The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-21

81 want nothing but this, said Zeph-
crime.
"Nothin but the letter? Well, here it
is, honey"
Il meant l want nothing but my faith
err" replied Zepherine.
"Wel, he's good chunk of a pres
emit" said Mr.. Sanders and then he went
on distributing the presents.
Suddenly Sarah Clopton asked where
Randolph Darlington had gone.
Hes outside" said Zepherine. II
heard him walking.
Sarah CIopton observed that the young
woman had opened all her presents save
one-the first she had received. But when
Peter Valicombe came and sat by her
father she excused herself She ran to
her room and tore the envelope open. lt
contained a brief note from Randolph
Darlington. He said he had long sought
for an opportunity to apologize for MS
rudeness on the occasion of Mans illness,
and would she kindly permit him to speak
with her a few moments? She placed the
note in her trunk and then stood wiring
ing her hands, uncertain what to do. She
looked at herself in the mirror, and made
mouth at the reflection she saw there.
| Then she went out upon the veranda, and
saw Darlington sitting on one of the low
double seats scattered about the lawn.
| She hesitated, but finally gulped down
| her shyness, or fear, or whatever the
| feeling was, and ran down the steps and
went toward him. Darlington rose to
meet her, hat in hand, and wanted her
! to be seated but she shook her head, and
| Immediately opened the attack.
When you make fun of me as you do
| you are too cruel she declared indig-
nantly. You are too cruel when you
speak to me of apology. You do that be-
cause you know how hurt I am because
of the way 1 spoke to you when Nan was
i'll. Yes, I think it is cruel. Tears were
in her eyes and her lips quivered.
But, Zepherine,' he said a little sad
| ly, Il remember nothing but my own
| rough speech and manner. If you were
| rude you had a right to be. But isn't
there some excuse for me. VIII you for
give me?'
ut is I who should say that" Zepher-
| inc declared; but Darlington noticed that
she was very particular to leave it I'M
said
You haven't answered my question"
he insisted.
Because it has no need of answer"
she replied.
''Well 1 will ask you another that you
will be compelled to answer" he said.
"Oh, compelled She smiled at him,
but there was trouble in the smile "Will
| ne copeled! Well, that is different"
"Will yoI marry me?" he asked
"Will | -" All the color left her
face.
| "Will you be my wife?"
L WI ha in
you come to me. Have you no others to
| conposure and was now, to use one of
Mr.. Sanders comparisons, as cool as
cucumber.
| Il want no other" he answered.
| "Do you think 1 would CONF between
you and Nan? She would break my heart
by hating me-
'Then let us leave the matter to Man,,
| he suggested.
"Why, / never heard of such a thing!"
protested Zepherine. 'You must be" -
81 certainly am. he answered. At that
moment Nan came out of her house, and
when she saw Zepherine and her father,
she ran to them.
Man, I have just asked this young
lady to leave her home here and live
with us"
Nan gave smile of delight. ooh,
won't that be fun?'
But you don't understand" said Zeph
crime
ooh, don't 1? Why, goosey. you must
think I'm baby-and L Will be one when
you come. You'll be my itseybitsey
mamma"
ooh, for shame!" cried Zepherine, get
ting very red in the face. Whereupon Nan
seized her dear friend and squeezed her
as only Nan could squeeze. you'll break
every bone in my body" protested Zeph-
| crime.
"You haven't answered my question,
said the doctor.
Say it, goosey, and be done with it,
| insisted Nan.
ooh! Man. I love you; you know 1t
we'll will do anything to please you"
"Popsy, there's your answer" said
| Nan; and then she ran away to the house,
| very thoughtful and considerate per-
| formance
ooh! I thought all the time that 1
hated you said Zepherine after they
| had talked while. "But when l saw
you holding my dear fathers hand knew
the feeling was something else" She
paused moment, and then exclaimed,
| "What Christmas this is for met"
"And for mel" said Darlington.
(The End.)