The aegis & intelligencer., 1899-12-01

S0ftene1. he naQ worked ike Tr0-
jan to make them comfortable. He had
actually brought water In slulce pipes
from n spring In the mountain side and
fitted up rude but very seryiceabie
bathtub In the cottage for the use Of
Grace. In fact, she heard of his en-
ergy and industry on every hand. And
she noticed, too, that her father leaned
upon him more and more.
Once she took her parent to task q
little for absorbing SO much of Rob
ert's leisure time.
'"The boy Is full of business" said
her father shortly. Hes carrying a
big load here, and there's no shifting
it till Ingersoll comes back. I've been
doing what can to tighten 1t lit
tle."
Whenever she saw Robert he was in
his rough and ready mining garb-stal-
wart, sunburnt, sinewy. He never al
luded to his clothes, and Grace came to
believe that he never thought Of them.
He was always at ease in her pres
ence, and yet. strange to say. paid her
no compliments, n fact which seemed
all the more remarkable when she
glanced in her little mirror and saw
the pleasing effects Of the pure noun
tain air and the simple, wholesome
diet.
She couldn't understand 1t.
Had he-had he ceased to care for
her? and she whispered this contin-
gency with a sinking heart. Had she.
like the ignorant Ethiop, thrown away
her pearl? Had this splendid, uncon-
ventional fellow quite outworn her
earlier destinations? 1t sadly looked
like it.
Then came the day Of their depar-
ture. and still Robert hadn't spoken.
But along in the early morning he said
to her:
"Shall we take farewell look to-
gether at the happy valleyT
So they walked up the hillside path
q short distance to q wooded plateau
that overlooked the valley and Its
foaming stream for many miles. Rob-
ert had made a little seat just within
the thicket, and they sat down. For a
moment both were silent. Then Rob-
ert spoke.
"well." he quietly said, "have you
reconsideredT
Grace looked up with start There
was a masterful air about him that
fairly paralyzed her tongue. She could
only stare and wonder.
"Time is slipping BY" said Robert as
he consulted his watch. 81 must seize
the first opportunity to speak to your
father"
Grace tried to say the cutting things
that surged In her mind. But when
she caught Roberts eye looking down
upon her with a tenderness Of express
sion that altogether belied the bust.
nesslike form of his speech she gave IL
little gasp and incontlnently surren-
dered.
Fifteen minutes later Robert and the
capitalist clasped hands warmly.
"All right. eh?" queried the latter.
with broad smile.
"Yes. SIR" replied Robert. ut worked
Just rs you wrote ME it would. But 1t
has been a hard part to play"
But you played to win. 1t was the
Olu CLOTHES anu lue uTuSQuS tuuuucl
and. above all. the environment that
served to clinch her affection. for Pm
sure my little girl has loved you for n
long time. my boy"
He took Roberts arm affectionately
and walked with him to the company's
office. and Grace. watching at the cot
tage window and quite unconscious of
the plot that had brought her happi-
ness, knew that all was well.
"Im coming east US soon as Mr.. In
gersoll returns" said Robert when it
came time for the adieus, land then l
can enjoy the luxury Of change Of
wardrobe" He watched her smilingly
as he spoke.
She laughed softly.
"I-I learned to love you. dear" she
murmured. "in that garb. Bring II
with you. lest forget"
at shall be my neglIgee." he laughed
"And another thing. Robert"
"Yes. Grace"
"There mustn't be any razor."-
| Cleveland Plain Dealer.