Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-02-19

cal1 IN proper 1dSulOu. IL WILL OC ehio
happiest Christmas Denecroft has seen
for many a year"
Stella sighed blissfully. 'sYes," she
said, 81 am very happy girl"
The baronet grunted an assent in
preoccupied man-fashion, and opened
another letter. Stella wrfggled lit
tie nearer, seating herself on the arm
of his chair.
''Well, what is it." asked her broth
er, leaning back with an air of resig-
nation. Let me know the worst, and
get 1t over"
"Oh, it's nothing alarming" CUR
gled Stella-"at least hope not. Are
you in a very good humor this morn
ing, Arthur"
Il was," he answered gravely, 'but
the most patient man has his limits.
you know"
Stella-the dignided little Stella
fairly giggled-there is no other name
for the sound of suppressed delight
and merriment which rippled from her
lps-and Immediately went of ON
another tangent.
Don't you think it very nice thai
Richard and Mr.. Kane seemed to like
each other so much last night?"
''Why, yes-since we are all neigh
bors I should say it was most fortu-
nate Perhaps we ought to feel de-
well-eh?" and he pinched the girls
cheek mischievously, while quizzicai
smile twisted the corner of his mouth.
do you really like him?" she muir
INJURED, hiding her face on her brothers
shoulder.
"Who- -Rick?" SIR Arthur perrerse-
ly inquired.
NO, you old stupid-Mr. Kane!"
she replied. giving him an admonitory
shake.
Certainly. He impresses nae as
fairs; a man of head and of heart In
point Of birth and breeding, I suppose.
we must concede something, but in
these democratic days the new men
are coming to the front and must be
reckoned with politically and social
ly."
During this didactic speech, delivered
in Sir Arthur's most deliberate man
ner, Stella slid of the chair-aTm and
edged towards the door.
II am so glad you feel that way"
she said as she turned the handle; and
then, nodding saucily at her brother.
''he Is coming to see you this morn
ing.~ and with whisk of drapery she
was gone.
Sir Arthur preserved his gravity for
a moment, and then, with his favorite
chuckle, said half-aloud-
Another addition to the family,
suppose!''
It is not always an easy thing ITO ask
father for his only daughter In mar
riage; but when the guardian of the
girl happens to be her brother, and
rather younger than the suitor himself,
the task of the latter is not whit less
embarrassing. 81
But Kane found the baronet disposed
to meet him half way-perhaps be-
cause Of his general liking for the
man. So when, after the usual salu-
tations and inquiries, he came to the
point simply and directly with
CAS- the head of your family; Sir Ar
i
to your sisters engagement to me" the
baronet smiled and said:
Eyes, received hint to that effect
this morning, coupled with a command
that l was not to go out. Well, Mr..
Kane, what has the culprit to say for
himself? You know it's a pretty Sc
rious matter to rob brother of his
only sister, particularly when that
brother is bache1or!"
"The only extenuation can plead,
Sir Arthur, is that the lady will be
making another poor bachelor the hap
piest man on earth"
"Oh, if you put it Ia that way"
laughed the baronet, II can have moth
ing to say, except that I do not know
anyone to whom I would sooner trust
Stella's happiness" And SO saying he
offered his hand. =.
"The lawyers can attend to the set
Elements, 1 suppose" he continued.
"and from what have seen and heard
there is little danger of your wife ever
coming to want"
They both laughed at the Jest, and at
this Opportune moment Richard
strolled in.
Here, Rick" exclaimed Sir Arthur,
'you are just in time to be introduced
to your future brother-in-law. Shake
hands and congratulate each other''
AS Rick came forward his manner
was most cordial. The mornings rec
elections of the night before had ap-
parently left no unpleasant taste, and
he took Kane in all seriousness and
sincerity for what he had appeared to
be.
''See what comes Of my leaving
home," he said ruefully. "I find the
family running at loose ends when I
return and my little sister about to be
carried off into captivity. But you
have my sincere congratulations and
good wishes, Mr.. Kane. I wish our ac-
Quaintance had begun a little earlier