The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
Celia $ Engagement.
By F. LOUISE LIDDELL.

yes" murmured the girl. family.
An appreciation of the ungracious-
ness of his task was growing on the
practical woocr. But he went on, man
fully: "Of course. l realize that am
hardly suitable companion for ono
SO young and charming as yourself:
but. If you will consent to cast in your
lot with mine, l promise to make 1t
my chicfest endeavor to prove worthy
it would be unfair for me to make
pretense of any sentimental feel
ing Che was going to say folly. but
thought better. of it,, you Will ever
find me considerable and"
please stopl'' cried Celia. finding
her voice at last. Il appreciate the
honor" Cslight accent on that word).
but IL am already engaged"
Engaged" gasped the astonished
sutton. Why. your aunt" Then he
stopped: he had been on the point of
betraying himself.
They had reached the house by this
time and he held the door open for
her to pass into the hall.
He followed in state of vague dis
satisfaction, and went directly to his
own apartments
Then the truth flashed upon him.
He was in love! How stupid he had
been not to recognize the signs of the
malady before! For now he acknowl-
edged to himself that if Celia were
only his that wretched money might
go to the Hottentots for all he cared.
Then the quixotc idea occurred to
the professor that through his inter-
cession Mrs. Harding M ht become
reconciled to her niece's engagement.
To give expression to his devotion to
the loved one by seeking to promote
her happiness (even at the expense Of
his own would. lie imagined. afford
some relief to his troubled feelings.
He determined, therefore. to lose no
time in offering his services as Incdi-
ator.
The coveted opportunity came at
last One evening. as he was going
out to his garden retreat, lie found
Celia engaged in fastening up wood
blne which had been torn dorm by
heavy wind storm of the previous
evening"
please sit down. he said, cntreat-
ingly. pointing to the rustic seat in
the vince clad arbor.
She hcsitated for an instant. then
complied with his request.
II have been thinking over the mat
ter we were speaking of the other
evening" he said, by way OF introduce
ton.
Celia blushed and plead alternately
ana looked very fnuch as tnOuBn she
would like to escape.
"And it occurred to me-" continued
the professor. hastily, that as your
aunt and | have always been on very
friendly terms, that it might bc-that
is. that she might be-or rather. that
might induce her to look favorably
upon your engagement If the matter
were presented properly"
The girl raised q frightened. star
1af1 fnc IN har -y,a hon ocfn
ooh, no!" she cried. Don't think
of such q thing. 1t wouldn't do bit
Of good"
pardon me-" returned he. "but I
am quite positive that your aunt will
not prove as obdurate as you sem to
fear. and l am fully determined to
exert my Influence to promote your
happiness"
Celia regarded him anxiorsly. eff
you wish to please me. you will not
speak to my aunt" she SAID, earnestly.
"My dear child. must disregard
your wishes in this case" said the
professor. II will not allow selfish
considerations to prevent the performs
ance-pf a duty. l think { had best
confer with your aunt at oace, and
have the affair happily settled" And
the professor arose as though to carry
out his intentions.
"You will make me perfectly miser-
able" cried Celia. looking ready to cry.
"Why, fail to comprehend" said the