The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-31


in secret conference. Graydon Ban
semer lounged there in blissful con-
| temptation of a roseate fate, all the
| more enjoyable because his very ease
| was the counterpoise of doubt and IN
certainty. No word of love had passed
between the mistress of the web and
her loyal victim. But eyes and blood
had translated the mysterious, voice
less language Of the heart into the Sim
plest of sentences. They loved and
they knew it
After leaving Rigby at the club Gray
don drove to the north side, thrilled to
the marrow with the prophecies Of the
night. His heart was In that little room
off the library-and had been there for
months. 1t was the abode of his
thoughts. The stars out above the cold,
glittering lake danced merrily for him
as he whiried up the Drive. The white
carpet Of February crinkled and creak-
ed with the chill of the air, but his
heart was hot and safe and sure. He
knew that she knew what he was COM
ing for that night-the first kiss!
James face was warm; her eyes had
the tender glow Of joy expectant; her
voice was soft with the promise Of
coming surrender. Their hands met
and clasped as she stood to welcome
him in the red, seductive dimness of
the little throneroom. His tall frame
quivered; his lean, powerful, young
face betrayed the hunger of his heart;
his voice turned husky. 1t was not as
he had planned. Her beauty-her mere
presence-swept him past the prelimi-
nary fears and doubts. His handclasp
frightened, and his face drew resistless-
ly to hers. Then their hands went sud-
denly cold.
you know, don't you, Jane, darling7"
he murmured.
Yes" she answered after a moment
softly, securely. He crushed her in his
strong arms. All the world seemed to
have closed In about her. Her eyes,
suffused with happiness, looked sweet
ly into his until she closed them with
the coming of the first kiss. II love
you-oh, love your she whispered.
II worship you, Janer he responded.
II have always worshiped your
1t was all so natural, 80 normal The
love that had been silent from the first
had spoken, that was all-had put into
words its untold story.
Jane, I am the proudest being in
the world!' he said, neither knew how
hong afterward, for neither thought of
time. They were sitting on the couch
In the corner, their turbulent hearts at
rest. ITO think, after all, that such a
beautiful being as you can be mine
forever! It's-why, it's inconceivab lep'
You were sure of me all the time,
Graydon," she demonstrated. IT tried
to hide it, but / couldn't You must
have thought me a perfect fool all
these months
"You are very much mistaken, If you
please. You did hide it SO successfully
at times that 1 was sick with uncer-
tainty."
well, it's all over now" she smiled.
And he sighed with great relief.
"All over but the-the wedding" he
said.
"Oh, that's long way of. Let's not
worry over that, Graydon."
"A long way Off? Nonsense! I won't
wait"
Wont"
II should have said can't. Let's see.
This is February. March, dearestT'
"Graydon, you are so much younger
than l thought. A girl simply cannot
be hurried through a-an engagement.
Next winter
Next what? That's nearly a year,
Jane. It's absurd! I'm ready"
Il know. It's mighty noble Of you
too. But just can't. dearest. No one
ever does"
"Don't-don't you think I'm prepared
to take care of your" he said, straight
ening up bit.
She looked at his strong figure and
into his earnest eyes and laughed so
adorably that his resentment was only
passing
Il can't give you a home like this"
he explained. But you know I'll give
you the best have all my life"
You can't help succeeding, Gray
don." she said earnestly. Every one
says that Of you. I'm not afraid I'm
not thinking Of that 1t isn't the house
/ care for. It's the home. You must
let me choose the day"
Il suppose it's customary" he said
at last June is the month for brides,
let me remind you"
Before you came this evening had
decided on January next, but now 1
am willing to-
'Oh, you decided before came, eh?"
laughingly.
Certainly" she said 1nblushingly.
"Just as you had decided on the early
spring, But listen, dear. 1 am willing
to say September of this year"
'One, two, three-seven months. |
They seem like years, Jane. You won't
say Juner'
please, please let me have some of
the perquisites," she pleaded 'It
hasn't seemed at all like a proposal |
I've really been cheated of that, you
must remember. dear. Let me say at
least as they all do. that III give you |
an answer In. three days"
Granted! III admit It wasn't the |
sort Of proposal one reads about in
|
But it was precisely as they are In |
real Life, I'm sure No one has a stere |
otped proposal any more. The men |
always take It for granted and begin |
things before girl can say |
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