The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-10-15

time. They did not work as usual. At
length, however, they left their post and
came slowly up through the garden. They
were conyersing still.
What is it about, wonder?" asked
the young girl, mentally.
The two entered. Robin did not speak;
but Hugh advanced straight to Rose
Rose" he said, gently, there is our
good neighbor Robin, who wishes to mar
ry you. What do you say to it?'
wishes to marry me?' iterated the
young girl, faltering and blushing.
Exactly. Is it not sufficiently plain"
Rose was silent, her eyes east down to
the floor, and her fair cheek reddening
still deeper. The tears fast gathered in
her eyes. Robin wished to marry her.
Hugh turned away, and, with folded
arms, paced the room. Robin came to
her side.
Dear Rose" he said, softly, taking
her hand, 'your father has told you what
have asked him. 1t is true that l wish
to marry you, II you are willing. | did
not think you disliked me. Will you show
me that you do not?"
She did not answer, but sat with her
eyes still cast down, and her hand in his.
Il know, dear Rose" he said, again.
"that am asking a great deal. came
here only few weeks ago, and | was
a stranger. came seeking for work, and
found it. l am poor, and have yet no
home Of my own, but that l trust to have
some day. | love you, Rose, and ask
you If you will promise to marry me
when | am rich enough to buy little
farm of my own"
"But-my father?" she hesitated, rails
ing her eyes sorrowfully, as she thought
of his loneliness. Mono; cannot leave
himw
Rose" said Hugh, turning to her, "the
future is not in your hands. Do not think
Of me. If you love Robin sufficiently we'll
to marry him, answer him at once. All
will be WELL"
"Then will marry you, Robin" she
said in low tone.
"You will forget that l am poor, and
strangerp
Il do not need to forget it," was her
answer. And her glance of timid, af-
fectionate confidence was raised to his.
He bent forward with thrill of inex-
pressible delight, and pressed his lips to
those of the blushing girl.
Sand you will never break your prom
ise, though you should meet with trial
and temptation and dangerY
mo; never-never, Robin; But why
do you fear-and what"
II cannot tell you, Rose. But it will
be long time before we can marry, per-
haps; for will not ask you to share my
lot with me until l have risen higher
far higher than l am now. And no one
knows what may happen in that time. 1t
will be long time," he continued, after.
a while; 'but l shall be patient; for |
want to rise to something better than l
am now, Rose. You are too good to mar
ry farmer, or a gardener. For your
sake, | shall strive to render myself
something higher than either"
"You need not be better than you are,
Robin" said the girl, gently.
"But | mean to become more worthy
Of you, nevertheless" was his rejoinder.
And now Hugh Lamonte turned to
them.
"Snce this is DONE" he said, II give
you both my blessing. Rose, my child"
and he laid his hand solemnly on her fair
head, "be true to Robin until he comes
to claim you, and you will be rewarded"
There was a moment Of deep silence.
The young lover bent down, and telderly
kissed his betrothed bride, from whose
gentle eyes the tears stole down.
And through the opposite easement
glared and cleaned a pair Of fendish
eyes upon that little group. The brig
and-lover, Gasparde, had heard every
word-witnessed every look and action
within. They did not see him; they did
noA hear the bitter curses hissed through
his shut teeth, nor mark the clenched
hand that menaced them.
CTo be eontInuedl