Amador ledger., 1904-02-26

rs 1t because you haven't wanted
any one to ask your" he inquired diplo-
m6tically.
"No, indeedI''
"And no man has ever told you that
he loved your" he murmured in a
thoughtful tone. stranger
"Well-now-I didn't say just that.
you knoww
There was faint suspicion of
blush on Miss Farrar's smooth cheeks,
but her glance met Mowbray's with its
usual answering honesty.
Men have told me that they loved
me-several of them! But that's not
a proposal, you know, any more than
it's purchase when say that 1 adore
string Of pearls at Tiffany'sw
"A-a-hr'
The ejaculation was full of enlighten-
ment. Mowbray was beginning at last
to understand things that had always
puzzled him, as his next question
showed.
Would it be impertinent to ask how
you have received these declarations ~
'Why, just listened! You see, it's
embarrassing. 1t makes one feel so
terribly conscious"
What about the MANI" Mowbray
asked quietly. doesn't it occur to
you that perhaps he might need a little
encouragement-that perhaps he might
be trifle conscious too?''
For moment there was silence be-
tween them. The point of view was
utterly new to Miss Farrar, and she
was obviously impressed by it.
Il never thought Of that" she ad-
mitted slowly. II thought that sort
of thing was so in a mans line-his
metier." She laughed bit ruefully.
A squirrel darted swiftly across the
grass and, turning its head jauntily to
one side. fixed a bright, inquiring eye
upon them. Then, with saucy wave
of its tail, 1t scurried away.
II have it." said Mowbray, 'sI have
1t! Learn from the squirrel! Light
ness, air1ness, coquettishness! Don't
you see what meanT And he looked
at her teasingly
But she was not to be diverted. 81
am Serious" she assured him. There's
always reason for everything, and
there must be a reason for this. There's
Alice Nixon. She's not so awfully
pretty. I heard her say that she had
had nineteen proposalsI'' Miss Far
rar's voice was touched with awe.
Then skeptical thought seized her.
"Still-she's from the southp' she add
ed, and her tone implied that an allow
ance should be made for the fact.
Mowbray bit his lip.
"Then there's her sister-just an ordi-
nar1ly nice girl-follows with fifteen.
Marion Pierce owns up to dozen, and
Beth Garrett-dear, homely Beth-ac-
knowledges six! asked her because
l specially wanted to find out. Per
haps you can imagine how queer 1t
makes me feel"
What do you say upon such occa-
si0nsf" demanded Mowbray, watching
the squirrel that was again eying them
from distance.
There was palpable pause before
Miss Farrar replied. But at last her
straightforwardness prevailed.
Sometimes 1 shake my head and
look rather shocked. Then they think
that disapprove of such conversations
think Tn noble, you knowl At other
times 1 laugh and say, I have never
had oneP in q tone which implies Just
the reverse"
She finished this confession and look
ed at Mowbray out Of the corner Of her
eyes In way that drove the last YES
tge of fear out Of his mind. This naive
woman, the person whose dignity and
coldness he had stood aloof from in
absolute embarrassment for so longi
He could have laughed at the absurdity
Of It. Why had she never shown him
her real self before?
II think shall propose to you," he
remarked deliberately.
For a second she looked surprised,
and then her eyes danced.
Let it be in your best STYLE" she
pleaded. Remember, it's my first, end
l fear it may be my last toop'
He leaned toward her and looked
straight into her eyes.
IL Will De your HIST, uHuOuDleuly!
His voice was low and tense For a.
long moment he looked at her-looked
in way that first made her small ears
burn and then troubled her clear gaze,
which wavered and fell.
II love you, DEAR" he said simply,
"and 1 think you know the rest. Tell
me that you do"
Her cheeks were hot and her lips
trembled. A strong hand reached out
and took hers In masterful way, and
she suddenly knew that something
which she had never even dreamed
was true.
But asked your she moaned when
at last she recovered something of her
wonted serenity. IT positively asked
your
"You encouraged me-" he corrected,
land that's what they usually do, only
your method was brutally direct"
1t was when she began to flush again
that he added, 81 shall always have
something to tease you about, dearest"
And the squirrel, which had been
watching them in the lingering hope
that they might possibly have brought
him nuts, like sensible people, gave up
in disgust and scurried away.