion took
10 notice. The clock struck ten. and
oused her. She went to her desk
nd wrote two. letters, sealed them, and
ddressed both to Roy Manning. They
Yere addressed exactly alike. bat the
ontents of the envelopes were very
ifferent. One letter ran thus:
II DEAR Roy
am strange woman, and no doubt ,
ou will be sorry that You wrote that
,tter. Still, you wrote 1t, and l must
elieva you when YOU insist that you
I'VE me. think / love you-perhaps
nough to marry you. At any rate, I
annot let you 60 quite away from me.
Till you come to me tomorrow even
lg at miner I shall have put away
~ pens by that time. Ii
Affectionally, II
MARION. Fl
The other letter was as follows:
II 1 !