Middletown transcript., 1907-09-21

&Mt~@Ng @A@ - -
q difficulty in answering.
You knew how anxious was
about it-at least I think you
knew.
Yes. whispered Marion.
/ could think of nothing else.
It meant so much. / think ]
nearly got brain fever. But ]
got something else instead.
Yes, whispered Marion again,
even lower than before.
As luck would have it, the
letter containing the glorious
news only came last night. ]
have not even told my mother
yet. I came to you first.
But won't your mother be
offended ? You will not tell her
that you told me first ? LII con-
gratulate yon with a1 my heart.
IL hope You win be very happy;
but I think, you ought to have
told your mother first. If she
knew, it might prejudice her
against Miss Johnstone.
Miss Johnstouei What on earth
has she got to do with it ?
Douglas had stopped, and was
staring at Marion. The girl
raised her startled eyes to his
face.
Why-because she-because
you-haye you not just been
telling me of your engagement to
her
Marion I The mans voice was
thunderstruck. Why, Marion.
| thought You knew that all these
years I have been waiting for
goU! / had no money. ] dared
not ask you to bind yourself to
me in an indefinite engagement.
And lately-the last few months
II have see your friendship for
me cooling-and was glad that I
had not spoken. I never thought
myself worthy, and I was so
afraid that if ] spoke of love I
might lose the friendship. But
when ! got this appointment I
thought I might venture to ask
my dear little chum if she would
try to give me back the friend
ship Of the olden days, and, with
it, give me something more.
His voice was low and tender,
and thrilling with a reserved
mans subdued passion.
Marion had turned away her
head and had quietly covered
her eyes with her hand. Beneath
the hand Douglas saw the quiv-
ering of her lips. The rush of
unutterable joy was too much
for her. She could not speak.
He did not know this he thought
she was only nervous and un-
certain.
/ will try to make you happy,
he said tenderly. I know that
sometimes it is difficult 10 give
love where hitherto only friend
ship has been given. But I will
not worry you, my darling. /
will be patient. / had no idea
that you did not guess the truth.
Fancy. you for one moment
imagining that it was someone
else. That shows how little you
cared for me yourself. But /,
think the day will come when you
will be able to tell me that you
love me, too.
His voice was a little sad. And
in an instant Marion had turned
to him. Her face was sweetness
itself. Her eyes were shining
like gems through the glistening
tears.
Douglas, I'm so glad it's not
Miss Johnstone, she. said, as she |
put out her hands. l never
dreamed that you cared for me.
| have been breaking my heart |
about it, though I tried to be
brave.
Breaking goUr heGrtt
He spoke the words in an ave.
struck whisper. He drew her
gently to him as he spoke them
md pressed her tired face against
his breast.
! thought your piece of news
vas your engagement to Hilda
[ohnstone, and that you should
lave chosen me as your conf
lante seemed the most cruel
hing that could have happened.
I have never given her a
hought. And do you mean you
you'd have had nae even if I had
lot had my real little piece Of
lews to bring you ?
You don't deserve to have that
uestion answered. But I am
Iot going TO be proud with you.
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