Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-12-03

this resolution and said that she for her
part would rather stay up stairs and
write.
TRAIN doesn't go till s." said Mark
Wallis cheerfully "There's nothing to
sec at Karthaus, so | thought of having
look round. ~
81 am tired of sightseeing" re-
marked Miss Ladford. 'This will have
all the charm of novelty. May come
with you?"
81 want you to. y
doesn't matter about hat, does it?
Nobody knows us"
Nobody knows us here" he agreed
lightly. "In town we are of course i'm
portant people. AT least you are. Critics
don't count
They walked down the principal lane
of the village. The sun was in it's
pleasantly decorous mood, less obtrusive
than it had been but showing neverthe-
less polite attention. Two stout ma
irons at their doorways remarked to
each other confidentially that she was
older than he, and after some haggling
decided that there was difference of
five years.
NEARLY everything happens for the
best in this world" said Mark Wallis.
eff that train had not been late last
night, it would have been long perhaps
before had /, chance of making my
peace with you"
81 cannot permit" she said quaint
ly, "any reference to a former discus
sion."
''As matter of fact, particularly
want to be on good terms with you,
Miss Ladford. | haven't many enemies,
and do not want to think of you as
one of them
81 believe, be said qu;P:.!, pulling
blade of grass as Jhey walked along,
"that we are going to be very excellent
friends. -
"I'm so gladn' he cried honestly.
"Indeed, l hope that we shall be some
thing more" She did not look at him,
and he went on. "Do you know, Miss
Ladford, | feel very much the want Of
compHnionship at home? I'm almost 49,
but already | am beginning to dread
the possibility of journeying through
my life lonely traveller. Twenty eight
is not too young for man to marry, is
it,"
She shook her head and put her hand
for moment to her throat. Her
thoughts went back swiftly to her first
and last proposal. Dear, dear, what
long time ago that was--nearly ten
years ago. she feared! She remembered
how she had refused the offer because
cl, hot 4 l,o
to say eyes to the first. And since
Miss Ladford remembered this with
little sigh there had not been second.
"What | mean to say is, " said Mark
Wallis, with nervous enthusiasm, that
the time comes to every man when he
meets some one he really likes. If he
misses that chance, it is quite likely
that an exactly similar opportunity
may never occur again. And, although
it may appear very sudden to you, Miss
Ladford, it's not really sudden. you
know"
The poor blade of grass was getting
terribly maltreated. For self possessed
person, Miss Ladford appeared singular
ly tremulous. She found that when she
lifted her eyes from the ground the neat
little cottages danced
81 think-I think we had better re-
turn" she said hesitatingly. "We
mustn't miss the train, and we ought
not to keep my sister waiting"
"Oh, Alice won't mindp' he said
cheerfully.
"Shes dear girl" said Miss Lad
ford, endCavOring to regain her self pos
session. although she's my sister.
have never quarreled with her"
"She can keep secret too. "
"When you know her BETTER Mr..
Wallis, you will find that she is quite
unlike me. That is why we get on so
we'll together, think. don't like to
think that shall ever have to say good
by to her."
''It won't be quite saying goodby,"
urged Mark Wallis. "You see, a honey
noon
"We must talk about it, she inter-
rupted shyly, "when we meet in town."
81 would rather know now" he said.
"Until we reach Luxembourg, then."
"No, nc" he said good humoredly
He took her hand and placed it ON his
arm. 81 must know now. Your sister
will be anxious" Her hand trembled.
"Point of fact, Miss Ladford, l want
Alice to marry me as soon as we get
back to town, if you don't mind"
The way seemed very long back to
the little hotel, and the sunshine ap-
peared strangely blurred. Nevertheless
Miss LadfoId, like sensible woman,
said no word until she reached the
Bahnhof, where her pretty young sister
was waiting. Then she went up to her
and kissed her.
"I-I don't mind" she-said unstead-
ily.-W. Pett Ridgs in Woman at
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