The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-05-29

pond is down; fell In the August storm,
Baston tells me-"
'Oh, am so sorry We used to"
she paused, blushing.
Yes" he responded. 80 we did"
And he glanced at her laughingly.
And the houseT she hurried on;
''how does it lookY
"Awfully-everything gone to pieces;
dust, cobwebs and mold everywhere;
the family portraits white with mil
dew"
'Oh. Tony" she cried, show DREADFUL
You really ought to do something about
them
II shall" he said. II was fond Of the
place as lad, and the trip down here
has awakened all the old feeling. am
tired to death OF society, the exertion Of
dancing '-smillng-'and the bother OF
being agreeable to people that one
doesn't care n 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"
81 imagine" she replied. that II
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 n society
girl. used to n good deal Of gayety and
movement and excitement, and 1t does
not seem quite fair to ask her to come
down here, does It? 1t looks conceite>
and selfish. as II one thought 900
deal OF oneself, don't you known
She looked at him gravely
do know herY she asked. "Is she
some one you have known a long
timer
ION, yes, since l was quite a boy"
''Is she pretty?'
"Of course, you ought to know that"
"And clever?'
81 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, into
Taught am obliged to admit that she
does. You see, she has been out a lot,
and the rosy bondage is a bit out of
place; natural enough, don't you
thlnk?"
81 suppose o"-doubtfully-"one can
not go through life with ones eyes
shut; that is, If anyone has any brains,
and yet. somehow or other, / 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 | shall"
you always said" she went on,
that / might choose n wife for you.
Don't you remember just before you
went TO college that last ride we took p
"Assuredly."
How 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. l 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 l shall not take a base ad-
vantage Of your implicit confidence and
refuse my consent altogether? You
don't know how lonesome 1t will be
going out next winter without you. |
have got so used to having you around
that l don't believe I'll enjoy myself In
the least unless you are there"
She pondered a moment.
Come" she said Il will compro.
mise. l won't forbid the banns alto
gether, but you must not think Of mar
rying until am tired Of society and
ready to take the fatal step myself.
How win that suit you?"
Perfectly, If you don't put it of toe
long"
"Oh. well. that don't know. have
about decided to be a splnster"
'Come. now. that isn't fair. Suppose
we agreed to be married the same dayi
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 of very gently
and slipped a loop Of diamonds on hel
finger
The blood flashed to her cheeks.
"rony," she cried, the full meaning
OF his action breaking over her. Tony
l don't understand. -"
. "Oh. yes, you do" he answered
drawing a reassuring arm about her
"but for fear you might make a mis-
take and go off and marry another fel
low. l will make my meaning clearer
, love you'll have always loved you.
, have never dreamed OF asking anyon,
else to marry me. l would have tolC
you so before. but you are such (
dreadful little dirt that was afrait