Middletown transcript., 1906-02-10

H. n
black, and her heavy masses Of
darksbrown hair, and large in.
\ quiring eyes.
You sent for me, Mr.. Jarnani
she began in a low voice She
I'tstood at the table, with her finger
tips resting on the polished sur
face. They were beautiful hands.
Her voice was restful, and her
whole presence curiouslyt tsug-
gestive of character.
i Er-I did, Miss Parke~. But
won't you sit down? There was
an empressement about her en-
ployer that increased the girls
assonishment She once glanced
across at Robson and seemed re.
assured.
| Miss Parker, | want you not
TO regard me for the moment as
an employer; but as a-as . man.
mean, want to speak with you
on terms of social equality. He
cleared his throat. understand,
be went on, that you have a
mother to support, and brothers
4 sA
to educate, besides your own
maintenance. Now, I'm a rich
man, and am going to make a
proposition to you which | will
give you some months to turn
over in your mind and talk to
your mother about
Miss Parker, people take me
for happy and successful man.
Successful | am; but happy-no,
in spite of my money and horses
and carriages. TO you / m going
to make confession. I'm lonely,
and [ propose to marry-marry
you! Please don't reply for a
moment. He spoke faster and
faster.
Think what can give you. AS
my wife, you will be mistress of
town and country houses. You
can have. horses and carriages,
t jewels and dresses, and Things
that women love. And travel
think what that means to girl
who has never seen the Old
| World. You've read, haven't
you? What does Rome convey
| to You? And Athens and Venice
and Florence and London and
Paris and Naples? I'm in dead
earnest, Miss Parker. I'm sure
you'd do me credit. I've OBJ
served you carefully all these
months. I've made inquiries
about your condition. And I
should look after your mother
and the boys. And to show you
how much in earnest am, I've
arranged a valentine for you.
The mans hand trembled per-
ceptibly, as he dragged first !cer-
tain crumpled papers from the
case-box, and then Jewellers
| case. Here are twenty five
| thousand dollars worth Of bonds
| and diamond ring, and Mr..
Robson here for a witness to this
proposal.
He stood towering over the
table, pitiful in earnestness, with
the bonds in his hand, the ring
case open near him, and the girl
utterly aghast and speechless.
Yes, he had gagged her accurately
She was lovely girl; but she
also was full of sound sense.
Mr.. Jarman, she said present.
ly, of course you astound me.
Need I say | never have even so
much as dreamed of this, though
it is a proposal that well might
turn any girls head. Indeed, I
envy, almost, the girl you choose.
I have chosen you, Miss Park,
er. He spoke with dignity.
Tears welled into ber eyes. II
don't know why you should offer,
all this to Il poor girl like me, she.
murmured; but anyway -it~csn /
be. sy -
Mr.. -Jarman dropped the-pa-
pers, and began to walk the
room,. with the girls troubled
eyes following him. | knew you
would say something like that!
he biurted out-impetuousiy You
don't care for me, and all that.
But said to think it over. Don't
you see? A little irritahility had
crept into his tone.
But, Mr.. Jarman, I'm engaged
to be married, the girl pleaded.
1t seemed to be forced from her.
She appeared distressed. How
little he knew Of her big longing
to come and take his hand and
thank him for his gentle kind |
ness, and tell him how her wo-
mans heart understood his crav-
ing for sweetness and light and