Smyrna times., 1903-09-09

was udIuly likely InaL ne cOulu DC
quite Indifferent now.
I'm sure I'm handsome enough
yet, " thought Matte, as she looked in
the glass; ''and if he is resentful
about the way 1 answered him, I'll
manage that somehow It's too good
a chance to lose"
Therefore, from that moment, Evan
became the victim of sundry machi-
nations, which were supposed to be of
fatal effect, and was dressed at and
smiled at in a manner which made
the fact that "Mattle Fay was trying
to catch Evan Ware" patent to all
Farmingdale.
By this time, however, the said
Evan Ware was absolutely in love
with Lizzie Gale. She, at least, did
not court his money, and that was
something to be so rich a man.
He forced himself upon her little by
little, till he made his way.
1t was spring; lovely May, fresh
and beautiful as May could be, and,
according to custom, a grand picnic
was on the tapis. At that picnic Evan
Ware had resolved to try his fate for
the second and last time; for should
Lizzie Gale refuse him, he would
never offer his hand to another woman.
And, ignorant of this, at that same
picnic, Matte Fay had resolved to
bring her old admirer to the point.
cts only pique, know that keeps
him from speaking" she said, as she
looked at herself in the glass, land
I'll go all lengths to cure that. >"
The day appointed arrived. Evan
Ware maneuvered with success, and
found himself at the outset just where
he wished to be-in a little vehicle
only cagable of holding two, with
Lizzie Gale by his side. The ride was
long one, and there were plenty Of
chances for tender speeches and soft
glances. Lizzie was yielding slowly
aud when in the quietest part of the
road, after all the other vehicles had
passed them, Evan paused entirely,
and looking into her eyes, said:
Lizzie, 1t remains with you to de-
eide my fate-you can send me back to
China or keep me here" her eyes
dropped, and she made no pretense of
Misunderstanding him.
The next moment he had said: "Will
you be my wife, Lizzie?" and had
taken her hand and pressed it to his
lips; and then, finding no denial, had
kissed her out and out.
1t was a quiet sort of thing, but
they were quiet people, both of them
So quiet that by the time they alighteC
Lizzie had begged Evan mot to sci
people talking" by devoting himself
too entirely to her just yet; and Eval
had promised. Consequently Mis-
tress Matte, arrayed in pink for thu
occasion, and looking certainly very
6 young and pretty. found the rich mer
chant at her r1ercy and took possession
q of him.
She walked him around a romantic
n pond and down into a charming greer
y meade W, and talked of ''the days tina
were past" in very sentimental man
ner.
I'VE are so foolish when we ar,
i young, Mr.. Ware. "
Indeed we are"
"And so repent our fOlly-I do,
e know. I'm sure don't know how t
y approach the subject; but you re
4 member how rude was on the bridg
a how ridiculous. You never can hav
J. forgiven"
n "Indeed I have, Miss Fay"
e "Entirely?"
G Entirely" he replied.
!, ''You know it wasn't from the heart
O Girls are so singular. The mOmen
a you had gone 1 wanted to call afte
you. If you had asked me the ques
tion the second time, 1 should hav
q answered differently"
W "Men are generally too proud to re
10 peat such question" said Evan. g
# am"
,e But the lady was not to be baffled
w ''In matters of the heart pride shoul
d have no place" she whispered. SEC
ID my part, I'm ready to throw my asid
in and say
ID But Evan Ware was thorough
20 frightened.
Don't say anything either of L
ID might regret" he said, "because
ye this very morning, put that questio
as to another lady and was answere
r favorably."
le Matte stared at him; she could n,
ed believe her senses. But a sense
RS shame and anger gradually broke upc
lie her, and putting her kerchief to h.
d. eyes she sobbed out: you're hear
of less firt, sir!" and founced away.
e, Evan Ware sat down upon a bar
&C. and unused.