An Old Man's Darling

ook and sprang up with a b

se the invitation," said she, brightly

slie Dane, laughing, as h

ike predicament," said she, rather pettishly, as t

ldish air of offende

eeling. For instance, when I captured your skiff and set forth alone I was just dying to have

one fortunate, then I have been fortunate all my life. Uncle Francis

he answered; "yet you were looking rather grave and thoughtful this

in me," she answered, simply, "fo

entous matters, no

ome now, Mr. Dane, guess what

" he said in a light tone of railery, yet looking at her with all his manly heart in his lar

eyes until the long, curling lashes hid them from view. A s

g

my fortune told-there

d surprise. "Getting your fortun

and wished to foretell my future. Of course, I do not believe in such things at all, but I humor

t," said Lesli

the old sibyl with patient exactness and in

shore, and I made quite an effective picture of her once, though I dare say the old witch would wan

he, looking up with a gleam of somethin

temptuously. "There were but two things

?" she questio

Francis loves the very ground you walk upon, to use a homely expression, and, Bonnibel,

ing up with an innocen

one-I believe you will be a young man's

had grown dearer to him than his own life-the words that would seal his fate! He looked at her imploringl

or artist, with fame and fortune yet to win, and the world says that you will be your uncle's heiress. Yet

way from his gaze, and continued to play with the water as though indifferent to

my struggle with the world. I only ask you to remember me, and that when f

6] indeed to avert her face so resolutely; but suddenly, wit

as bathed in brilliant blushes, tinted like the sunset red that was flushing the evening sky. A quivering

t angry; you forgive me-you will let me worshi

," said she, trying to frown away th

d innocent to play the coquette. Lay your little hand in mine, dearest, an

ed one moment between girlish shyness and a mischievous love of teasing, but a swift look at the dark, eloquent face of her han

piness the world holds fo

eyes grew radiant

and thanks for that assurance! How can I than

happy, too, Leslie,"

bel?" said he, presently. "Will he not be angry with the

l consent when he knows how much I love you. You must ask him this very evening to l

guine lover. "But the sun is se

ws calling above their heads, and the radiant sunset shining on the water with a brigh

large and handsome white villa that stood in the middle of beautiful and well-k

y went up the smooth, graveled walk. "You must go right[Pg 7] in an

when you come back, run down to the shore after the moon is u

am sure that Uncle Francis will keep you to di

o the hall, and then ran up the broad stair-way to her ro

rancis Arnold, the millionaire, sat in his easy-chair puffing his evening ci

re sharp and resolute in contour, and betokened more sternness than Bonnibel Vere ever dreamed of in his unf

llionaire arose and acknowledged his respe

ing. Have a seat and

young artist, politely, "but I am sorry to

his own cigar away and resuming his seat. "Sit dow

ome face lighted

lately at quite a fair valuation, and the critics have praised the

id Mr. Arnold, cordially. "Do yo

eatures beaming with pleasure. "I believe I shall succeed in my ambition. I feel within myself

. He had never seen him so enthusiastic on an

e and determined," he

gravely. "I mean to conquer success.

g

ch fate reserves to a bright manhoo

towering ambition, Dane," sai

ave come here this evening to ask you for the hand of Miss V

ir

the millionaire's mou

iron-gray hair seemed to stand erect on his head with indignant surprise. His keen

iss Vere, to ask of you her hand in m

with rage, pale as death under the in

u have abused the confidence I reposed in your honor as a gentleman, to win the

I have abused your confidence, I deny! Bonnibel loves me as I love her, but I have taken no undue advantage to gain her love. You invited

oo far away to warm you with its beams. By Jove! sir, do you know that Bonnibel Vere will be my heiress? Do you know that the best blood of the lan

e lost all our wealth by the late war, but we belong to the first rank yet in point of birth. I can give you perfect satisfaction on these points, sir. And for the rest, I do not propose to claim Bonnibel until I have

must be an insuperable bar to your union. Perhaps it was her wealth you were after. The idea of making love to that child! She is but a child, after

not permit you to apply such an insulting epithet to

trust. Do you think I would give her to you, or to any man who did not stand head and shoulders above his fellow-men in every point of excellence? Would I waste her sweet years waiting for

hoice but to obey. He was trembling with passion, and

im on Bonnibel! Sooner or later she shall yet be my wife! And, mark me, sir, you

ure striding down the graveled walk, and disapp