Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-06-19
ROCKY FORD, COLORADO, FRIDAY, JUNE 49, 1908

strained expression observable when
he was III at ease, ana he. too. hnd
seemed on the point of speaking OF
something on his mind. Ever since his
shrinking from her proffered conf.
dencc. he had. unknown to Eleanor.
been victim of remorse and had
been trying to screw up his courage so
far as to request her to make a state
ment OF her perplexlties. Thus It hap.
pened that there were occasional
lapses In their conversation. when
each sat tonguetled In the presence of
the other. yet wholly unaware of the
others uneasiness.
Remore proved In the end the more
potent factor. and Uncle Phineas was
the first TO speak. II was just after
luncheon. when he had fortified his
tagging resolution with beer and sand.
wlchcs.
My dear" he began. and then
halted.
As this was not his ordinary phrase
In addressing her. Eleanor looked at
him. inqulrlngly. realizing that what
he had To say must be out OF the com.
mon run.
My dear" he resumed. Il am afraid
you got nm impression the other day
the day you arrived. you remember
from my manner when you spoke to
me Of wishing to ask my advice as to
some mnttcr-that I was-ch-nOt cN.
aetly encouraging YOU see. felt some
natural difidcncc. Ms ! told you at the
time, In mcddlIns with afal'S OF the
experience OF mn old bachelor like
me" He paused. and laughed ncr.
vously. then. as though he were deter
mined. now that the piung. was taken.
TO face the situation sluarcIy. he said.
with an earnest air. But. my dear. II
can really be OF service to you In
helping you reach n decision abou,
any matter. you must speak and let
me know what II Is. and not mind my
bcaTiRhncHa. for you are III. apple OF
my eye ms you ought tn know. and I
am more anxious that you should b1
happy. and make n success Of life.
than I am for anything else In tho
world. Come he added. more bil,hc.
~. gaining ease through his own sin.
ccfiiy. make clean breast Of II. Lc,
IN. know the facts In the case. and {
~Ili do the best I can to solve your
dificuliI-k.'
Eleanor. who had listened to him at
FIRST pcrpicx.diy. vas regarding him
ROW with blushins m"rTimcnt.
There IL a matter I wish TO speak
tn you about. Uncle Phin. but IL Isn't
in the least of the Kind you evidently
suppose. rather ;hink tha, I quit.
agree with wha, you said the other
day. that In love affairs a woman had
better max. up her own mind with.
out asking anyboiy's adyIcc-r,on ad.
vice as sensible as yours would surely
be: and you must once and for all SC;
the idea out of your head can't
imaEinc how u ever got ihcrc-,hat
I am In love or engaged. or thinking
about being engaged. or. In fact. that
the notion of marriage Ia anywhere
lurkin. In my brain. Nos. II you will
promise me this. and say ,ha, you
believe mo on your word Of honor.
I'll tell you whs, I really wish TO has,
your advice about. You believe me,
don't you. Uncle Phin7
'of course. II you say 80. Peach
btb@sbWs yhH buEHt w W. huT U'sk
judge" he answered. with an cquivo.
cal air. as he struck a match to iiFht
his mcrrschaum.
Eleanor leaned forward and blew
out tn, flame. and sna,chci up tho
matchbox from the table.
You are psrvctsr. obstinate
man." she cried. Now you shall not
have a single Whit until you toll mo
you arc convinced ! am speaking tho
truth" She sat down on the arm of
his easy chair. and bending over.
looked into his eyes. what have I
said or done to make you imagine any.
thing so absufdf-'
why absurd7- he asked. restored
to cauanimity.
"of course 4, would be absurd. I
don't intend to think Of marriage for
ave ycars-if ever"
"'Mcthinks the woman doth pfo,es,
too much.'"
ITO he coutiuucdD