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. It 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 80
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: ga gentleman had called who had
a special reason for desiring to see Miss
Mason for a moment" With little
start, Kate felt that the visitor must be
Handy.
"Would you mind waiting here for
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.
s'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 week, and, what's
better, they've advanced me some money.
Now 7 m able to take everyday vacation,
and I'm going to run to the old place in
the country to see the folks. Great luck,
ism it p
81 congratulate you from the bottom of
my hearth Kate answered.
''But before l 90 there is something |
must say to 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 r cried
the girl. She knew now who was the
possessor of her love; her doubts were all
dispelled ''No," she went on, 'tbut [
shall be your friend, your warm friend,
always. Please remember that
"You can known how glad | am to
hear you say So said Handy, with smile
of gratitude.
"What? This surely was a novel
wooer
''Why, of course I'm glad. l know
you will keep your word and you will be
kind to me and the little girl I've been
engaged to, and who is coming back with
Inc as my wife. That's what l wanted
to ask of you
'sOh p said Kate Other words failed
her.
81 had letter from her this morning,
he went on, sand that reminds me to give
you back the bill you think is counter
felt You see | sent it to her-her family
is not rich-and | didn' like to ask her to
return it until could give her another.
That's what caused the delay. Here is
the bill at last, and, as I've said before, |
believe it's genuine. But it is yours, and
you can easily settle the point
Kate took the BILL
''You must let me congratulate you
again. she said. 81 hope you will be
very happy, and | shall be delighted to
know Mrs. Handy. And now that I've
congratulated you, you may congratulate
me, if you please. I'm going to marry
Mr. Herrick,, or rather I'm going to tell
him I'm willing to.
''Eh - cried Handy Her last words
evidently 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
eyes," said Kate, sat last