The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-30

| to quiet Eleanor's alarm when she frsi
noticed her mothers absence
There was one little incident to mark
the day. AS be loitered by Eleanor's
side he drew from her bouquet a spray
Of jasmine
"Ah. Lady Eleanor" said he, do you
remember how these milky stars trail
ed their splendor over the rocks in our
old homer"
She smiled-then sighed.
Il have forgotten nothing-no the
most trivial circumstance"
Then" said he. touching lightly a
diamond suspended from mis- watch
chain. you have not forgotten this,
nor the more precious words that ac-
companied it,"
The blue eyes fell beneath his pas
sionate glance soft rose blushed over
her cheek, and the sweet lips faltered as
she answered
Yes, I remember"
And you will not gaiasay the prom
ise?" pursued he.
rs that a fair question, Walter?"
asked she. archly, rising hastily to
cross the room to speak with her uncle,
Walters heart bounded
What more can l desire?" thought
he. Tomorrow / will make my formal
proposal both to the admiral and Lady
Annabel."
But when the next day came, and ca
ger and JOYOUS he sought Collinwood
House, he found a strange change in
Eleanor She was pale and nervous
with constraint and formality that
would have grieved him deeply had it
not been evidently forced and unnatur-
al. When he made known his errand he
was still more astonished and grieved.
Her cheek alternately flushed and pal
ed she half rose. as il to fly from his
presence, and then sinking back into
her chair, faltered:
20 Walter, don't, don'tl It is heart
rending for me to hear there is no
HOPPER
mo hopew repeated Walter. blankly.
Surely. after your words yesterday
you cannot accuse me of presumption. /"
She had buriedher face in her hands
No, no-not that! 0, what can say
in explanation?'
She sat for few moments in ner-
picked distress, and then calming her
self, continued more coherentiy:
at is best you should hear the truth.
Walter. Had your proposal come yes
terday, should have been tae happiest
girl in England; to-day it only adds to
my misery, for by my own voluntary
promise am betrothed to another"
Another exclaimed Walter, spring
ing to his feet. What can | under
stand by this. Lady Eleanor?'
do not try to understand IT." an
swered she sadly. only be sure to real
ize the actual truth Of the clrcum-
stance"
He was pacing to and fro in uncon-
trolled agitation.
Eleanor made no attempt to soothe
him, but sat like one stricken dumb
through some terrible calamity. Sud
denly Lady Annabel's sweet voice was
heard without the door. AS if in utter
terror Lady Eleanor dasied her hand
kerchief across her ewes to remove all
traces of tears, and whispered buried
ly:
1T is my mother! Walterl Walter. if
you love me. do not let her suspect how
unhappy / am--how much it grieves
me to give you upv'
ITO give me up? Ah,' retorted Wal
ter bitterly. 81 thought as much: IL is
Lady Annabel's doings-she never
liked me"
"You ar wrong, Walter-~7u are un-
just to herl All, If you coul. know-if
you could hear as did last night! Wal
ter, Walter, help me bear my fate brave
ly-perform my duty faithfullyw
He was looking dismally at her en-
treating, agonized face.
ITO BR coNTINrEn.l