The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-02

and to show that he was quite sure, he
edged away from her as much as the some
what narrow confines of the sleigh would
allow.
What do you wish to say, Mr.. Phil
lips?"
Mister Phillips All, then she was
offended To be sure, she had always
called him that, but after his last remark
it must have an added significance.
'I-er-do you like sleigh-riding?"
'Why, of course, or else wouldn't have
come"
Did she mean that as a slap at him?
Was 1t only for the ride and not for his
company that she had come? Oh he could
never make an avowal of love after that
He knew his place. This beautiful girl
was not for faint-hearted caitiff like him,
self.
"Nun-nun-no, to be sure not Ter
though that was why you came"
Mildred turned her gazelle-like eyes up
on him. I'm afraid 1 don't understand
you"
That settled it. If she didn't under
stand him when he talked of nothing in
particular, he must be very blind in his
utterance, and he could never trust his
tongue to carry such a heavy freight as
declaration of love. No. there was moth
ing TO do but postpone it. After all, her
house was the best place for it.
The horse sped on, past mantled mead
ows and through pine woods full of filter
ed moonlight, and Mildred drank in the
beauty of the scenes, and wished that 1t
were decorous for women to propose
The night was ravishng, the slegh-bells
jngled tremendously. the horse swept on
with steady. rhythmic stride, and under
the influence of the sweet surroundings
Mildred at last said pointedly: rs it so
that more people get engaged in winter
than in summer" She blushed as she
spoke. 1t was unmaidenly, but he vas
such a dear gump. Now he would de-
clare himself. But she did not know the
capabilities for self-repression of her two
year admirer.
He said TO himself. What a SLIP. what
a delightful slip! If 1 were unprincin,eI
I would take advantage of it and propose
but | would bitterly reproach myself for
ever, whatever her answer was. so he
said in as matter-of-fact a tone as he
could master when his heart was beating
his ribs like frightened cageling: Il
really can't answer off-hand. but I'll look
it up for you"
DO. Write letter to the New York
Sun"
Her tones were as musical as ever hut
Littlewood thought he detected sarcastio
ring in them, and he thanked his stars
that he had not yielded to his natural de !.
sire to propose, at such an inauspicious
time.
What was that important thing YOU
wanted to say asked Miss Harrington
after several minutes of silence save for
the hoofs and the runners and the bells
"Oh, it wasn't of any importance. I
mean it will keep-I-er-I was thinking
of something else"
Il think you have gone far enough f"
said she innocently, looking over her
shoulder in the direction of home
Maybe the return would loosen his obdu-
rate tongue.
His heart stopped beating and Law. a
leaden thing, in his breast Had he. then
gone too far? What had he said. on
why had he come out with this lovely be,
ing, the mere sight of whom was enough
to make anyone cast all restraint to the
Winds and declare in thunderous tones
that he loved her?
Il think that we'd better go back" he
said, and turned so quickly that he nearly