Smyrna times., 1903-07-15


manly eyes looked their surprise and
disgust across the table.
"Oh, yes l know. You are disgust
ed, or think that have lost my mind.
Here is the situation. Look out of |
that window. Is it surprising that,
after owning that landscape for years
L should be 10th to leave it to people
whom dislike, and who are wholly
incapable of preserving the estate? 1
know you. 1 like you. You are hon
est, sensible, industrious, and with
your experience in managing the
ranch, are finely fitted to make it what
1t might be. Now, as my husban d,
you Will have control of it during my
life and at my death it will be yours.
There is no question of love and all
the preliminary folderol that usually
attend such functions, and we need
make no change in our mode of living.
l only want the legal right to make
you my heir. What do you say? Is
it too sudden"
The mans voice steadied itself ''My
dear Mrs. Winslow, you do not know
what you are saying. This is so un-
like your usual good sense and good
taste. I"
Never mind all that. Convention
alities don't count down here. Down
on the Rio Grande. 1 mean what
say. prefer that you take charge of
this estate on the first of July next, as
my husband. AS a business PROPOSE
ton, it would be eminently satlsfac-
tory to me. What is to hinder it?"
The cool, calm manner, free from all
nervousness, as much as the clear cut
sentences, convinced the young man
that she meant whet she said, and
really awaited reply.
She got it.
Mrs Winslow, have not told you
because it did not concern you, but
you ought to know now. There is a
girl in Chicago whom 1 hope to marry.
/ could not make money fast enough
there and the climate did not agree
with me. l could not ask her to come
TO me until could offer her some of
the comforts of life and could suitably
provide for her dependent mother,
your advertisement attracted me. III
wages were good. 1 liked the work
and pay and-yOu-sO l stayed. She is
both wishing for the day, now some
what nearer, when we shall be to-
gether. Do you wish me to be untrue
to that kind of compact?"
The stately head behind the coffee
nrn was thrown back in indescribable
pride. False to what compact? No,
I'LL only help you to keep it to the let
Ter. I'll not live long. You did mo-
know that, either, did you? Well
I'll not. The doctor gives me two
years at most. You'll be a rich maj
then. You cannot at best, earn one
tenth as much as ranch foreman a
you can as my husband. Then yol
can marry the young lady, and yOl
can love her all the time, if you please
] am not asking for your affection. l
Is Just a plain business proposition
You write to her, state the case clear
IN, ask her advice, and if she is tn
Sensible girl that 1 think you woul
chose, she will be glad to allow yO
the privilege of earning little money
Think it over. Tell me tomorrow.
The beautiful hand went out to
bell. There was a swish Of summe
draperies, and the stately Mrs. Wins
low, widow, rich, beautiful, high
spirited, matter-o fact, left the ROOF
and the man, the latter in state {
tamultous excitement, to which tn;
OF debutante on receipt of her frs
proposal was as mild as that of Ne
England wool-pickIng to day Q
Change.
80 mother, just read this; cannc
tell it."
"My dear, my dear, what is i
From Philip-wants you to wal
Well, but for what-tO allow him
marry the wealthy owner of the ranc
Ny poor girl! What do you think" "
81 can't think. Leave me alor
mother I'll tell you in the morning
The latest rays of moonlight fell
troubled beautiful face pressed clio
to the window sill; the early mornlI
light found it still there.
Perhaps the woman would live I
ye lrs; perhaps Phil would weary
Eating or marry some one else.
She passed into her mothers roc
and said quietly:
Well mother. I'll write to Phil
that consent. I believe him and
him, so mean to be happy and see
the old lady is as good as her word
''It's little unusual, my dear, th
is all. But do as you please, and t
old head turned on the pillow /
an other nap.
TJovel What woman and what