The Lamar register., 1899-02-01

Z
\ a conversation as Preston contemplate
ed atmosphere and surroundings were
everything. He chose a shady seat
that overlooked the lower OF the two
ponds across whose surface some
swans and ducks sported. In the back
ground there was rustic bridge cross
ing a miniature waterfall. TO boraAr
which pretty Toeksry had been oor-
structed, Had Preston been a sciens
tist. he could not have studded more
closely the relation OF the environment
to the subject in hand.
After freely cutting up the gravel
with his walking stick. an act which,
Instead OF Disgusting. only further b.
trayed his agitation to the girl, be
broaehed the topic nearest his heart.
Suppose. Mary, that you loved some
one--a man. mean-yery deeply, and
we're not sure that love was returned
how would you aCt2"
Diver In Icy Serpentine on a winters
morning never plunged SO darlngly,
The sentence wound itself on like a
reel. She looked up surprised. but
sighted the passion in his question,
and sought the depths in herself
whence alone the answer could htiy
come.
Il sn afraid. being a girl. I should
simply have to wait in silence"
We'll suppose you were I, then
man-and loved a girl with every atom
Of your being. Suppose It ehoked yoa
to keep quiet, and yet you dreaded her
possible answer like the plague, SUP
pose-but there. you can see how feel
What would I not give 10 know that
she shared these feelings. too"
Preston spoke with surh Arior and
warmth that the misunderstanding
which snsued was not in the least
extraordinary. Mary had never heard
such a speech from a mans lips be-
fore. and knowing nothing Of Preston's
other affair, she took Il to refer 20 her
selE She was modest girl. and her
first disposition was to Zee. Totally
unread in those popular wecklies that
minister 10 the needs Of sentimental
misses, she could recall no guide TO
conduct in this dlfHcuii crisls. And
she cared for Preston--earcd FOR him
far more deeply than she had ever sup
posed In this moment OF revelation
her heart stood clearly forth and shc
let ii speak for her. In voice thin,
quayering. yet rich with sincerity she
replied:
Suppose she loves you. after allT-
Preston could not mistake the per
sonal infection in the tones He
turned sharply round. and caught her
eyes before they went down. There
was an open declaration In them that
yet in no way shBmet her WomanhoOd.
What had he doneT How should he act
nowT He might point out the misun-
derstanding. but II would be terrible
for her; she would feel that she could
never look him in the face again. For
her honor's sake, he must not retract-
There were doubtless other consider
atoms al work Perhaps he was sick
of the turmoil Of his emotions Perhaps
he had begun to suspect that ideals
were unmarkstahle. and that that other
great love o. his would never have ful.
nillment Perhaps he was tired OF chat
about his butterfly propsusitiez. and
yearned for engaged responsibility
Perhaps Mary's eyes that moment at.
tained depth OF blue he had never
seen elsewhere, and her heartfelt words
had laid rosiness on his lips unknown
there before The inner facts we shall
never know; the outer we're that Pres
ton caught her hand in his. and poured
into her ears confession tha, ave
minutes before had been Intended for
another girl
Next day the whole Of our little world
knew that Arnold Preston was engaged
to Mary Culliford. A considerate friend
OF his posted us with the news as We
went into church. so We were delight
fully independent OF the sermon for a
source of reflection. In the light of the
details herein set forth. midsummer
madness seems light term to apply to
the affair; but from a quiet observation
Of the pair concerned. opine that
heaven sometimes connIyes at a mar
riage by misadventure.-Ex Exchange.