The weekly Corinthian., 1904-06-01

this week. feel as II might broach the
matter more-more-" She fioundered
for the right word: she was beginning
10 be a hit phased By the situation.
''Oh. we'll, oil right he said cheer
lily. for. truth to tell, he was expecting
q very important client, who was due
thatve minute Say tomorrow ever
ing. viii that doy'' II suited him very
we'll to cali on her as he thoroughly en-
ioyed an hour with Ina Patterson, who
was both bright and clever, And thus
It was settled,
Ina was relieved when, next evening
arrived, to find that all the family were
going out. for though she stuck manfully
to her purpose, she had to acknowledge
a slieht nervousness which could not be
fought off,
AS the electric bell whirred sharply
she gave an Involuntary start, then
opened the door herself, and ushered in
Mr.. Graham. She hovered around him
while he divested himself of overeoat
and hat. afterward she took him to the
library, all the time in an inward flut-
ter as to how the momentous question
was TO be put. They were comfortably
settled. talking generalities. when Miss
Patterson suddenly paused-they were
drifting farther and farther from her
point She pulled herself together and
made q plunge.
"Mr, Graham, you have known me
long time; do you like me?"
''Inmensely; you and always get on
swimmingly. Now ten me what it is
you want" He came forward and took
her hand.
''You know it Is leap YEAR," with shy
hesitauons it was not so easy, after all.
"Y-e-s,@ he dropped her hand and sat
down abruptly,
well" she began. in now-or-neveE
tone of voice. Il have decided to ask you
to marry me; viii your"
"Ina-NIiss Patterson, you are surely
Joking
'.No.@ with a decided shake of the
head.
''But-I-I-am sure We are not at all
suited to each other. l had noidea you
thought of me in that way"
Il didn't; it all came about suddenly
Unexpectedly. OF course, yea know my
circumstances. l have enough to sup
port myself, but my income can go nC
further. You are aware of just how
much my father left me. think If {
woman proposes, she ought at least to b
able to support a husband, don't your"
He laughed, in spite Of his discomft
\ ture. SIM awfully sorry, but it is out o
the question. am Grabbed old bach
elor, and so set in my ways would spoi
your life. You deserve better fate" J"
you refuse. then?s Eagerly. On
would have thought that she had bee
reprieved from instant death.
Il must declines though, believe me
/ am sensible of the great honor yo
have done me in wanting to marry me.
"oh. but I didn't I didn't" Wit
startling animation. Don't apologize
please. L am so relieved. They can't sa
/ shirked, anyway"
: But do not understand" rattle
stifly. This was distinct slap at hi
$ vanity, and he felt tribe miffed, to sa
e the least,
Twill endeayor to explain, which sh
a did, winding up with: And 1 coul
? think of no one else in the whole rsns
4 of my aequaintances whom l could eI
: dure in the light of husband" Th
= SORT OF relieved his eomplaeeney. g
. you had accepted me 1 should have trie
v to do my duty, but am 50 glad yC
! didn't" she added. with rush. as
3 fearful lest he change his mind. "NO'
let me sing you something, and We vi
= forget there is such a thing as metI
W mony" With gay laugh, as she scat
S herself at the piano.
e Strange to say, after that Horace OR
- ham could not get Ina Patterson out
,e his thoughts. Her face would rise
II sistently between him and his work,
ie kept looking back to that memorial
70 evening; every time he saw her S
:. seemed to take on some new charm-u
Us til at last he came to realize he want
"a her badly. Her proposal had thro7
n him out Of his rut. And then her fra
n avowal that she did not want hi
ne kindled a slow fire within which h
a. risen to a fierce blaze Of desire And s
re. 4 all unconscious Of the storm she /
ed / raised. OF what use now his cry: WI
II 8 fool he had been to refuse herr
the spring he was elected judge,
ed how worthless all his honOrs seen
Ter without her to share them
he About six months after Ina Patterr
received an offer Of marriage from Ju
~ Graham. together with a passionate
laration Of love and the hope that Il
-ou might have inclined her affections
see ward him.
1t was a novel position A tidal W
be of inclination swept over her; she
Is viewed the situation and rendered
5. 7 decision in his favor.