The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-02-22
"why don't you give It to Mr.. Ander,

"why don't you give 1t to Mr.. Ander-
sonT'
"Well, you see, 1 don't know him, and
I am not a general philanthropist. If
friend Of mine whom / wished to oblige
were to ask me- But none has. Apro-
pos, want you to do me favor"
Alice's heart beat at this abrupt an
nouncement. Was 1t possible that he
could mean to propose after this extraor-
binary beginningf II so, would she be
glad? Would she be
He made his request In plain, straight
forward language, and she gazed at him,
at first mystiied, then a prey to mixed
emotion, anon aware of a rose colored fu-
ture before her. Her face wreathed In
smiles as she gave her consent.
swell. now, is there anything that you
want from me, little grip
Whereupon Alice, smiling and blushing,
told him what she wanted most.
In the following afternoon Lord VIM
berley called on the Testers and found
them at home. Soon after his arrival
Alice left the room on some excuse. Then
she put on her hat and went out for the
afternoon, telling the servant to say mot
at home" to any callers.
When she returned, she found her
mother sitting in the drawing room, mus
ing profoundly. AS Lady Testers hour
for dressing was past. and her toilet was
q long and important function, Alice felt
that something had happened. She was a
trife anxious, but she did not dare ques-
ton her mother.
The latter opened the ball.
Don't you think, Alice, it was rather
rude for you to go away when Lord VIM
berley was hereT
"No." replied Alice boldly. "He asked
me to. 1t was arranged last night that
should"
Mother and daughter looked 6xedly
at one another.
"He is such a young man." observed
the former vaguely. "He cannot know
his mind"
HE is not such a young man." replied
Alice gravely. "He is a good deal older
than many men of more age. Besides, he
Is serious, devoted to politics. much ad
mired as a speaker, as you yourself said,
and he certainly knows his own mind.
He practically, and very tactfully. offer
ed me place for George with seven hum
bred a year. so that we may be able to
marry and be out of the way II would
help him, and a man doesn't do that IN
less he means business"
"He told me that he thought you would
marry" murmured the widow, land
spoke very generously about you"
"He is very rich." pursued Alice. ''It
would be a mere flea bite to him. VIM
berley is a lovely place. and there is the
coach, and no doubt there would be
house in town and carriages and every
luxury and no more worry and trouble,
and you know. darling. that when you
really take trouble you don't look much
more than half-quite young. in fact, es-
pecially to people who are little short
sighted. as he is"-
"And should be free from your
tongue" interposed the widow sharply,
by no means grateful for these compli-
ments. Eyes, you are right. Lord VIM
berley proposed to me this afternoon.
told him it was sudden. and l would give
him an answer tomorrow. 1 have thought
it over, and l shall say Yes He swears
that he loves me and has never loved
any one else
"And you must love him, too. mother,
DEAR" observed Alice, with catlike soft
ness, cor you wouldn't marry him."
"Of course love OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
from the first. There is no other reason
why should marry him, is there"
But, reviewing the circumstances Of
the case, Alice felt that this answer
might mean anything.-London World.