Show j How rapidly the time flew by and how happy we all were All the day I Iwas 4 was with my love te and every night the photograph was taken from its hiding- hiding place and laid away again with smiles and kisses now instead of tears Madge dear I said on the last night he was to stay with us Madge t. t I believe he does care for me a little He He cares for you a big hig I should t say You little goose what do you F 1 suppose he came down here for Why because Robert asked him U and b because cause you ou have such a pleasant home t dear little My greengage replied Madge Robert did not ask Jack Jack asked Robert He knew you were here and and F Madge I said staring at her in in amazement who told 3 you ou Why Robert of course Poor f Jack He simply worships you Bess Indeed I remarked frigidly How very presumptuous this Mr f is I. I walked out of the room in my most dignified manner Madges Madge's astonished astonished astonished as as- Well of all things ringing in my ears I did not sleep much that night I Iwas Iwas Iwas was laying plans for the morning He I loved me he loved me and would tell me so before he went away But I would not give in too soon Oh how I would tease him before I said yes So in the morning I went down downstairs downstairs stairs intent on mischief Jack Tack was 1 waiting for for me me his ha hands ds full of dewy roses t tOh Oh how beautiful they are I exclaimed ta taking ing them thern Bess he said I am going away today Yes I answered pelting him with the flowers and in order that you may enjoy your last day in peace I am going going going go go- ing to leave you for awhile e. e Bess you witch come here T l have something to tell you Really Mr I am very busy at present I positively cannot spare the time And I ran away laughing I did not hurry back He may fret fretas as much as he hp pleases I said to myself myself myself my my- self it will do him good I roamed teamed untiringly through the fields plucking great bunches of wild flowers and at last turned my steps homeward I knew somebody who would be delighted to see me once more and with a very indifferent air I entered the parlors No Noone Noone Noone one but Madge was there Why what is the matter I said Where is Robert He is gone she answered Gone I echoed Suddenly Sudden Iv the world had become lonely Gone And Jack has gone too Oh Madge why didn't you oh what shall I do And Andin Andin Andin in spite of myself the tears began rolling rolling rolling roll roll- ing down my cheeks Then two strong hands closed over mine the dearest voice in all the world said Li Little run runaway a way and Madge left the room with more haste than graceI grace I could not go o without seeing you Jack said I I love you Bess Ah do you care for me Will Vill you be my wife wile sweetheart I Ill I'll Ill I'll try I stammered What a foolish answer And if at firs you dont don't succeed will you try try again smiled Jack ack raising raising raising rais rais- ing my bent head and gazing fondly into my eyes I did not answer but Jack must have understood for he tucked me into such a limited space that I gasped II Oh Oh Jack ack let me out which he declared was quite unpardonable under the circumstances Then we h heard ard a most unearthly howl outside the closed door II All Allright Allright Allright right shouted Jack come in lD andin andin and andin in stalked Madge and Robert II Robert II I exclaimed Where did you come from II The clothespress he answered laughing II Oh Oh you need not look so bewildered Bess You were so excuse so-excuse excuse me me confounded confounded d independent that we had bad to do something II Then I am to that I have been made the subject of a mean low trick Mr I continued drawing myself up majestically you you will do me the great honor of considering considering considering consider consider- ing our engagement broken I will not marry any man who basely basely Here Jack took the matter into his own hands or rather arms threatening me with an instantaneous and crushing death unless I 1 promised not to say another word about it So I promised 4 |