The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-07-02

blushed. hesitated and ut length took
n scat, to which Miss Morgan directed
him by graceful turn of her hand.
After few moments hesitancy,
Mr.. Rhodes felt that it was his busi-
moss to open conversation that
would explain the subject of his visit ;
SO he offered, by way of preface, few
remarks upon the coldness of spring.
"Yes," said Miss Morgan; 'but yet.
cold ns the weather has been and even
Notwithstanding few frosts, you see
the trees have their richest foliage,
and the flowers are luxuriant.
''True, said Mr.. Rhodes; sit seems
that though there may be great
deal of coldness, that Nature will have
her own way, and, in time, assert her
perrogative, late, perhaps, Miss Nor
gan, but still the same"
Mr.. Rhodes felt rather startled at
his own speech, ana looking elp, was
infinitely astonished TO see that Miss
Morgan was blushiEg like one of the
roses that was hanging against the
window.
"We are always pleased, said Miss
Morgan, ''to see what we admire
breaking through the chilling infu-
ences by which they have been re-
strained, and satisfying our hopes OF
their ultimate disclosure"
Miss Morgan was looking directly
toward the bush on which three roses
were clustering in most gorgeous rich
ness.
Mr.. Rhodes put his hand into his
pocket, and felt of the official papers,
to gather little courage from their
cor tact.
81 have" said Mr.. Rhodes. "an at
tachment.
Miss Morgan this time lent bushes
to the rose.
"The attachment. Miss Morgan, is
of distant date, and I felt that too
much time already elapsed; that, in
deed, instead of intrusting it, as /
might have done, to another, | thought
that in matter Of so much delicacy
it would be proper for mo to come in
person"
"For me, Mr.. Rhodes? the attach
ment for me?"
'.As was saying, Miss Morgan, the
attachment I have; and l felt it a
matter of delicacy to come in person,
thinking that my own means might be
considered, if there was any deficiency
in the value of this property"
"Mr Rhodes, you seem to be rather
enigmatical.
81, nevertheless, said Mr.. r..
"mean to speak very plainly when l
say that with reference to this attach
ment. Miss Morgan, should you honor
me SO far as SO accept my profession,
my pecuniary means would be devoted
to the-to the attachment.
81 was, said Miss Morgan, "wholly
unprepared for this."
sI was afraid that was the case, %
said Mr.. Rhodes. ''and therefore I
thought it more delicate to make the
offer in person.
"You are very considerate. Mr..
Rhodes"
sam I, then, to understand, Miss
Morgan, that my proposition is agree
uplo W your IL oeuol woAuos en"' ~
is accepted?"
'sMr. Rhodes" said the lady, with
much hesitation, 81 must claim little
time to think of it."
81 will cal. then, on my return
from the village beyond"
'sLet me ask little more time, "
said she; "say next week.
"Miss Morgan" said Mr.. Rhodes,
"the matter requires immediate an
swer the attachment is of an old date,
and time now is everything. My feel
ings are deeply Interested; and may l
not hope that while You are using so
short time to consider subject
which you are pleased to view as OF
such great delicacy with regard to
yourself, you will allow my feelings to
weigh with you in deciding in favor of
my proposition, which. l assure you,
is made after due deliberation upon
my ability to perform my part OF the
contract"
Mr.. Rhodes then took his leave. as
tonished ut his own volubility, which,
indeed, nothing could have induced
but his desire to relieve one SO much
esteemed as Miss Morgan from pres
ent embarrassment.
Mr.. Rhodes drove to neighboring
place, deeply occupied with his good
purposes toward Miss Morgan, salts
flying himself that the pecuniary sac
rifice he had proposed was due to his
untold and unknown affection for her,
and not beyond his means.
Miss Morgan felt renewal of all
those feelings which had rather been
dormant than quenohed in her bosom,
and desired the advice Of heE married