Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-06-21

"a'So an picASou 10 cOnAlo0p
extremely doubtful. will receive you
Tor month or two. Mabel" declared
hsr iadyship. magnincentiy. "and In
troduce you to those with whom you
ought to associate. You shall return
with me to my home. and gain those
advantages that this secluded country
place can never afford"
Your ladyship is wonderfully kind"
returned Mabel. but find this Sc
elnded country place quite good
enough for my tastes. Besides. I could
not dream OF accepting your invita-
ton"
May ask why not?" demanded her
grand-aunt. majestIcaily.
Because there is nothing In the
world TO which should more strenu-
onsiy object than to spend two months
In your ladyshIp's society" answered
Mabel.
You wicked girl" almost screamed
Lady Easleton. rising and supporting
herself on her gold-headed stick while
she qulyered with anger. How dare
you presume so TO speak to me! Caro-
line. why do you not order her TO leave
the room! Am !. AT my age. and after
all the sacrifices | have made for my
family. to submit to the impertlnence
OF a chit OF girl like that?''
Poor Lady Caroline was terrified.
Dear Aunt Harriet. she did no,
mean H." she said-"she did not. In
deed-did you. Mabel! Speak. darling.
and tell her IL was all a mistake"
she shall apologize to me. or l will
leave this house. never to enter IL
again." protested Aunt Harriet. stIll
raging.
SO she viii. am sure. Mabel. my
dearest. tell your grand-aunt how sorry
you are for having used the language
you did" said Lady Caroline. implor-
ingly-''apolos!zc to her
Apologize for what7" demanded
Mabel. she asked me to pay her a
visit. and | declined. She then inquired
my reasons. and gave them. do not
sec that any apology is necessary.
However" she went on. turning to-
ward the old lady. and executing an
impcrt!nont little courtesy. III II will
In any way sratify you. Will be. your
pardon. and admit that I am extremely
sorry To think was the cause OF put
tin. you In such dreadful temper"
Lady Caroline. after considerable dis-
neuity. having managed to smooth
down the old lady's rufiicd plumaSc.
she consented TO forgive and forget,
and once more peace was restored.
But Mabel. when the terrible last
hour" came the following day. though
she never for a moment doubted Roys-
ton. yet felt somehow shy and con-
strained. remembering v!vidly that ono
little biting question Of Lady Eagle
toms. as to whether he had ever made
her the requisite offer OF marriage. :
Meantime Roy's sorrow had swal-
lowed up all nervousness and every
other sentiment. leaving him only ablo
to hold her hands and cntrcat that shc
would never forget him.
II shall be back soon" he saId-"so
soon tha, you will scarcely have time
to miss me: and meanwhile shall
write by every post. and you will do
likewise. will you no,!''
To which she had returned a sad.
half-rciuetant Yes"
Had he been less wrapped up In sad
thoughts about the coming parting. ho
might perhaps have fanc!ed his love
somewhat cold and cruel: but. rs Il
was. he saw nothing. Presently he
spoke the words that. had they been
uttered yesterday. would have caused
his queen" TO stand In such different
light before her tormcntor.
shall | write TO your father7" he
asked. You know. Mabel. II is timo
there was some decided understanding
between us. Shall I ask your fathers
consent to n regular engagement. dar-
ling?"
Yes" Mabel answered. partly COM
forted-"t suppose 1t will be bcst:"
then. sadly breaking down. "oh. Roy.
what shall do without your
After this there ensued fond words
and lingering caresses. and warm as
suranccs OF never-dying love: and then
they kissed their last fond kiss and
parted.
(To be continucd)