The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-24

With faitering voice she greeted hin that night in the moonlit veranda.
 q am sorry to say that I didn't sacs ceed," she murIuured "A6innie wouldn't hear of 1t. I did all couid-but they are so sslf-wiIlsd-thssa young people"
 There was . long silence.
 ''She objects, then. after an:" said Sna major. And of course, Minnie's not be- ing willing would mako all the difer- ence?" he added with heHitaticn.
 "oh. all the differeuoe in the world" was her nasty reply. T would never think oe forcing thing Ike that ou Minnie against her will" "Os course not" he aasented. Theu after . little he suggested: Yet ne. tslk 1t over with Minnie" s.s. She inclined her head with q little sigh, and he went into the house. fotiqwing the sound of the piano, which was faint iy breathing forth the ''TrsumeTie" Mrs. Lorrimer sat still, her hands ctaspad tight together in her lap.
 Don't move, Minnie-~go on splaying, my dear" said the major softly. ''rhat was always a favoPite of mine. And you didn't--didn't like the plan suggested to your mother7''
 q think it was abominahle" retorted Minnie. whirling around on her plano stool.
 Mrs. Lorrimer heard this much through the open window. and then she arose and dragged her chair farther away. The mere sound of their voices came to her now-the sharp sound of Minniss voice. the low gentle sound of the majors; Mn nies vigorous reply-what could she De saying? She was almost sorry she had moved the chair quite so far away-a sharp exclamation from the taajor-rGpld | Ca ~ %pi6 af--f | a cry of joy from MinDfe, with sstonish- 1 ing words, distinctly audible: 'Oh. you dear-old-major! Would you mind 1t very much if I hugged your a The major found that Mrs. Lerrimer had moved her chair into the shadow of the vines, so that it was impossible to see her face-but what could he have judged | from her face, if he had seen it, save I that she was filled with joy?
 50 1t is all settled?' she asked in the merriest and fFiendlIest Of tones. well. one thing is settled" he said grimiy. ''Minnls wouldn't marry me un- der any eonsIdAra4ion."
 ''whAti' erfad the disnayed Mrs, Tor Timer. ''wlsy, didn't hear hsr--say something about-ab0uk hnggins?'
 Yes" was the mlum reply. "That was all right--I had just told her that-that ] didn't want to marry her-~that I had never even thought os marrying her thas you had made very natural uais. take--''
 T made 8 mistaken cried Mrs. Tor. Fimsr, starting up indignantly. q hope understand the English language. Ma for Gray"
 And I thought was speaking Eng fish" said the najor despOndsntiy. T must have been great donkey--mueh worse than usual" he went on with bit- ter self-accusatien. ''The thing really meant to say was something so different and now see from the way you have nave looked on the whole matter that there Is no chance for me-and so I think I'll 20 ioiter around Europe a year or two"
 Beg pardoni' said an innocent young voice-it was 1linnie's young voice. and she came forth bearing burden in her arms: ''but I have just been straighten- ing up mamma's desk, and here's drawer full of things don't know what to do with. Just think of it. major withered rosebuds - pink rosebuds - whole drawful of them! Now what do you suppose
 Minnie had lied. having dropped the drawer upon Mrs. Lorrimer's knee. TAat