The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-05-06

O4udlC.
II think" he said, apologetically,
"that your aunt is very anxious that
you should make a good marriage"
These good marriages are. all bad
ones" declared Eva Langham, hotly
"Mr. Beste, you must help me. l can
not allow my aunt to make me appear
shameful and ridiculous in peoples
eyes. You must promise not to say II
word to Mr.. Charterhouse about me.
don't know him, and 1 don't want to
know him.
HE saw yon once, think, when you
were girl at school,"
Il beg of you, Mr.. Beste, to do this
for me. l shall marry-when 1 dc
marry-just whom l like, and 1 will
not consider any one whom don't
like"
L am glad to hear you say so'
Il should not dream of saying any
thing else"
Il thought, from what your aunt
said, that you UNDERSTOOD
Indeed, indeed, Mr.. Beste," she said
PASS>NiisoAS, you iHuSI uOt Inluk Sc
badly of me as all that"
Il can't tell you how glad am" he
said, honestly, ito hear it. shall. at
any rate, take away pleasant memories
now
Thank you''
and he went on, with something
OF hurry in his manner, 81 shall
think of you great deal, Miss Lang
ham. Now that you have told me this
shall look back upon this visit to
England as one of absolute delight"
"And-and you will come back
again?'
He waited moment.
L wonder whether 1 might write to
you?' he asked.
L think" she sad, looking up with
a pleased expression, that there is no
law against that"
Il was afraid you would consider it
an impertinence or my part"
"You find that l do not"
Ihere is something else to explain. !"
he said, awkwardly. Il have been here
TO some extent, in disguise 1 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?"
Il suppose" he said, with some
nervousness, that under no circum-
stances would you marry Mr.. Charter
house?"
Under. no circumstances" replied
Miss Langham, decidedly.
He is very rich" he remarked, "and
! happen to know that he''-
4 desire" said the young woman.
with much spirit, 81 desire not to hear
Mr. Charterhouse's name again."
Your mind is quite made up?"
"Quite!"
But suppose were to tell you he
SAID, taking her hand and holding il
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 were 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 Won
that, to avoid being pestered by finan-
clal people, and to see the little school,
girl who has grown so tall and $3.50
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 eli
ent had no need of this intimation. for
ne knew better than the porter how
very precious the moments were.
DO you really mean that?" he ask
ed, quickly.
L never say things 1 don't mean,
Mr.. Beste-I mean, Mr.. Charter
house" She laughed little nervous
ly. Il shall always think of you as
Mr. Beste."
But will you always think of me?
May 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"
Il mustn't do that, my man. Good
by, Eva. l must take my seat, I SUM-
| 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 anxiouslv. 81
wish there was time to persuade YOU
dear" to say Yes But l suppose l
must wait until l return, and we must
talk it over then, and 1 must try to
/ induce you"-
Il think" said Eva Langham. look
Ing up, and drawing her gray veil care
fully up from her lips, Il think that.
considering how very badly you have
behaved, the wises: thing you can do
/ is to--is to kiss me-"
There was just time.
And that means?" he said, delight
ediy.
1T MEANS" she said, that l am
vaTy, very happy"
Out you go, special train to South
Gf6ntOn. Go slowly for a space mind