The record-union., 1898-04-18

There is something else TO explain, ;"
he said, awkWardly. I have been here,
to some extent, in disguise. I think
perhaps l had better write and tell you
all about it,
There are still five minutes she
said, looking at the tiny gold watch
on her wrist. Why not tell me now?'
L suppose" he said, with some nerv-
BUSINESS, that under no circumstances
would you marry Mr. Charterhouse?"
Under no circumstances, replied
Miss Langham, decidedly.
He is very rich," he remarked,
and I happen to know that he
L DESIRE" said the young woman,
with much spirit, Il desire not to hear
Mr.. Charterhouses name again.
Your mind is quite made up?''
"Quite."
A porter stood patiently at the door
of the compartment, holding it open
for the passenger to South Africa.
C'There's nothing like a young en-
gagged couple" said the. acute porter
to himself, for making trains late.
They don't careO
But suppose l were to tell you," he
said, taking her hand and holding it,
that Mr.. Charterhouse, who was a
poorish man until three years ago,
When this mine was found on his prop
erty, has been in England lately? Sup
pose l We're to tell you that he has
fallen in love with you
Even that does not concern me,
Mr. Beste''
And supposing I were to tell you
that, to avoid being pestered by finan-
cial people, and to see the little school
girl who has grown so tall and so
so charming, he preferred to call
! himself, not Mr.. Charterhouse, the
| owner of the West End mine, but Mr..
Beste, the manager Of
That said Miss Langham, her
breath coming quickly, would make
all the difference"
! The porter jerked his head toward
the compartment, to hint to his client
| that moments were valuable The client
had no need of this intimation, for he
knew better than the porter how very
precious the moments were
DO you really mean that?'' he
| asked, quickly.
I never say things I don't mean.
Mr. Beste-I mean Mr.. Charterhouse."
She laughed little nervousIy. Il
shall always think Of you as Mr..
Beste."
But will you always think of me?
May l come back here in three months
time and ask you formally
Now, then, sir" said the porter.
you'll go and lose the special, that's
what you'll do"
I mustn't do that, my man. Good
by, Eva. [ must take my seat, L sup
pose"
He stepped into the compartment
and the porter, shutting the door, re-
ceived tip that made him whistle
with delight
And you won't give me an answer
now, then?" he went on. anxiously.
/ wish there was time to persuade
you, dear, to say Yes But I suppose
I must wait until 1 return, and we
must talk it over again and I must try
to induce you
Il think, said Eva Langham, look
ing up, and drawing her gray veil
carefully up from her lips, Il think
that considering how very badly YOU
/ have behaved, the wisest thing you
can do is tots to kiss me-
! There was just time
! And that means?'' he said, delight
eddy.
1T means" she said, that 1 am very.
very happy
! out you go special train to South
ampton. Go slowly for a space, mind
| because there are folk in the train
who are reluctant to leave: GO. SLOWLY
/ because there are hopes and ambi-
/ tlohs among your passengers, and this
/ start OF yours is the first step toward
! thelr realization or their disappoint-
i ment; go slowly, because a bearded
man, with a1ook of content is strain
ing his sight to miss nothing of the
picture Of his future wife.
Well" said Eva Langham to her
self shyly, this has been a busy twen-
ty minutes. Woman at Home