St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-06-08

through them.
AS before, he OWNED the meaning of
1t all-some idle word that had aroused
all her dormant sensitiveness, and she
was writing under it. She doubtless
imagined that people were saying that
that old maid, Marion Foster, was try
ing to catch Mr.. Mallory, and her man
ner was her fierce, wordless refutation
of it. The lines of care were deepen
ing in her face day by day, and his
heart ached for her.
81 want to speak to you, Miss Eos
ter" he said in a determined way as
she was about to pass him in the hall
one day with her usual brief greeting.
Certainly she replied somewhat
uncomfortable, and they sat down in
the quiet drawing room together.
Something is bothering you," he be-
gan, fixing his glance searchingly upon
her. "Come now, be frank. If there is
any way in which I can be of service
to you tell me-"
''It's nothing" she protested hastily,
cor, at least, nothing much" Then
with an attempt at lightness she add
ed, ''Women who have neither fathers
nor brothers to look out for them often
have to worry, you know"
Another sort of woman might have
added Husbands" but to Miss Foster.
whose consciousness upon the subjects
of love and matrimony was as shrink
ing as that of young girl, such re-
mark would have been impossible.
Even in that moment Mallory chuckled
to himself, yet would have liked to
take her in his arms and put himself
between her and the world forever.
Marry me-" he said softly. "Give
me the right to take care of you. I
shall count it great happiness"
Her face went scarlet.
"Such a subject seems scarcely the
proper one for jest" she retorted with
dignity. eff you will excuse me,
have duties to attend to-" and she rose
to leave him.
zone moment
His voice rang a trife sharp and
clear with command. The Mallory
who achieved what he wanted in life
was speaking. Miss Foster seemed to
feel this, and she sat down again as
obediently as child, though he could
see that her hands were Quivering
nervously.
''You have misunderstood me-" he
said In a calm, decided voice which
somehow thrilled her with the certain
ty that he would bend her to his will.
81 have no intention of INDUCING In
the sentimental talk of man Of TWEEN.
ty-fve," he went on, taking one of her
slim hands in his and looking at her
bit quizzically. Love, Of course, is
matter Of years. A man and woman Of
fifty would only be ridiculous if they
essayed to speak that language"
''But I'm only thirty nineY' she ex-
claimed, surprised into protest.
Mallory could have roared with laugh
ter at the innocent "only." AS he had
supposed, then it was not that she real
~ thought herself outside the pale; it
was only as one sensitively afraid
that she ought to think SO. He could
not entirely Danish the teasing smile
from his eyes, and she felt vaguely
that she had walked into the trap he
had set for her.
'But of course it's absurd for you to
say such things to woman of my age
and for me to listen" she continued
courageously, though Mallory noticed
that she no longer made as if to leave
him.
ssMy dear Miss Foster" he said per-
suasively, 1--WE won't talk of that
phase Of the matter at all. I should
not be saying this to you if had not
a very deep regard for you, and you,
I fancy, would not be listening"
There was a little incoherent MUIR
muir which he took for assent. Then
he continued with an anxious air.
"But there is an ethical side to the
matter that persons of our age should
consider. You would be doing a beau
tifuIact if you would take my children
and me in hand, and I could make
things so much easier for you and
your mother"
''That will bring her." he exulted to
himself
grownY'
They're over twenty he admitted
boldly, "but that is the very age at
which young people most need the con-
trolling influence of home"
He could see that she was awaken
ing, and he wisely refrained from fur
Their persuasion. murmuring only, eve
need you. DEAR"
On the STEPS Of her new home as the
carriage dashed up the drive she no
ticed Lat small group awaited them.
A moment later she was clasped in
bear hug by a bright faced girl who
said. "My dear little new mother" SO
warmly that she loved her on the spot
as we'll as the manly youth who laugh
ingly took her next, pleading Me too"
and this is my husband, Ralph"
the girl explained as another young
man stepped forward. "And this, ia
net, Harry's wife"
Then a nurse moved forward into
the circle, holding a bulky armful.
"And this, mother continued the
girl proudly, sis your little grand
daughter"