The Carlisle independent., 1909-06-17

COulu. udu lOt UT appear at d us 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 yersational ball brilliantlyrolling for an hour and a half Then as it ap- preached II o'clock she grew suddenly quiet. There was nothing rude about it, but it was the dearest 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 re-enforced by glance I gave my watch. He re- n4afned full 15 minutes longer, and ! when, to my great relief, he finally 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. Langstons efforts to speed the parting guest, kept her in the draughty doorway quite a quarter of an hour
 - shall remain only five minutes, Mrs. Langston, I said when she at last came back into the room As 1 spoke I met her weary glance with sympathetic look, and sat down by her on the sofa.
 My hour had arrived, and I assure you I 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 I, solemnly. I believe that great crisis has ar rived in my life. and I want your kind | counsel and guidance.
 She gave me quick look I had l aroused her curiosity.
 I am not quite sure, Mrs. Langs- ton,' I continued, not too rapidly, but l suspect that I am in love-in love for the first time, and wish your opin- ion of my case
 How interesting, MT. Willett! Tell me your symptoms
 She spoke in low, kind voice, her attitude was one of alert sympathy, and a pleasant twinkle in her black eyes seemed to say Don't be down hearted Noting the fact, I took courage and went on:
 Mrs. Langston, what is love?'
 Love? Why, love is-love is-' She hesitated moment. What strange question:
 The widow was a bit confused
 To my mind said, love is the most mysterious of emotions, and the most varied in it's manifestations.
 Quite true, Mir 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 I had hoped. I drew a little nearer to her on the sofa.
 Tell me some of those infallible signs and I gave her fetching glance
 "A short pause ensued, during which l appeared anxiously expectant.
 We'll MT. Willett. if one is falling in love for the first time, premoni- i tory uneasiness, in most cases, is ex- 1 perieneed such as one has never felt 1 before; at the same time the mind l 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 I. drawing still nearer.
 By consummate finesse I made the beautiful creature describe her con- ception of the feelings of her ideal lover. The clock of my fate had struck. It was time for the grand coup, and, throwing all the eloquence of tenderness into my tones, I ex- claimed:
 Mrs. Langston, you have read my heart like sibyl That is just the way feel for you.'"
 By Georgel Willett. let me con gratulate you on your success. You deserve all your happiness, for you managed the affair like Talleyrand," 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:
 "Tndeed. Mir Willett, am very sorry, for that is just the way I feel for Mir Parsons"
 " Great Scott! man, but I thought you said 1t was all settledi" exclaimed Hall, aghast.
 Well, isn't 1t? It's settled that she is going to marry Parsons. All the same. I am proud of my proposal, for think it was a work of art"
 What Money Can't Buy. | Money can't buv oyarvthfro.