Middletown transcript., 1896-10-24

keep him dancing attendance upon h'
at another she would not notice for
while afternoon or evening. Majo
Monteith accepted her moods with
philosophical indifference, and inward
ly Miss Celia was not a little piquet
to find what little effect they seeme
to have upon him. When she wa
cold and distant, or kept an impene
trable Gordon of her other admirers
around her, the soldier would smil,
agreeably, and attach himself to th
dragon, as il he were quite contented
and even when Celia was at he
kindest, he never allowed her claims t.
absorb all his attention.
she is q truer gentlemen than th
others, !" said Miss Gardiner, whose
sweet patience had been tried by a sue
cession of her beautiful niece's ardent
lovers. "He never makes me feel
that Celia is the whole of creation, and
that 1 am de trop, any more than he
pretends to talk to me when he is do
ing nothing but think of her. I hope
that she will not make sport Gf his
love-" And every day she wondered,
as Celia was doing, when Major Mon
teith would pass the carefully kept
border-line Of friendship. and declare
himself openly Miss Montagu's suitor.
The little old maid was expecting him
hourly, and ishe told herself that she
would be the first to hear the declara-
tion. From the beginning of their
acquaintance, Monteith had treated
her with such confidence, and in every
thing he did he acted with such OPEN
ness and courtesy, that she felt sure Of
being asked for her assent, if only as a
matter Of .folm, before he definitely
proposed to the girl ia her cha rye.
When at the end of the month,
as she was sitting out a
dance with him at Lady Westover's, he
turned the conversation to the, subject
of Celia, showing some unusual ner-
vousness in doing it, the gentle dragon
was quite prepared for what was to
follow.
"You are very devoted to your niece"
said the Major, and Ruth Gardiner an
swered, enthusiastically, that her hap
piness was wrapped up in that of Celia
Major Monteith glanced at her face,
lighted up with affection, and worder-
I'd how Miss Celia could have called
her aunt plain, as she had done in the
evening.
SIT is very beautiful to see bond
like this uniting two people," he said,
with nervousness that she had not
expected in him. ut makes it seem
almost wrong to think Of weakening
It, of adding another interest which
would tend to separate you. I do not
mean sparate you actually" he ran on,
lurriedly, as IL afraid of being mis-
Understood. "Even il hope that has
ately grown strong in my heart, Miss
Gardiner, were destined to be fulfilled,
[ should not think Of separating you
from your niecep"
'tMy niece will only remain with me
ill Eer marriage" said the dragon,
quickly, afraid of the man thinking
that if he married Celia, he would be
bound to accept !herself as one of the
household.
The reply seemed to render him less
nervous. He waited until couple
who had stayed near their quiet cor
1er of the ballroom has passed away.
''Then there is some hope for meP"
be asked, earnestly.
Ruth wished that she could give it;
1ut she was quite uncertain STILL how
Celia intended to take the Majors pro-
,osal when it came, and she dared not
rive him encouragement.
81 can say nothing, I am afraid
Ihe answered, slowly and regretfully,
'until you have seen Celia and ask her.
need not say how much like you,
low happy, think, you would make
my woman who has been fortunate
enough to gain your love; but the de-
,ision rests, of course, with my niece"
"Miss Celia seems to like me-" he
aid, quickly, and with a look of sur
rise, almost CONSERVATION on his
handsome face, as if he had expected
o hear something much more definite. |
Il will admit that 1 do not altogether |
understand her, but ! feel sure she
likes me-"
81 cannot understand her myself"
aid Miss Gardiner with sigh; "and
We cannot know until you ihave asked |
Ier.,
"It is necessary for me to askp
Gould not you do itP" he inquired, and
Hiss Gardiner had no hesitation In IAN
wering.
slam sure that it would only pre-
udice her against You if I attempted /
o do so.o
sand IL it turns out that she does
lot like me we'll enoughr'
81 am afraid there is no more to be
aid, " answered Ruth, regretfully.
"Then I will lose no time in inter.
iewing Miss Montagu,n he said. with
"If I do not find an
to-night-AIw was not. fort
nate enough to secure a dance on the
econd half of your niece's programe
-may call tO-morrOW2u i