The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-02-01

down In the country; that is"-slowly-
IF can persuade the girl love to
consent to bury herself for my sake"
Miss Gresham looked down; her face
had lost little of its bright color, but
the pallor was In no way unbecoming
Il thought the best thing TO do was
70 come and talk over the matter with
YOU" he said, after a somewhat awk-
ward pause; you always help a fellow
so with your advice"
IL imagine" she replied, that II a
woman cared for a man she would go
with him anywhere"
Exactly. but that is the question
does she care for me? You see"-gaz-
ing at her steadily-"she is a society
girl, used to a good deal of gaiety and
movement and excitement. and IL does
not seem quite fair TO ask her to come
down here, does 1t? II looks conceited
and selfish, as II one thought good
deal of oneself. don't you known
She looked at him gravely.
do know her?" she asked. rs she
some one you have known long timer
"Oh, yes, since l was quite boy"
us she pretty?"
"Of course, you ought TO know that
And clever?"
IL uppose"-slowly-" never says
unkind things or sees through other
people as-as-some of your other
friends do"
"Unkind things? No. But as TO see
ing through people"-breaking into
! Taught am obliged TO admit that she
does. You see, she has been out lot.
and the rosy bondage is bit out OF
place; natural enough, don't you
think?"
II suppose so"-doubtfully-"one
cannot go through life with ones eyes
shut; that is, If anyone has any brains,
and yet, somehow or other, don't
quite like the description. You are
such a good fellow, Tony, for all your
affection, that you ought to marry some
body very much above the average"
And so shall"
You always said" she went on.
that / might choose a wife for you.
Don't you remember just before you
went to college that last ride We took?"
"Assuredly."
How we agreed to ask each others
advice about the people We should mar
ry, and how We promised that neither
of us would get engaged without the
others consent"
"Of course / remember. l am quite
willing TO abide by the old contract.
l shall never marry without your per-
mission"
"Oh, Tony, really?'
Really"
She gazed at him with parted lips and
shining eyes.
You are very trusting-how do you
know that | shall not take base adj
vantage of your implicit confidence and
refuse my consent altogether? You
don't know how lonely it will be going
out next winter without you. / have
got SO used 10 having you around that
don't believe I'll enjoy myself in the
least unless you are there"
She pondered a moment.
Come she said. II will compro-
mise. l won't forbid the banns alto
gether. but you must not think of mar
rying until l am tired Of society and
ready to take the fatal step myself.
How will that suit you?"
Perfectly, if you don't put it off too
long"
"oh, well, that l don-t know. have
about decided to become a spinster."
Come, now, that isn't fair. Suppose
we agreed to be married the same day?
That meets with your approval? Well,
to keep that promise fresh in your men,
ory"-reaching over and taking her
hand-"wear this for my sake"
lie drew her glove off very gently
and slipped a loop Of diamonds on her
finger.
The blood flashed to her cheeks.
Tony she cried, the full meaning
of his action breaking over her, Tony.
/ don't understand. /"
"Oh, yes, you do he answered, draw
ing a reassuring arm about her, but
for fear you might make mistake and
go off and marry another fellow, / will
make my incoming clearer. love you
Il have always loved you. / have
never dreamed of asking anyone else
to marry me. ! would have told you so
before. but you are such a dreadful
little fiirt that / was afraid to test my
fate. What say you, sweetheart? Shall
we marry and settle down at the old
placer"
And II was all the time" she MUIR
INJURED, land / thought you meant"
"Who?" asked MARYLAND, curiously.
ooh, never mind"-hastily-'I see
now what an absurd idea it was. So
you always loved me, ever since l was
a child? Well, really, Tony, it was
only fair, for / never cared for anyone
as l cared for you. Come, let us go in
and toll Rattv -