New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-08-02


smiling as he spoke, he glanced backward TO
where the edge OF q sober gray skirt showed
on the green grass beneath the dOgwood tree,
now a sheet Of living green, where two weeks
before had been q glory OF drltted bloom
have learned to look on II as blessing IN
some instances.
So do l. I've often told Aunt Ella so -
And Yet, though the dueTna may be as
deaf as q post, she has eyes, and when man
Is about TO make love to his sweetheart, there
IS only one pair Of eyes that ne cares to be III
range Of.
e. His voice had dropped very low, and there
was q deep tenderness IN It that 50 thrilled
Roberta that her lips quivered, and she quickly
put up one small trembling hand TO still them
4 moment only then she looked him straight
IN the eyes. 49,.
You have been most kind, Mr.. Willard,
she said with dignity, II procuring Nj an
Btlskirks written permission Tor me TO make
my little sketch without risking my neck over
IT was a dear delight he interrupted,
reaching Tor her hand.
She moved her stool little farther away,
and then deliberately sat on her hands
looking at him with . malicious little gTITrlace-
Then with sudden return OF her sell posses
sion, she folded them again II her lap and pro
Ceeded stiffiv, 4 have been unconventional
but # YOU think / have given YOU night TO be
presu1nptuous, Mr.. Willard, I beg TO assure
YOU that YOU are greatly mistaken
This is the first time have ever heard II
called presumptuous for man 70 lay ms near
Al . womans feet. Even the lowest may 90
that for the highest. ! humbly ask you TO De
nv WIFE He had risen TO his feet and stood
before her with bowed head, his hat II MS
hand. That Is what I brought you apart to
say 70 YOU" he continued with simple dignity
" These daily meetings II the deA,-EouT
dell,-sweet as they have been, seemed Ike
stolen ones, only because you steadlastiy re-
fused TO allow me- TO seek YOU more iorIIStl
manner at your hotel. l do not even kno"
which one II IS for hope / am too much OF a
gentleman TO spy on You. 1t IS yours 10
answer now. VIII you not allow me the ho1loI
Of 3 closer acquaintance on more CONVEX
tiona1 conditions, IN view OF the tact that /
have asked YOU 10 be my wife. l then can
wait more patiently, Il YOU wish . delay Dc
fore answering me definitely
CHE rose and stood beside HIM for an IN
- starlt. the top OF her bare curly head coming
inst short Of his shoulder, and then with an
inscrutable expression she walked on down
10 the edge OF the mirror Ike pool, with h1Tn
keeping close at her side. She sighed as she
gave him one appealing look -.
You are a gentleman she sad softly
with scarlet lips aGuIveT. and ! VIII answer
YOU honestly and without trltilng.
Yes" His breath was coming quick and
short. and he stood, still uncovered, before her.
- Il was q mere wh11n, caprice. that mace
me surround our acquaintance with any my
terry" she began, = silly desire to tantallze
Aunt Ella. Ny name IS not Roberts exactly;
I am Roberta Hillyer." She paused and ne
made as + to speak quickly but she went
steadily on. 1t would be OF no use IN tins
world for YOU TO seek me out. with what you
say your motive would be
Why" he asked abruptly, with swift
frown darkening his handsome face
-Because-because," she folded her small
hands tight together and averted her eyes,
! am very ambitious about the man am
=. marry by and bv-'
Would YOU marry the millionaire that
owns your Old home," His voice was hoarse-
Now that Is impertinent 81 you1 she de
clared. as she faced about. No, l should
like his money immensely, for ! never Yet
have had half enough to spend, but a man old
enough 10 be nv grandfather, and with form
like "a mermaid" She put down her
head and giggled-
You said once YOU preferred the looks OF
MS secretary" ne reminded her.
So ! do" she replied quickly; " but be
cause lie IS the rich mans secretary, here she
looked him soberly IN the eyes again,
would never marry him.
Not even If YOU loved him.
The scarlet lips frightened III Z narrow lne,
and she shook her head enphatically-
But whv!" he persisted, and when ne
took her hand and held IL she did not resist.