The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-26


eligible tombstone must be upheld at
ali costs.
Also after supper there was brief
| conference at the big tree IL was leave
! taking. for Marks would have TO 50 over
| to Crabbeville next day 10 press his can
| vass among the directors OF the biz IN
| hrmary.
you won't give me up easily will you
| darling?"
For answer Alice rubbed her face
| against the left lapel OF Bryton Marks
suppose they intercept my letters to
! you? What viii you do?'
! 'Iu wait until some evening l fnd
! YOU here" Then the girls voice was
! broken by sob.
And II / should come over rom
! Crabboville and not be able 10 see you
! alone. It's very hard TO arrange Inoso
| things sometimes. You must com ny
| and look for a nail stuck in the runh
u This tree-this big one. See? Ihat WI
/ mean that ! have been here ana 'ha'
! my heart IS nailed 20 yours
J'he next morning DIT. Kerr made quite
n llftle speech 10 Or. Marks The eider
! physician. I'm handing very handsome
| testimonial 10 the younger, saio lh suo-
| stance: Now, my young inehu' IT. CIV
| me great satisfaction 20 be apie TO Uo
| this much for you. / have no oouD1 "u'
! tbat a bright future is opening Deiore
/ Won. Knowing the value 90 you of what
/ lam doing i'm your behalf have the less
/ hesitation I'm asking some little sacrhce
I'm return. even though the request
| make may have the appearance ol-e'
| Of inhOspitality.'
l DR.. Kerr was reputod a good speaker In
| that neghborhood.
/ "I feel constrained by circumslances
/ 20 ask that YOU will not again WISH thls
J house until my daughter, Alice shlH
| have-shall be suitably settled IN me-
! believe that the time viii not beer
/ very prolonged
J THAT shall ne distinctly understood
/ SIR" said Hryton. And he said TO him-
] self iuwardly, els that allt
| And three months passed away until
I the leaves on the tree We're turning ye.-
I low Dr. Kerr grumbief that that young
| man had not acted mp 20 the spirit OF
! the bargain. Yet Alice received never
} letter from that young man, nor once
! saw his face in all tnat time. But an-
! other young man. and a well-taVored one
/ too. all but his unfortunate eye. was con-
/ slant in his attentions, visiting Alice
/ every other day.
| 1t was late IN September when Mrs
! Kerr remarked i'm q casual way 10 her
| daughter, 81 don't see what there is so
/ dreadful about Mr. Johnstone.s eye, my
| dear. Which eye is it?'
Alice sighed ana said "Oh, I don
| know. / shall end by hating both his
/ eRes. II this goes on much longer
! After a surCharged stiffness of one min
\ ute Mrs. Kerr began again, speaking very
( sadly: ~ do wish you could get TO ike
J him. daughter. Your two brothers at coll
! lege' Another pause. Your father
| practice it not what IT was Another
| pause. "He won't wait much longer Suli
J no answer from Alice.
| "If ne should ask you to-day or to-
! morrow, Alice. don't YOU think YOU could
/ give him little hope? You haven't heard
/ from Dr. Marks an this time. How DO
! you know he still cares anything for
| you?"
| Alice came very near 90 spilling some OF
/ the tears that hung on her neither eye
| lashes. But instead Of doing that. she
! gently lifted her head as this last Ques-
! ton and looked her mother fun I'm the
| face. And the strange thing about %
was that Mrs. Kerr blushed ana avoided
| her daughters gaze.
But the desirable tombstone himself
I came TO the rescue. entering the sitting
| room just when his advocate was won
| dering what she should do or say next
| tombstone was very wei dressed, I'm cord
| riding icggines. He looked his best in
! that everyday attire I'm which me was
| accustomed TO ride over 90 the Doctors
! To-day he meant business. evidently. and
! the unpleasant expression of his eye was
| none the less pronounced on that account
| Alice I'm a very busincsslike fashion rose
| and surprised both her mother and hel
! sutton by proposing TO stroll with him
! until supper time.
"You are going 10 stay 70 supper. I
| hope, Mr. Johnstonc2' she said very po-
! hteiy. If not cordially
| When they were together plucking
! opeu-air chry santhcmums and other Cow
/ ers in the doctors 'front.' garden, the
| young farmer said 90 her: "AlIce, j can't
! wait any longer You have kept me ON
| tender hooks for too many months"
Very wel.' said Alice quietly. Would
| You like a yellow chrysanthemum for
I your buttonhole or q white?'
Either Will do, If YOU give il 10 mo-"
J Then 81 shall Doe yellow. Let us walk
/ ont along the street ] don't think IT'S
/ cold enough Tor me 60 wear a wrap. do
you?'
Of don't know. II seems warmth We
! don't stay ont after sunset. Are YOU going
| 20 give me that answer"
well promise me one thing"
/ Anything"
Whatever answer ] give you. you
won't say anything about Il to mamma
or papa to-day"
That's a funny IDEA. isn't ~"
you said Anything =
every well then"
AS they walked along the suburban
street that went by the doctors from
| gate. tombstone thought 10 proGtably enc
ploy the time by picturine che bliss OF
I married life on wel-appointed farm
At last he said GIVE me your an
swer. Alice VIII Won have mc?'
Alice. for the ff,icth time. was re-
PEELED by the expression of this suitors
! eye.
or don't know" she said. obviously.
Lets get out of this street into The back
iane-the little road"
"But you will give me your answer
! before We turn back won't you2'
"Oh, yes. Look over there. The Sun IS
beginning 20 set DO YOU understand
weather signs? | want 70 know II that
means fine weather Tomorrow"
81 believe 70 means clear DRY weather"
II wish I was a prophet" Alice re-