Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-06-04

l
lift her eyes from that point of view,
and the very simplicity of it was so
like the writer that 1t was like having
his very words breathed into her ears.
1t was written five years ago, and he
was standing over her now as she read
| it,
To him the time seemed endless, as
she sat with bent head considering
those brief words. But it was more
than the words that detained her it
was the shock OF the whole thing aud
the difficulty OF realizing its meaning.
She moved at last, and he took back
the letter.
"Tho explanation that Harold gave
me was that you preferred him to me-"
he said, with the same forced quietude
Of his former speeches. ''It sent the
letter to you now what answer would
you give me?"
"Mr joint" spoke Christy in star.
tied tones.
"If you said John, it would be all
the answer would ask for" he IN.
swered.
Christy half rose. She thought she
would feel safer on her feet, and at
that moment the door opened.
"The mistress wants you in her room
at once, Miss Christy, and shall l bring
in the amp?"
Christy went up swiftly to her grand.
mother-a little shocked at having tor.
gotten her for so long, and good deal
relieved at having gained time before
giving her answer.
Mrs. Wallace was sitting in her chair
by the window, from which she might
have seen Mr.. Johns approach to the
house.
$50 John Turton's here" she said,
in her quick, sharp way. "What's he
assua 1Asy chsistsi Whsth Ia Gonna
fofs''.
Christy's wits were hardly sufficient.
~ collected for her 10 give an immedi.
ately intelligib!e answer.
''Never mind" said the old lady,
noddins cheerfully, I'VE all know that
he has not come to see II his brother
is left behind by mistake. Now, look
here, Christy, John Turton is here to
propose to you, and you are fool if
you say no. He's no fool and he's
worth dozen OF his brothers. Har.
old was good enough for Blanche, but
he was not good enough for you, and
l was not vexed when he threw you
over Tor her. You take John; he's the
man for you" and the old lady nod.
ded more and more vigorously IN up.
probation.
"But, granny" began Christy, up.
pealingly.
"rut, tuti Never mind granny.
There, you doh't want to he vexing
yourself with the notion that l can't
do without You'll can manage, c.n
manage! You do as b,d you. Go
down and drop pretty courtesy and
say, IF you please, Mr.. John That's
the thing, and there is no Harold to
come between you this time. Some
old women aren't SO blind as they
look, my dear. Come here, Christy,"
seeing how her grandchild stood
irresolute, with face working and eyes
suspiciously misty. "Bend down and
kiss your granny. You have been
good child to me, and comfort ever
since / had you, and want to see you
happily settled. Johns the man for
You. Go down to him, and tomorrow
you can send him up to me; I don't
want to SEQ him tonight"
But Christy fingered, kneeling by
her grandmother, really crying softly,
overcome by the tenderness from such
an unexpected source, coming on the
top OF so many disquieting things.
Mrs. Wallace did not allow her to
cry long.
"rhat's enough. Christy!" she said
briskly. "Cheer up and get about
your business. You are keeping the
man waiting"
So Christy had to go down. Mr..
John, listening with the ears OF an
anxious lover, heard every football on
the stairs; heard uncertain steps come
across the hall, uncertain fingers laid
on the door.handle. His heart beat
as irregulsrly as her feet moved.
His eyes sought hers as she entered
eagerly, anxiously. "What has Mrs.
Wallace said to you?"
'She said that John Turton had
come to propose to me, and 1 was
fool il said no. Oh, John! |" she said,
in a voice that was smothered in his
embrace. "if I was not good enough
for Harold"
"Let Harold be; he has done us
harm enough alres iy, Christy," he
said. With his voice tremulous with
multitude OF feelings. clam promoted
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