Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-04-23

SPcdAinB " your
Yes, Aunt Di."
"Weli, l will scold him presently for
not speaking to me first" But there was
no anger in Aunt Diana's eyes. 81 dare
say his grandfather encouraged him; be
is so set upon this. Well, Allie, and
what did our boy say to you?"
"Oh, Aunt Di don't ask me-" returned
Alison, desperately, ''he thinks too high
ly of me. am not as good as that;
don't deserve it ALL"
I'VE must allow for a little exaggera-
tion under the circumstances returned
Miss Darlington, smiling, and managing
to free her hands, and so get glimpse
Of the hidden happy face.
But, Aunt Di," almost whispering,
"are we not toos young? Greville will
have to be at Oxford another year, and
and"
Too young to marry just yet, Allie,
but think, under Grevilles peculiar cir
cumstances-his grandfather's great age
and precarious health, and his loneliness,
having no parents or brothers and sisters
belonging to him-that an engagement
might be allowed. 1t will make him hap
pier, and give him heart for bis work. In
general, Allie, / do not approve of long
engagements for young people, they are so
unsettling; but you know Greville's cir
cumstances as we'll as / do. He is his
grandfather's heir; in two years he might
well marry"
"Then you approve" raising her eyes
at last to her aunt's face.
- ~ Il &c
boy? He is even dearer to me than you
you must not be sorry to hear that. One
| day | will tell sad little story about
myself, how a girls self-will and temper
lost her the noblest lover a woman could
| have"
81 guess who 1t was; always knew"
| murmured Alison.
| "Greville is dear to me for his fathers
sake" returned Miss Darlington, almost
solemnly. mo more of this just now,
Allie. If you love me, dear child, you
little know how happy it makes me to
know my two darlings are to be united"
Really and truly happy, Aunt DIP
"Yes, surely, dearest; and this has
been the wish of Mr.. Moore's heart. All,
here comes Greville; he looks almost as
shy over it as you do, Allie"
But, shy or not, there was no mistak-
ing the expression Of proud happiness on
the young mans face A look passed be-
tween him and Miss Darlington, and then
she held out her hand.
"Well, Greville, have you come to be
scolded?" she asked, playfully.
"Yes, but you would not have the heart
to do it," was his reply. Cara" with a
pause on the old name, show could help
itT' And his glance was sufficiently elo-
quent.
"Well, Greville. l think you are wor-
thy even of her" And now something
like the glimmer of unshed tears softened
the keen gray eyes. "God bless you, my
boy you have fulfilled the great wish of
my heart"
There was a little more talk after this,
and then Greville said, ALLISON, think
we ought to go to my grandfather this
will make his very happy" And then
Alison obediently rose.
There was a touching scene with the
old man. when the messenger comes,
my boy will not be left desolate, he will
have Sunny to comfort him." he said.
And again his hands were placed on her
bright hair to invoke a blessing.
Rogers turn came next. He had been
out all day on fishing excursion, and
on his return Greville had waylaid him,
and told him the news. Alison, who was
sitting at her window, trying to compose
her futtered spirits, saw them coming up
the garden walk together, and few
minutes afterward there was hasty step
at her door, and Roger burst into her
room.
She knew how glad he was by the way
he took her in his arms and kissed her,
even before he had uttered word.
But it came at last.
| allie. / never was so pleased in my
life. OF course knew it was coming.
He is a fine fellow; you are giving me
| just the sort of brother I wanted, and
am greatly obliged to you"
"He told you then" little bashfully
"Yes, he had been waiting ever so long
by the river bank. 1t is my belief that
like King Midas, he had been whispering
his secret to the rushes. wish you
could have heard what he said about you.
He has thoroughly convinced me that he
| fully appreciates you"
81 am so glad you will be friends"
returned Alison, simply quite ignoring
the latter part of Rogers speech in her
modest opinion of herself, she never ceas-
| ed wondering at Greville's lover-like
| speeches it was dear and kind of him to
say such things, she thought but she did
| not deserve them.
She said as much to him one day, when
| their engagement was but week old, but
| he turned decidedly willful.
'I shall think Of you just as I like"
| he said, quietly, ''and know I shall
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