Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-07-19

| earnest, which am pleased to consider
extremely doubtful will receive you
| for q month CIR two. Mabel. declared
| her ladyship. magnificentiy. and In
| troduce you to those with whom you
ought to associate You shall return
with me to my hons. and gain those
| advantages that this secluded country
| place can never AFFORD,
"Your ladyship is wonderfully kind,
returned Mabel but find this Sc
1 cluded country place quite good
enough for my tastes. Besides, could
| not dream of accepting your invita-
! ton
May / ask why not?" demanded her
| grand-aunt. majestically.
Because there is nothing In the
world to which / should more strenu-
ously object than to spend two months
in your ladyships society" answered
Mabel
You wicked girl" almost screamed
Lady Eagleton, rising and supporting
herself on her gold-headed stick while
she quivered with anger. How dare
you presume SO to speak to me! Caro-
line why do you not order her to leave
the room? Am l, at my age. and after
all the sacrifices | have made for my
family. to submit to the impertinenca
of chit of girl like that
Poor Lady Caroline was terrified.
Dear Aunt Harriet. she did not
mean it," she said-"she did not. in
deed-did you, Mabel? Speak. darling,
and tell her it was all mistake.
h, will
leave this house, never to enter it
again." protested Aunt Harriet, still
raging.
so she will, I am sure. Mabel my
dearest, tell your grand-aunt how sorry
you are for having used the language
you did," said Lady Caroline, imp!or
ingly-"apologize to her."
apologize for WHAT" demanded
Mabel. She asked me to pay her a
visit. and declined. She then inquired
my reasons, and l gave them. do not
see that any apology is necessary
However, she went on. turning to-
ward the old lady, and executing an
impairment little courtesy. ''if it wi
in any way crafty you, l will beg your
pardon, and admit that am extremely
sorry to think | was the cause of put
ting you in such dreadful temper"
Lady Caroline. after considerable diff
f1culty, having managed to smooth
down the old lady's ruffled plumage,
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 wildly that one
little biting question of Lady Eagle
tons, 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 able
to hold her hands and entreat that she
would never forget him.
II shall be back soon." he said-"so
soon that you will scarcely have time
to miss me; and meanwhile l shall
write by every post, and you will do
likewise, will you not?"
TO which she had returned sad,
half-reluctant Yes"
Had he been less wrapped up in sad
thoughts about the coming parting, he
might perhaps have fancied his love
somewhat cold and cruel; but, as it
was, he saw nothing. Presently he
spoke the words that, had they been
uttered yesterday. would have caused
his queen to stand in such a different
light before her tormentor.
Shall l write to your father?'' he
asked. You know, Mabel, it is time
there was some decided understandings
between us. Shall | ask your fathers
consent to a regular engagement, dar-
Eng?'
Yes" Mabel answered. partly COM
forted-'I suppose it will be bast;"
then, sadly breaking down, ooh, Roy,
what shall l do without you?''
After this there ensued fond words
and lingering caresses, and warm as
surances of neyer-dying love; and then
they kissed their last fond kiss and
parted
(TO be cOntinIed)