The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-04-07

"Heart? Ah!-then you would coun-
Sci me to marry for-love!"
ut should be the basis of every mar
rage. madam" answered Parson
Joyce.
MAY I tell you something's" she
whispered. IL am in love! Oh!
l never, never thought 1t could he
anything like it is. suppose no w.'m-
| an ever was SO much, SO happil. in
love as I, and it has made mel do
| not know what 1t has made me, except
that I love all the world because of
it-man, the trees and flowers, every
thing"
1T is true love, madam, that works
these changes" said the parson very
quietly. "You should thank heaven for
!, it."
She flashed swift eyes, with CLINT
of tears in them, on him for second.
But I do!" she cried. s"All day
long. and whenever L wake in the
night. And yet" she paused as q
veil of sadness spread itself across her
face.
Eyes. MADAME" said the parson.
Il do not know if my love is re-
turned" she whispered.
Parson Joyce drew long breath.
The gentleman" he stopped.
Then he has not spoken to your he
added lamely.
"Of love? Not one word!" she an
sYered. Sometimes I Think think
he cares for me, and sometimes fear
he does not. May tell you about
hfm?-it will be such relief, because
/ have no one whom may tell-bur
you"
The parson bowed his head Human
feeling was rapidly thawing the priest
within the man; he felt now as II he
were the brother of this radiant young
creature.
eyes," he said; ...tell me-"
| Again she laughed merrily. =,
s'Now cannot tell you," she said.
IA moment ago thought I could, and
now-Well, he is good, and he is most
lovable. and he is-and love hint
He must be worthy indeed, madam.
who is worthy Of your love-" answered
the parson, and he sighed.
"Ah, but am 1 worthy of his % she
said with sudden deep feeling.
Il do not know him." answered Par
son Joyce.
mo" she said. S"I' do not think you
do. But-tell me, what must I do?
Indeed, indeed, there is no other man
in all the world that will marry. l
will die a maid If I cannot marry the
man love!'
'Will he not speak?" ~ .
He has not spoken" ~
Il have heard" said Parson Joyce,
| that there are ways by which a man
In these cases may be made to speak. !"
The girl shrugged her shoulderssand
made little grimace. .9
Il wish knew them" she said.
THE gentleman is, perhaps, poor?'
I'm the eyes of the world, yes.','
And possibly, proud?" @
! With the pride of true man,"
IT might, seem pretentious on his
part to seek your. hand. MADAME"
believe, upon my soul, it is some
such nonsense as that which fills his
head!" she exclaimed, tapping her toe
against the fender. #@
But, madam" Parson Joyce in his
agitation rose and stood before her
with clasped hands. Consider the
feelings of poor gentleman, who,
may be, loves and adores you with all
his heart. but who judges it presump-
tuous-'
"Presumptuous? OH" she said. II
have no patience with such Stiffness
The mere fact that love him makes
him far above me-"
There was silence for. a while; the
rarson was wondering who the man
might be who had so transformed this
once imperious and coquettish young
beauty. He ran them over in his
mind, and could fix on none. And,
without knowing it, he sighed.
1T seems to me, madam" said Par
son Joyce, chat there is but one way
out Of the difficulty" He faced her fair
and square, in the determined way in
which he always stood in his pulpit.
and she looked up at him. and immedi-
ately looked elsewhere. IF the gentle
man cannot be brought to declare his
love. and his love is SO necessary to
your happiness"
eyes," she murmured. "It is-it has
come to be my life.'
"And If you feel assured that he is
keeping silent because he fears to be
thought presumptuous-'
eyes, yes-I know it is so.".
Then" said Parson Joyce, ''you
must tell him of your love for him"
He said the words solemnly and re-
signedly, knowing that she would do
what he advised; knowing full we'll.
too, that no man would resist her, and
that ere long she would be this UNI
known, highly favored mans wife, and
all would be changed. And after he
had spoken he began to pray some-
where far inside himself. Her voice
came to him as he stood over her-a
soft. very feminine voice..
'You think that l should tell him 90
1T Is the only way l can think of,
madam" he answered.
And then came the great surprise Of
Parson Joyce's life. For the girl slid
down on her knees before him and
L - t.