The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-06-17

fellow, who had treated her from the |
first with conspicuous gallantry.
AS for Alan, he had fallen head and |
ears in love with Dulcie from the very |
first, and was only longing for a suit
able opportunity for declaring his af- |
lection.
But he, too, felt doubtful as to wheth- |
er his people would approve of his |
choice, for Dulcie had confided to him
that she had proposed learning type
writing during the winter months; it
might be useful later on if she ever be-
came proficient, she had said with be-
coming mOdesty.
by Jove! there will be a row." he
had said to himself. Il can see the
ing to marry a typist; the poor old
dad'll have fit. However, / hope he'll
get over it, for mean to marry Dulcie
even if he cuts me off with the pro-
verbal shilling"
Alan was anxious to make the most
of the next few days, for early in the
week following his people would return
home from the Continent and he might
not be able to enjoy so much of his
new friends company. His sisters
would certainly make demands upon
his time, and he was not altogether
sure that they and his mother would
be as enthusiastic in entertaining Miss
Merrion and her charming niece as he
hoped they might be. No doubt they
would call, but that might not be quite
| the same thing as making friends with
the two ladies. Certainly, if Dulcie
were to mention to his eldest sister
Winifred, that she was thinking of
| earning her living by typeWriting, it
would put an end to all hope of friend
ship between them, and he could well
imagine that Winifred would make
very determined effort at interference
between him and the girl he loved. All
the more reason, he thought, for try
| ing to come to an understanding with
Dulcie before his people returned
home. AS matter of fact his father
was at home now, but he went off to
his business early every day and in
no way interfered with his sons ar
rangements.
The day following his determination
to speak to Dulcie at the first Oppor-
tunity, he had arranged to go with her
aunt for a days outing to Grasmere.
They left Bowness soon after ten in
the 'Invicta," and went by coach from
Ambleside to Grasmere, passing Rydal
on the way. 1t was Dulcies first visit
to Grasmere, and she was charmed
with both the smaller lakes. 1t was
a bright sunny day and Rydal looked
it's best. AS they swung round the
corner towards Grasmere, Alan told
the two ladies to shut their eyes, till
he should bid them open them. Dulcie
never forgot the glorious sight that
met her eyes and Alan exclaimed,
Now look!" There lay the placid
lake between the trees, and beyond,
the quiet village, smuggling peacefully
beneath the mountains.
What made you think of telling us
to shut our eyes and open them just
then? she asked.
You see, | know this place pretty
well, but as a matter of fact | picked
the idea up from one of the coach
drivers on this route; he likes giving
his passengers dramatic surprise"
They lunched in the village and,
after they had visited the beautiful
old church and WORDSWORTH tomb,
Alan proposed walk around the
lake as far as Red Bank, where he as
sured them they would get magnifi-
cent view. Miss Merrion begged to be
excused; she was tired and would pre-
fer to stay in the village.
But you two co." she urged, "And
will await you here"
| Certainly the view from Red Bank
repaid them for their walk, and as
they sat on a messy bank far above
the lake, Dulcie thought she had rare
ly seen anything more peaceful. Pres
emily Alan broke the silence.
Won't you be sorry to leave this
beautiful country, Miss Carruthers?"
he said.
YES, indeed" said the girl; we've
had a delightful time ever since we
came"
1 DuI you IL dSdluy WOH YOU!
II don't know; that depends on
whether CT not auntie asks me to-
But you must come! Miss Car.
ruthers, Dulcie, I've only known you
a short time, but think / learnt to
care for you at once. Do you think
you could care for me?"
He took her hand as he spoke and
Dulcie didn't draw it away. Indeed,
she felt she couldn't, for she had
learnt too well to love this great, fine
fellow who wooed her so CALAMITY.
What pity he was not in her own
station! she thought. She would be
true to him all the same, but she
feared that he might have trouble with
her people.
yes, Alan, love you," she said
simply, land I'll be true to you, but
I'm afraid you may have trouble in
persuading father to let me marry
| you."
why on earth should he object to
me?" cried Alan in amazement. Pm
a fair, straight chap with nothing to
regret in my past life, and I'm we'll
born and shall have plenty to keep
a wife upon. You'll pardon my say
ing it, dearest, but l can't see what
your father can object to in me as
a husband for the daughter he'll allow