The Winslow mail., 1897-05-15
has awakened all the old feeling. raml q

being agreeable to people that one
doesn't care a rap about; so have half
made up my mind to marry and settle
down in the country; that is, slowly
IF l 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
to come and talk over the matter with
you,' he said, after a somewhat awk
ward pause; you always help fellow
so with your advice"
Il imagine" she replied, that If 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 gayety and
movement and excitement, and it does
not seem quite fair to ask her to come
down here, does it? 1t looks conceited
and selfish. as If one thought a good
deal OF oneself, don't you knoww
SHe iOoheu at MIN graVely.
DO l know her?" she asked. rs she
some one you have known a long
timer
"Oh, yes, since was quite boy"
us she pretty?"
"Of course, you ought to know that"
"And cleyer?"
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 a
laugh-'T am obliged to admit that she
does. You see she has been out lot,
and the rosy bondage is a bit out Of
place; natural enough, don't you
think?"
81 suppose so"-doubtfully-"o can
not go through life with ones eyes
shut; that is If anyone has any brains,
and yet, somehow or other, 1 don't
quite like the description. You are such
a good fellow, Tony, for all your affec-
tation, that you ought to marry some
body very much above the average"
"And so 1 shall"
'You always said," she went on,
''that l might choose a wife for you.
Don't you remember just before you
went to college that last ride we took %
"Assuredly."
GLOW we agreed to atsk each others
advice about the people we should mar
ry, and how we promised that neither
of us would get engaged without the
others consentT'
"Of course l remember. am quite
willing to abide by the old contract |
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 I shall not take base ad-
vantage of your implicit confidence and
refuse my consent altogether? Ycu
don't know how lonesome it will be
going out next winter without you. l
have got so used to having you around
that don't believe I'll enjoy myself In
the least unless you are there"
She pondered q moment.
Come" she said. 81 will compro-
mise. I WON'T forbid the banns alto
gether, but you must not think of mar
rying until I am tired of society and
ready to take the fatal step myself.
How will that suit you?"
Perfectly, Ii you don't put it off too
long"
'Oh, well, that don't know. have
about decided to be 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
memory"-reaching over and taking
her hand-"wear this for my sake"
He drew her glove off very gently
finger.
The blood flashed to her cheeks.
''Tony," she cried, the full meaning
of his action breaking over her, '"Tony,
don't unders tand. I"
"Oh, yes, you do," he answered,
dra wing a reaSsuring arm about her,
"but for fear you might make a mis-
take and go off and marry another fell
low, l will make my meaning clearer.
love you'll have always loved you. 1
have never dreamed Of asking anyone
else to marry me. would have told
you so before, but you are such a
dreadful little firt that 1 was afraid
to test my fate. What say you, sweet
heart? Shall we marry and settle
down at the old placer
"And it was all the time," she MUIR
INJURED, land I thought you meant"
"Who?' asked Markland, curiously.
ooh, never mind"-hastily-"T see
now what an absurd idea it was. So
you always loved me, ever since I was
q child? Well, really, Tony, it was
only fair, for never cared for anyone
as l cared for you Come, let us go in
and tell Betty."-New Orleans Times.
What Hats WaiOh