The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-02-17

and worn; she reflected with smart Of
self-reproach that she felt powerless to
cheer him. 1t pleased her little that he
took upon himself the burden of the talk
she wanted time to collect her thoughts,
to have herself in hand. So she listened
almost absently while he spoke of the la
bors of the winter, of the good work that
had been done, and the work not quite SO
pressing they had been forced to pass by;
it was almost like one of his speeches, only
his tone was different, in turn, he spoke of
himself, and of the need he realized of
something new in his life; and then almost
before she knew what had happened, he
had taken her hand and had asked her to
be his WIFE
The expected had come to pass, and she
had been taken by surprise. What she
told him she hardly understood, although
she knew that she neither accepted nor re
jected him; that she had asked time to
consider. Had she been fair to him ?
Hardly; but had he given her greater
warning he might have been answered.
As it was, she had been caught unawares,
and he must wait.
A maid entered the room with mes
sage: "a gentleman had called who mad
a special reason for desiring to see Miss
Mason for moment. With little
start, Kate felt that the visitor must be
Handy.
"Would you mind waiting here for a
little while p she said to Herrick, and
then she went to the reception-roOm where
Handy was awaiting her. As he rose to
greet her, she saw that he was excited,
and that some of his old embarrassment had
returned to him.
Miss Mason, he said, Give some
thing to tell you I've left the road for
good. Today the firm sent me word to
come back to them in a week, and, what 5
better, they We advanced me some money.
Now L IN able to take seven day vacation,
and I'm going to run to the old place in
the country to see the folks. Great luck,
ism t it p
81 congratulate you from the bottom of
my heart? Kate answered.
but before 90 there is something |
must say to you-something | have long
desired to tell you-it may mean so much
for my future-to ask you question:
"Don't, don't; please don t : cried
the girl She knew now who was the
possessor of her love; her doubts were all
dispelled. mo, she went on, ''but |
shall be your friend, your warm friend,
always. Please remember that
"You can t known how glad am to
hear YOU say 80, said Handy, with a smile
of gratitude.
"What p This surely Was novel
wooer
'sWhy, Of course l N glad | know
you viii keep your word and you viii be
kind to me and the little girl I've been
engaged to, and who is coming back with
me as my wife, That's what | wanted
to ask of you
,sOh r said Kate. Other words failed
her.
II had letter from her this morning.
he went on, land that reminds the tn give
YOU back the bin you think Is a counter
felt. You see | sent it TO her-her family
is not rieh-and didn ike 10 ask her To
return it until | could give her another
That what caused the delay. Here i
the bill at last, aud, as | We said before, |
believe j, : genuine But j, is yours, and
you can easily settle the point.
Kate took the bill
leu must let me congratulate you
again. she said II hope You viii be
very happy, and | shall be- delighted to
know Mrs Handy. And now that We
congratulated you, you may congratulate
me, if You please. I'm going 70 marry
Mr.. Herriek. ar rather I'm going to tell
him I'm willing TO-
s.Eh r cried Handy. Her last words
eyide4tly puzzled him "Well, he's a
fine fellow his face cleared - and we II
all be happy at last, Everything Is com
ing out beautifully
Yes, said Kate, "a last