The morning times., 1896-05-03
JUST FIVE MINUTES.

Il Thought you would never come, Alice,
John doesn't oftenstay ISOLATE; he musthave
been unusually entertaining tonight, for |
heard your laughter way up here said
pale young woman, who sat hOvcrIng over
a register in little bedroom Of boarding
house.
Yes. Edith. laughed like child; John
was so full of fun tonight Are you tired,
dear? III help you TO bed now answered
sweet-faeed woman Of at least 2S, as
she gently took down her friends hair and
arranged the soft brown locks for the night.
She chauted gayly OF the evening, repeating
the Jokes she had Just beard and Frightening
the sad, gentle face OF Edith, which was
dra wn from suffering, for she was a cripple
and greatly dependent on AliCes miDistra-
tionS.
Just as John was leaving he proposed
that l meet him tomorrow noon and go to
lunch with him.
That's the nearest 10 a proposal he ever
came, isn't II, AIlce?7 asked Edith, teasEncIy.
John propose TO mt! Good gracious, we
are just like brOt her and sister and have been
ever since we went to the little school at
home said Alice. "a dreamy look coming into
her dcep-gra eyes. How long ago itseemsl
Why.I have earned my living for SIX years
How hard you have worked, too. Alice.
I've been such u burden to you ever since
was hurt"
Hush, Edith; am only selfish in shar-
ing my room Wouldn't | be a lonely
Old maid without you? And you are
getting better every day now, dear. l
expect you viii be earning more money
i'll a week than l do in a month, pretty
soon, with your stories They are sure
to be accepted, John says. You know
| read the last one TO him, and he carried
it off 10 show to u newspaper friend.
You don't mind, do you, dear?
Edith gave Ahce's hand a grateful little
squeeze before they fell into the sleep so
much needed, both by the hard orking,
business girl and the fratl Invalid
The next day. when Alice stepped into the
book store where sheand j John had ARA nged
to meet, ,~she found him waiting for her.
Am / prompt enough TO suit you,
john" she asked
You are everything 10 suit me, Alice
answered John, as he took her hand for a
moment.
why, when did you begin 10 think so"''
inquired Alice Iaughingly. John did not
answer until they had started for luncheon.
AS they walked along the street he said:
Il believe 1 have always thought so. but
l did not realize Ii until the thought came
of losing your cOmpanionship for am going
away, Alice. How bare my life will be
unles you go with me, Alice. Let us be
married today"
"Oh. John. you take away my BREATH
''Why shouldn't we? We certainly know
each other we'll enough and neither OF us
could be accused of extreme youth. Come,
now. I'll give you five minutes to decide;
just five minutes, Alice"
Its rather sudden. I think" said Alice
in a daZed way
''wen, then, we will go to lunch first
and you can think it over" suggested the
young man, as if that were a great con-
cession.
As these two sat at luncheon no one
would have Guessed what was in their
minds The girl sat with serious face
eating the food before her by force OF
habit, but she thought deeply; her indie
pendencc was dear to her. but John was
dear. too. What should she do3 She had
never thought of him as a lover. but now
as she glanced at the tall. manly figure
opposite she knew that any girl might
be proud of such one.
He talked OF everyday matters in his
usual way and once or twice brought a
smile or laugh to her lips. There had
come to him sudden realization of his
love for tie brave. sweet girl, who en-
nobled her daily toll with loving self
sa crifice for her crippled friend. He
wondered that he had never asked her
before to leave her life of drudgsry and
make a home for him. AS he helped her
into her coat he murnTurel: ''Shall we
go to the city ball, dear?'' John had