Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-11-18

| ! Know that | had gone white; his
words, his manner, his eyes. were elo.
quent of meaning that | could not
mistake. looked away in agitation
at the rolling woods.
He saw that | had understood and
gulped nervously.
II won't believe" he went on, placing
a hand on mine, that fate 50 led me to
you only to take you away forever.
Hear my confession. Ada. ! love you,
and I've come here to tell you so and
ask you to marry me-"
! "Gou-surprise me very much, Mr.
B Wilberforce," said. II never sus.
pected for one moment that you
/ thought OF me like that"
Mr.. Wilberforce interrupted me Gag
erly.
81 know you didn't" he said, and !
don't expect you to give an immediate
answer to proposal you were totally
unprepared for. ! am here just to
plead my case. and shall come up for
judgment later on"
NO. ! said. earnestly: II beg of you
TO say no more! | am very sorry, but
/ / can only say no"
Pardon, dear girl" he replied, gently.
! You must at least hear me out. Such
case as ! have, let me state IL. The
weak point know is my age. You will
say am old enough to be your father.
Well, that may be, and yet | may not
be too old to be your very good 'hus.
band. II you would try TO consider me
In that relationship could insure
your comfort"
Il have no doubt Of that, Mr.. vii.
berforce," ! said. believe me, | am
not understanding the value and the
honor OF your offer, but marriage with.
out love, however advantageous in
other respects"
! ION my side, my dear, the love would
be great, and sincere, and unchang.
ing" said he; and | could not but be
touched by the evident fervor with
which he spoke. And ! believe you
would learn to love me in return. Let
me-may l?-point out that the love OF
n man like myself, who has passed the
first erratic passion of his green
youth. has great advantages of stead.
fastness over the more. perhaps, ard.
ent infatuation Of a man in the TWEEN.
ties. Love often plays n cheating game
with young men. and woman are drag.
ged into the swindle; but with men
like me there can be no chance Of any
such fatal mistake"
Il do not doubt It," said, gently;
but there can be no love on my side.
| beg you TO take that answer as final"
He signed heavily and look OF de.
spair came into his eyes. For a minute
he watched me in silence, and then he
held out his hand.
VERY well, Ada" said he. "Will
you forgive me?"
| shook his hand and smiled. 1T is
your forgiveness | must ask. | am
afraid ] have caused you pain"
"Oh, no matter" He rose and
reached for his hat, which he had left
upon the grass. Il may.of course, rely
upon your silence? Thank you
thank you! God bIels you!" He
walked slowly to the bridge, lifted his
hat with a grave smile and took the
road toward the village.
For half an hour | sat beside the
river rejecting upon the events of the
morning. ! can honestly say that |
have never refused man with more
genuine compassion.
BY and by | picked up my neglected
book and walked slowly back to Drew.
steignton. On reaching the church.
yard at the top of the hill ] was sur.
prised to find Joan, my Oldest sister,
seated on low stone-covered grave,
thoughtfully plucking at the grass. |
have always taken peculiar delight in
making condolences, and the invitation
OF the present situation proved too
much for me. | waved my book at her,
opened the little gate of the church.
yard and Joined her on the tombstone
Joan was always my favorite sister.
AN adventure to report, my dear!"
| said.
Adventures in Drewsteignton!" ex.
. claimed Joan, gazing round at the
dreamy scene.
| "A plquant adventure, too"
"What-a MANI" Joan looked com.
ically horror.stricken.
| nodded, then burst out laughing
AMMAN with a proposal, you old dear!"
Ada! Who?"
MIR. Wherefore - Father WILDER.
force!"
Joan gave quite a shrek of amaze.
ment. He proposed to you this mt IN
ing?"
AN hour ago. at Fingle Bridge. Isn't
1t funny? But really, dear, 1t was a
beautiful proposal-he was SO touch.
ing A man like that proposes SO much
more sensibly than these young whip
/ per-snappers! Says what he's got to
say without any stumbling and haw.
having No Mysteries, no"
But you didn't accept him, darling?
Surely you couldn't accept him?" cried
Joan, agitatedly.