Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-10-24

/ and reproachfully.
IL beg your pardon-what dld you
sayr"
-Oh. nothing. nothing" he respond
ed hastily, fearing he had been too pre-
cipjtate. What charming room this
isw
Now you must have some tea. she
said. after rather an awkward pause,
laying down her fan, and moving ID
the table Being an old maid IN
rather fussy, so you must not talk
while I'm making tit distracts my
attention she added with a forced lit
tie laugh
He watched her with growing pleas
ure as her hands busted with the cups.
the lamp rays touching the gold in her
hair.
Its like old times, watching you
make tea. Celia. | wish ii would be
my privilege always.
Il told you not TO talk" she said
with playful severity.
But | must Don't be so tantaliZ-
ing. dearest. I'm not to touch tea till
I've had your answer. till you've prom
ised, in fact" his voice dropped to an
earnest whisper, and he crossed the
room to her side. ito be my wife"
She glanced at him bewildered-
''Er-er-in fact, of course, scarcely
in theory she said vaguely.
Celia" he exclaimed, what on
earth do you mean?"
A dead silence followed. She saw by
his face that something was wrong.
and her agitation increased when he
commenced to pace restlessly about
the room, muttering to himself in an
undertone:
Ever since I've been abroad I've
lived and worked in the hope of one
day winning you, but now it seems as
though
She looked up puzzled. What did
you say:' she asked desperately. Il
did not quite catch it. but it is your
own fault 1 told you not to talk while
l made tea-two Jumps of sugar, isn't
it? You see, I've remembered the cor
rect number-and half the cream jug
you were always terribly greedy, col
onel. THERE" She handed him the
cup and caught up her fan. Now you
must begin all over again. 1 don't
think you've lost the spice of humor."
And she flashed a nervous little smile
over the top of the fan.
Celia" he said slowly, raising his
voice till it rang through the room.
this is not time for joking"
The anger in his tone and his hurt
expression frightened and bewildered
her; with gesture of despair she turn
ed away.
IF only it hadn't been for the mus
"a holt
'.AIustache.' he exclaimed eagerly.
hopefulness staring into his tone rs
that your only objection? How 1 wish
l had known before l came! But I'll
have it off directly
He was standing beside her again,
and now he rested his hand on her
shoulder; but she shrank from his
touch and turned away. half crying
and wringing her hands.
Il thought 1 could have managed,
but l shall have to tell. 1 can't go on
like this" she sobbed.
Tell me what? That there is some
one else?"
He turned abruptly away, and flung
himself in the armchair, burying his
face in his hands.
lust my luck" he said brokenly.
But it's hard after all this time, and
now when it seemed all plain sailing
to hear that-thatI have a rival.
But" reproachfully. you needn't have
kept me so long in suspense, Celia
A moments silence followed. Then
she left her seat and walked to the
fireplace and stood looking down at
him, toying nervously with her fan.
Il can't hear what you say" she said
at last desperately, fiinging the fan
from her. Il should have told you'll
am deaf. but couldn't bear to use my
ear trumpet just at first, because l
thought you would regret having come.
l know men have a horror of deaf old
maids"
She laughed Historically as she pro-
duced the trumpet from the little bag
at her side and adjusted it.
1T was just my silly pride.'' she con-
tinued quickly, land 1 thought 1 could
manage with my fan. You see, it has
this tube in the center, which carries
the sound through my lips-and then
l understand lip reading-if it hadn't
been that your mustache conceals
yours
rs that all:" he interrupted eagerly.
starting up and placing his hands on
her shoulder There isn't anybody
eIse?''
Anybody else, where?' she asked.
i mean any one you care more for
than me-whom you intend marrying?a
Mo" she faltered. the color rush. |
ing into her cheeks but what an odd
question
Not at ALL he answered delighted. +
ly. Cant you guess. Celia, what
have been asking you, Or and his
eyes twinkled merrily-"shall l begiE
all over asain:" /
But it was scarcely necessary. for
though she blushed still deeper she did
not now resist when he took her hands /
in his.-Mainly About People.