The new era., 1909-07-01

and II talked too, as well as l
could. l had to, or appear at a dis
| advantage, but assure you it was the
most terrible strain of my life. To
be mirthful at Mrs. Langston's sallies
was not so hard; it was smiling at
Parsons stupid jokes that made my
| face ache
Well sir, the widow kept the con-
versational ball brilliantly rolling for an
hour and half Then as it ap-
preached / o'clock she grew suddenly
quiet. There was nothing rude about
it, but it was the clearest tip to take
his leave that a man ever received;
but would you believe it, Hall, that
blockhead of a Parsons never took the
hint. even though it was REINFORCED
by glance | gave my watch. He re-
mained full 10 minutes longer and
when, to my great relief, he fin;Sly
rose, Mrs. Langston saw him to the
outer door as if to be sure of his de-
parture. Even then the fellow, in
spite of all Mrs. Langston's efforts to
speed the parting guest, kept her IN
the draughty doorway quite quarter
of an hour
81 shall remain only five minutes,
Mrs. Langston,' | said when she at
last came back into the room. AS
spoke l met her weary glance with
sympathetic look, and sat down by her
on the sofa.
MY hour had arrived, and l assure
you | appreciated the fact. The house
was deadly still, the noise on the
street had lulled. and the footsteps of
the infrequent passersby only pune
tuated the silence. The situation was
enough to rattle any man. but, Hall,
old boy, / kept my head.
Mrs. Langston,' said l. solemnly,
I believe that great crisis has ar
rived in my life. and l want your kind
counsel and guidance
she gave me a quick look. l had
aroused her curiosity
"I am not quite sure, Mrs. Langs-
ton,' continued, not too rapidly, but
l suspect that | am in love-in love
for the first time, and wish your opin-
ion of my case.
How interesting. Mr.. Willett!
Tell me your symptoms.
| "She spoke in low, kind voice, her
attitude was one of alert sympathy
and pleasant twinkle in her black
eyes seemed to say Don't be down
hearted Noting the fact, l took
courage and went on:
Mrs. Langston, what is love?'
"Love? Why, love is-love is
She hesitated moment. What a
strange question:
The widow was bit confused.
"'To my mind | said. love is the
most mysterious of emotions, and the
most varied in its manifestations
"'Quite true, Mr.. Willett. and yet
there are certain unfailing signs that
enable most lovers to read their
hearts,
THE widow was trying to regain
the conversational reins, and let her
think that she had succeeded in doing
so, for all was now moving better than
! had hoped. l drew little nearer to
her on the sofa
"'Tell me some of those infallible
signs and l gave her fetching
glance.
"A short pause ensued, during which
l appeared anxiously expectant.
"'Well, Mr.. Willett if one is falling
in love for the first time, Fremont
tory uneasiness. in most cases, is ex-
perienced such as one has never felt
before; at the same time the mind
begins to dwell constantly upon one
person, and the haunting vision can
not be banished from the fancy by
any effort whatever-or at least one is
convinced that it cannot be banished,
so the result is the same-it stays
"'Go on, Mrs Langston,' said l.
drawing still nearer.
by consummate finesse l made the
beautiful creature describe her con-
ception of the feelings of her ideal
lover The clock of my fate had
struck. 1t was time for the grand
coup, and, throwing all the eloquence
of tenderness into my tones, l ex-
claimed:
Mrs. Langston, you have read my
heart like sibyl. That is just the
way | feel for you'll"
by George! Willett, let me con-
gratulate you on your success. You
deserve all your happiness, for you
| managed lHe AFFAIR ike Il
said Hall, extending his hand. But
tell me. did the widow surrender with
whispered yes, or did the tradition
| al silence give consent?"
Neither She just looked at me
with that bewitching twinkle In her
eye and said:
"Indeed, Mr. Willett, l am very
sorry, for that is just the way l feel
| for Mr. Parsons.
Great Scott! man, but l thought
you said it was all settled" exclaimed
Hall aghast.
We'll, isn't it? It's settled that she
is going to marry Parsons. All the
same. | am proud of my proposal, for
think it was work of art"