The morning times., 1896-02-02
6 6 n
AM sure. Cousin Molly. that Mr.
Beanmon, is in love with you."
..NnnSenSn Nellie, He knows

LII >bHstust. hhpNH
very ylutleaboul me. Ihave only been staying
with you three weeks"
But don't you believe in love at frs
sighl?'
II am sure don't know, but"
Now, he sensible. Molly. You know yor
are very fond of him.
Il don't know anything of the sort.
don't care a bit about him-ihat is, ! think
ne is very agreeable, and handsome, ant
kind-heartcd, and all that
You might add clever. virluouus, and
fascinating
Why"
Because then you would have given him
all the qualities that a woman can expect
in the man she would marry"
Really, Nellie. | believe you are nothing
but scheminG little matchmaker"
In this instance, perhaps am; but IL is
certainly a very desirable match, and you
are both head over ears in love with each
other
Il protest don't love him Bit
You don't know your mind
"Oh, yes, do. | don't love him, anu l
wouldn't marry him.
DO you mean that
We'll. of course. / do"
Then I'll marry him myself"
Your
why not?'
"Oh. of course. ii is nothing to me-"
Quite so.''
but / think it very mean of you-very,
very mean-not to have told me that you
cared for him.
Now, Molly. just listen. Mr.. Beaumont.
/ am sure. thinks you do not like him, and
that you would refuse him if he asked you
TO marry.
DO you think so?''
Yes. SO / believe from something he
dropped. that he is going TO propose to me
this afternoon. Now, if you slip into the
dra wing-room and hide behind the
screen--'
Il shouldn't think of doing any such
thing. The idea!'
do as ! tell you. dear. and you will hear
me refuse him. was only jes,ing when l
said / would marry Mr.. Beaumont my
SELF
Then. you are sure you don't love him
the least little hit. Nellie, dear?''
Not in the least. You will hear me tell
him So if yo uwait.''
We'll Mr. Beaumont, have sounded my
cousin Molly
And do you really think may hope for
SUGGEST"
Il am sure OF il: She is very fond Of you.
but not yet fully aware OF the fact. We
women are curious creatures
1t was very good or you 10 offer me your
advice and help.
Not at all. we are very old friends. Now,
don't you be rash. or you will spoil every
thing You must do exactly as tell you.
You must come into the drawing-room and
propose to me-
Propose To you?"
Yes: and mind you act the part well"
Il don't understand you"
Well, while you are proposing to me.
Molly viii be behind the screen. When She
hears your protcstatiuns OF love for ne
she will think she has lost you and will dis
cover the true state of herheart."
But, really. this seems ra;hcr'--
Now, don't argue. DO just as tell you.
Come into the dra wing room nj once, or she
will suspect collusion."
One moment. Don't you think?"--
Not a word. hear Molly coming down
stairs | Will sit here on this sofa. When
raise my hand. begin. Can you tell lie OF a
good novel. Mr.. Beaumont"
.well-er-it is rather responsibility
recommending novels TO ladies nowadays.
There are as many different schools of
readers as of writer's
But you know by this time my taste
in fiction"
Not so well, ] am afraid, as ] could
wish Hem, II you would-er-only let
me become your sole literary reader, faster
and adviser for life.'
Il am afraid l don't understand you
Mr.. BeaumODt.'
Cannot you guess what has brought me
here this afternoon? Let me be frank
with YOU. Oh, Nellie, we have been friends
now long time. Every year you become
dearer to me md more necessary for my
happiness. VIII you not become my wiie!
Speak, darling! Say you consent. You
cannot guess how ] long to have you al
WAYS by my side. say yes, and make me
the happiest maj in all the wide world!'
From where she sat Nellie sa w the flut-
ter of light blue gown as it passed quickly
from behind the screen TO the open door
Molly had prema turely fled.
do not keep me in suspense he went
Oh. Say will you be my wife?"
She bent her head to hide an irresistible
smile.
"Yesr'
Mr. Beaumont leaped to his feet in amaze
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