The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-04-22
cousin

easy conversational rome. Cousin
Molly has sent me. Mr.. Harding" she
said "to ask you If you will please
marry herr"
"What?" cried Harding.
Augusta nodded gravely. 1t was
quite right for Mr.. Harding 10 be sur
prised. She had no doubt PrisCilla's
face went red and white and red
again under just such circumstances.
She followed her chosen precedent
conscientiously. cousin Molly is
such dear girl" she asserted earn
estly. "She's so pretty and she's so
nice. Why, you don't know, when her
picture came back last week. she only
cried the least little bit. and when
cried, too, she laughed and gave me
some chocolates-five of them!-and
I'm not allowed to have any, you
know. and / do love them So, and
and" she concluded, rather iamely
"she wants to marry you very much"
John Harding had walked to the
window and back again rs she spoke.
Now he came to Augusta ani regard
ed her anxiously. you're not quite
well today, are you. de,r?" he asked
gently. How long is it since You
were sick? You're little feverish,
think"
He took Augusta's hand and felt for
the pulse in her tain wrist. Alter Q
moments earnest scrutiny she swept
his hand and his questions abruptly
away.
"Well," she cried. why Ion t you
say it? Now is the Tina. Say it,"
"Say what?" said Harding, in trou-
bled bawilderment.
WHAT" She waved her book at
him furiousay "Why. what YOU SHOULD
say!" she cried, excite lily. Why
don't you speak for yourself. Angus
tai? What else should you say?'
The door was tapped upon and
opened simultaneously. well. good
people," said fresh young voice. II
have come for my runaway. It's
time for her medicine. Have"
The young girl paused. startled at the
sight of Harding's face. why, what
Is the uldtLcT SIbS uSAEu.
Augusta broke in upol Har4ing's
hesitation. "Oh Corsin Molly. he IS
so stupid" she cried. sharply. "I
have done it quite right. Bessie
said if wanted to stay here should
marry Mr.. Harding. and have asked
him just the way John Alden did. ex-
actly. l told him you wanted to mar
ry nim-I thought I'd rather say you
than Bessie-and that you had sent
me to ask him. and
Augusta" cried Cousin Molly. Her
voice pleaded. commanded. Her pref
~ face flushed from chin to brow.
Augusta rushed on unanimously.
"And he didn't say it at ALL" she
cried Indignantly. "Why don't you
speak for yourself. Augusta? Not
once. Wait, "I,n show it to you"
She threw herself on the floor with
the book and turned the pages rap
idly. Harding made an embarrassed
step toward the girl 81 don't think
she is quite we'll" he said, lameiy.
Ell beg of YOU"
He stopped abruptly, at the sight
Of the misery in the girls face. the
unshed tears in her eyes. A sudden
binding shock of revelation seemed
to show him, in moments space,
| new heaven and a new earth.
molly" he cried. II never hoped
hardly dared pray am so old,
so unworthy. Molly" He lifted her
hands reyerently in his.
LET me CO." she sobbed. ooh, let
me got"
She made a trembling step toward
the door, but Augusta, triumphant.
barred the way.
Look" she exulted. Here 1t is
just as said: Why don't you speak
for yourself. john That was what
Priscilla said why don't you speak
for yourself, Augusta?' That was
what he should have said" She star
ed reproachfully at Harding.
"Wait a moment" he said
He took Molly's hand in his and
led her to the big chair beside the
window Twill you wait moment
just one?" he whispered. 'It means
so much to me. MOLLY, I beg Of
you"
The girl nodded, bending her flush
ed. agitated face against the cool
pane of the window above the lily
blooms
Harding went swiftly back to Au-
gusta. She noticed, without compre
bending, the new light in his trans
figured face. He took the book from
her hand and read the title with moro
than a twitching of his lips. miss
Augusta" he said gravely, Il apollo
gize for my stupidity. 1t is so long
since received a proposal that I
had almost forgotten the approved
method. Nc edless to say, you have
made me very happy. I can honestly
assure you of that. But before give
my final decision let me make pro-
position. Would you rather go home
on Thursday and in, say. ten years