Marble Hill press., 1898-01-20

very little that she could tell. The
language of love is an eloquent one,
but when you are one of the principal
persons concerned you cannot give to
another the history of a pressure Of
the hand or look of the eyes, and still
less of a tone of the voice which tells
you all too eloquently of the state of
feelings which you cause in that other
one.
Yet when Miss Dimsdale came home
from Colchester, having been fetched
from Wrabness Station in an ancient
victoria which had seen better days,
drawn by pair of cobs which, let
use mercifully hope, would never see
worse than they enjoyed in sleek COM
fort at present, she dutifully-ay, and
with pleasure-gave her an animated
description of the party. How Lady
Jane had specially asked for her and
had sent her dear love to her; how
sorry she was, and everybody else, that
Miss Dimsdale had had to go and see
that tiresome lawyer on that particular
afternoon; how Lady Jane had told
her that her new white frock was eX-
quisite, and that she ought always to
wear full sleeves because they became
her so we'll, and finally how there had
been one of the officers from Colchester
at the party and she had been his part
ner in several games of tennis, and
finally that Lady Jane had sent him to
see her safely to the gate. "Our gate,
l mean, Auntie," said Dorothy, not
wishing to convey false impression
"And David Stevenson, he wasn't
there, l suppose?" said Miss Dims-
dale, as she slipped her claret
"No, Auntie, he wasn't" Dorothy
answered. you see, Lady Jane does
not like David Stevenson very much. :"
II know that" said Miss Dimsdale
shortly.
On the whole Miss Dimsdale would
have liked Dorothy to marry David
Stevenson, who was young and a good
enough fellow to make good husband.
He had a well-kept valuable farm of
four hundred acres mile or two from
Graveleigh, with a convenient and
spacious house thereon, of which he
was very anxious to make Dorothy
mistress. But Dorothy had with
strange perversity, said nay over and
over again, and she seemed in no desire
to change her mind now Miss Dims-
dale gave a sigh as she thought of it
for David Stevenson mother had
been her dearest friend-but all the
same, she was not the woman to trv
to force the child's inclination.
"Mr. Harris asked me If he might
call-if he might come and see me"
said Dorothy presently, after a
pause.
"Mr. Harris! and who is Mr.. Har-
ris?" asked Miss Dimsdale, startled
out of a reverie about David Stevenr
sons mother, who, by-the-bye, uncon-
sciously and dear friend as she was Of
Marion Dimsdale's, had stepped in and
married the man of Marion's heart.
"Mr. Harris! He is the officer /
told you about, Auntie, the one who
brought me home" said Dorothy, in
surprise that her aunt should not re-
member.
"Oh, yes--yes. And what did you
say?"
81 told him that thought he
might"
And when?'
ooh, l told him to take his chance"
Dorothy answered.
quite right" said Miss Dlmsdale
who had no notion of making the way
Of gallant too easy and pleasant 10
him. We'll, we shall see what he Is
like when he comes, II we happen to
be at home"
She began then TO tell Dorothy all
about her day in Colchester. What the
lawyer had said, how she had been TO
the bank, and looked in at the sad
dler's to say that the harness Of the
little cob which ran In the village
cart must be oyerhauled and generally
looked to. Then how she had found
time to go In the fancy-work shop and
had bought one or two new things IN
that line, and last of all how she had
been In to the jewelers. to get new
watch-key and had there seen ' on-
derful belt of silver coins which some
one had sold for melting down, and
this had been offered TO her al such a
reasonable price that she had been
tempted TO buy Il.
"Auntlel" cried Dorothy
"0h, did not say II was for YOU.
ihlld,' said Miss Dlmadale promptly.
Dorothy's face fell. and Miss Dlms.
lale laughed. "There, child, there, I
Eon't tease you about It. There II IL
~ the ehimney-Ahelf,"
And Dorothy naturally enough
Jumped 40 and ran 10 open the box IN
shleh the belt was packed. opening Il
ngaEIy. and ullerinE . ery Of delight