The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26

as he lifted his hat.
She heSitated.
He saw the hesitation, and said
You would certainly get drenched through
II you were caught in the storm. Do let me
drive you please"
1t would have been positive rudeness to
refuse request urged.
Nora felt this and took her seat beside him
with a courteous word or two of thanks.
She noticed that Sir Basil did not seem
quite himself
His face was flushed and his manner lit
tie Hurried.
II have just met the DOCTOR" he said,
abruptly, as soon as the horse had started
again. He tells me you are going home"
Yes; my uncle wants me. He is not quits
we'll"
After this there was silence for about
minute.
Nora was secretly wondering what made
her companion so fiurrie d. when he turned
TO her, and said more abruptly than ever
Miss Drummond, 1 cart tell you how sorry
am you are going away so soon. There is
something 1 wanted to say to you'll wonder
II you would think it very strange if L were
to say it now
| Nora looked at him in surprise
| She did not understand in the very least
what he meant
That look Of wondarment disconnected Sir
Basil little; but he did not draw back.
Instead, he plunged into\ the very middle
Oh MS subject all at once.
MISS Drummond, will you be my wife?
am deeply-devotedly attached to you, and
pelleVe could make you happy. At any rate.
you would make me very happy II you'd only
give me just d word or two of hope There!
know I've put it badly; but perhaps you'll
forgive me. l really and truly in earnest
and felt couldn't let you go away without
speaking, even though you'll doubtless think
IL queer OF me to speak so Soon l know you
can't care much Tor me as yet: but do please
give me favorable answer if you can
1t was not very romantic wooing.
Sir Basil had chosen his time and place
badly, or, rather, they had been thrust upon
him, and he had thought anything better
than an indefinite delay
But already he almost began to feel he had
made mistake.
The tenderest and most imprisoned of
wooers can hardly make love successfully
when he has a spirited horse to drive, and
the rain is beginning to come down in tor
rents.
The moment Nora did grasp his meaning
she Husned crimson and looked grave.
AS ne saw this, he knew what her answer
would be.
L am very sorry she said, in a calm gen
tie tone; very sorry, indeed, that any such
thought should have entered your mind Of
course, know you have done me a very great
honor, and 1 thank you for it, very truly and
sincerely; butt must decline it, all the
same"
have 1 spoken too soon? Would it make
any, difference if l were to wait?' he asked.
impetuously.
! oh, no; please don't think of it at all! It
could never be-never; 1 am quite sure"
You mean you don't care for me, and
never could
The look of disappointment in his, aves
almost melted her, but she showed no signs
OF this in her outward bearing she an
swered sedately-
Not in that way, Sir BASIL 1 hope you'll
believe me when 1 say I'm very sorry to have
to seem ungrateful to you; but what YOU wish
could never be-
Very we'll I thank you for your frank
ness anyway.
He his liDs tooatbor how'd o,a ,oo,..l
stralght before him, so that she might not
see the bitter disappointment in his eyes.
Then he whipped up his horse, and not
another wCrd passed between them until thew
reached Ivy House.
Before she could stop him, he jumped down
to help her to alght; but he looked aWay
/ from her as he held out his hand to bid her
goodbye.
plainly seen.
Nora told herself his pride and vanity were
wounded, not his heart.
Wont you come inside? 1t is raining very
FAST she said, and although she didn't mean
to speak coldly, her voice did sound cold even
to her own ears.
Thanks; I'd rather not. I've an appoint
ment in ten minutes two miles aWay''
And l was to have been wooed and won in
less than that time!" thought Nora little
bitterly Pretty cavalier wooing! I'm glad
refused him. Indeed, of course was bound
to; for 1 don't care for him a bit And-for
the matter of that-he doesn't really care for
me-" W.
Sir Basil jumped into his dog-cart again:
and urged his hor:e into galop
Nora went into the house, and met Meg
coming out of the dining-room with SER
viette in her hand
Goodness gracious Moral how wet Won
must be- Was that Sir Basl?"
Yes; he overlook me the road. I'll run
up and get my wet things Off Meg"
And Nora UP the stairs as she smoke
She hadn't quite made up her mind to fell
Meg that Sir Basil had made her an offer
and she wanted time to think the matter