The National tribune., 1903-03-12

Then I looked at the shoe that was still
in his hand. and thought Of how she had
chung to the banisters, calling out good
bye: OF his upturned face-the little anx-
ious Sace-and the grave voice, saying:
I'm come back, Miss May" Now he had
come. He was sitting there opposite to
me, asking me to give him leave to ask
her 20 be his wife.
els it all right?" he asked, in a voice
that showed he could not bear my silence
any longer. III sou say No. 1 will go
away, and never see her again. l could
not bear to win her without your consent
only speak. You are not besitating be-
cause We were so poor, because there was
time when We were starving, be-
cause@
mo, nor interrupted, hating myself.
and feeling my heart go out to him. l
could not say mOre-there was something
choking me. The tears were coming to
my eyes.
''Then speak just one word. Is it all
right?" l gave little nod, for words
had failed me. He got up and walked
about, a great joy written on his face,
and flashing from his eyes. You trust
me, you will really trust me: he said,
stopping before me.
YES, DEAR" / answered. 81 will trust
you" 1t seemed as if he could not hear
room, then came back and stood before
me again.
Il shall never be good enough for her
never" he said.1 with a joyous laugh
never at my best; and perhaps she won't
look at me. l am terribly afraid of that.
Do you think there is any chance for
me?"
II don't know" / answered, for 1 was
not going to betray my child's secret.
h han falt Il
me that there is" he said, simply. TRY
to brighten myself as l will, l feel that
she is the meaning of life to me. Let me
gor' he exclaimed, suddenly want to
be alone, and walk the streets until the
train starts. / cannot stay in a room any
longer. l shall be in Rome the day after
tomorrow, and will telegraph" He took
my hands in both his, and looked at me
tenderly. Il remember the day you came
to see us first" he said; my father was
sitting over the fire; and how glad we used
to be when the roast mutton came. You
always sent enough for us all" he
laughed. "God bless you, dear motherv'
he added; and lifting my hands, kissed
them both. wish me good luck, when l
ask my darling il she loves me-"
Il dol will, with all my hearth
| answered.
The telegram came two days later:
FROM your son InOmaS ana your
daughter May. Our best love to you all.
We are very happy"
And they are very happy still, and will
be all their lives. He lives in England
now, and his name is well known. May
and | are very proud of him. The other
girls are both married. too. One married
the son of Bishop; but / fear it is not
very happy marriage. Nina, the young
est, is a soldiers wife. as / was, and
quakes whenever France is arrogant, or
Germany buys a new big gun, and thinks
there will be war tomorrow morning. He
is good fellow, but he is not like
Thomas. My mother-in-law is still alive;
and she is the one person in the family
who does not know our romance. She is a
stern old lady. proud of her descent from
the Crawford Greys; and she keeps me in
order still. though 1 have married daugh-
tiers of my own. The amusing part of it
is that she is very proud of Thomas. and
says it is odd that the colonies should
have produced SO perfect n gentleman.
1t was only the other day that she sent
him most of her late husbands books; for
she said he was the only man in the fam
lily who would really appreciate them
Blackwood's Magazine.