Year: 1877

ends of his fingers. Somehow, /
didn't seem such an easy thing as hi


had fancied it would be to carry on
the programme he had laid down toI
himself, and he began to wish he wa
most nywherc else. But here he wa.
and he must go through with it.


Miss Ashton-ahem! ] suppOs,
you know that am Frederick Pople
toms uncle, and so can guess why l ar
here?'


Rose glanced up shyly at the speak
er from beneath the long, brown lash
es.


q suppose it is because he asked yor
to come


Nothing of the kind. He dom
know word abont it,
'OhP


Mr.. Popleton felt that he was not
getting on very well and as he con
sidered it highly important that he
should get oD, he summoned all bis
resolution, and commenced again.


No, ma'am. came entirely on my
own responsibility. l consider it a
matter Of duty to let you know that
strongly disapprove of your engage
ment. And furthermore, it is my in
vincible determination, if he persists
in running counter to my wishes, to
have nothing more to do with him.


This was, evidently something that
Rose did not expect to hear ;the dimp-
ling smiles left the mouth, and the
violet eyes opened " .dely.


Looking resolutely away, Mr.. Pop
Teton continued:


If you think my nephew has prop
erty in his own right, you were never
more mistaken. He is entirely de-
pendent on me and if he commits the
folly he contemplates, l won't give
him penny!'


Here Mr.. Popleton turned his eyes
upon the face opposite him, as if to
see what effect his words were pro-
ducing. All its bloom and ciehtness
had vanished, but he went pitiIessly
on.


sOf course, you can marry him il
you choose this is a free country, and
people can make themselves as miscr-
able as they like, l suppose. Only, l
feel it my duty to warn you what the
inevitable consequences will be. Fred.
can hardly take care of himself. You'll
have large family poor people al
ways do have large families-aud the
result will be poverty, misery, and no
end of troubled


This was not a very encouraging
prospect to look forward to, and Rose
did not look as if she considered it as
such. She made no reply, however.
and Mr.. Popleton continued:


'On the other hand, if you Will act
as sensibIy and discTeetlv in the mat
ter, as think you will on reflection,
you will never be sorry for it. You
may count on my protection and friend
ship-thc protection and friendship OF
Josiah Popleton!'-


Rose now spoke.


Il love Frederic


Don't answer me now interrupted
Mr.. PopletOn, rising, and turning to
the door; take time TO think the mat
ter over. I'll be here tomorrow at
the same hour to get ycur decision.
Only remember if you DO really love
my nephew that you will not take n
that will ruin his prospects for
life.'


mo wonder the young rascal is be-
thought the old gentleman
as he took his way homeward, SHE is,
certainly, the most bewitching crea-
ture l ever saw!'


Mr.. Popleton expected his nephew
back on the following day, and was,
all the more anxious that
the matter should be satisfactorily set
tied. Promptly at the hour he had
named to Rose, he was on hand TO re-
ceive her decision.


'Mr. Popleton, cannot feel it would
be right for me to break my engage
ment with your nephew if he chOOs-
es to give me up that is another thing.
The thought of making trouble be-
tween you two gives me more pain
than can tell you. What possible
objection can you haye to me?'


Here poor Rose burst into tears.


No objection to you, whatever, my
DEAR said Mr.. Popleton, taking one
of the soft white hands in both of his.
On the contrary, l think you the most
creature l ever saw!


'Wby then, are you SO unwilling
that l should marry your nephew


because | want 10 marry you my
SELF


Rose started to her feet.


'Are YOU in earnest, sirE'


Il was never more in earnest in my
life. l love you TO distraction, and
shall consider myself the happiest of
men il you will become Mrs. Josiah



Rose turned her flashing eyes upon
the speaker with look that hc never
forgot.


If you were not Frederics uncle,
should express in very plain terms my
opinion OF you. AS it is, l have only
to say that there is the door, and to
ask you TO go


Mr.. Poplcton did not wait for sec
oud invitation.


On reaching the corner, he looked
back, just in time to catch glimpse
of his nephew going in.


Feeling very much like one that had
been raised TO great height, and set
down very suddenly, Mr.. Popleton
went home.