The Carlisle independent., 1909-10-14

", and did his share Of the taihlHS, and I-I talked, too, as well as l could. I had to, or appear at dis advantage, but I assure you it was the most terrible strain of my life. To be mirthful at Mrs. Langstons 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 II o'clock she grew suddenly quiet. There was nothing rude about | 1t, but it was the clearest tip to take | his leave that man ever received; but would you believe it, Hall, that blockhead of a Parsons never took the hint, even though it was re-enforced l by glance I gave my watch He re- r<ained full 15 minutes longer, ana | 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 Langston's efforts to speed the parting guest, kept her in the draughty doorway quite quarter of an hour
 I 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 a sympathetic look, and sat down by her on the sofa
 My hour had arrived, and I assure you l appreciated the fact. The house Ilx- C+f tI,4 osC ho street had lulled, and the footsteps of the infrequent passersby only punc- tuated the silence. The situation was enough to rattle any man, but, Hall, old boy, I kept my head.
 Mrs. Langston, said I, solemnly. believe that great crisis has ar rived in my life, and I want your kind counsel and guidance
 She gave me a quick look. I had aroused her curiosity.
 :" am not quite sure, Mrs. Langs- ton,' l continued, not too rapidly, but l suspect that l 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 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 a moment What a strange question:
 The widow was bit confused.
 |" To my mind I said, love is the most mysterious of emotions, and the most varied in its 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 I let her think that she had succeeded in doing so, for all was now moving better than had hoped. 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 appeared anxiously expectant.
 Well, MT. Willett, if one is falling in love for the first time, a premoni- 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 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 eloouence 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- gFatuiate you on your success You deserve all your happiness, for you managed the affair like Talleyrand. said Hall, extending his hand. eB tell me, did the widow surrender wi whispered yes or did the tradftf al silence give consent?"
 Neither. She just looked at me with that bewitching twinkle in her eye and said:
 Indeed, MT. Willett, I am verv sorry, for that is just the way I feef for Mir Parsons" E E
 Great Scott! man. but I thoueht you said it was all settled!" exclaims6 el Hall, aghast.
 Well, isn't it? It's settled that she IS gong to marry Parsons. All fhe same, l am proud of my proposal. for. think it was work of art.'
 What Money Can't Buy.
 Money can't buy evervthfs<. There o1, F