The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-02-26

peHlitibth tl tBtiT acquaintance, Du
were still dissatisfied with the result
At length Grace aung aside hel
pen, exclaiming: listen to this
Belle; it is much better than the 9th
er plan" And she read as follows
ITO Henry Archer, Esq.:
DEAR FRIEND: Hhave long beer
aware of your real feelings toward
me, and trusted that tinc would ena
bic you to overcome your difiidence
and allow you to tell me of your love
and thus make US both happy, but as
l see no prospect of this, ] venture to
take advantage of the privilege Of
Leap Year, and tell you that most
sincerely love and esteem you. Please
d 10, write an answer to this, but il
inclined to forgive my forwardness,
and accept my proposal, meet me to.
morrow night at II O'Clock, in Mrs
Grav's conservatory.
Very truly yours,
LILY ATHERToN.
"Why. Grace Thatcher what do
you meang You will surely never
send that to Harry Archer exclaim-
ed Belle, utterly aghast at the bare
idea.
Indeed / will, Belle; and Lily
ought to be much obliged to me for
doing so. Anybody can see that
Harry Archer worships the ground
she treads on; but she is so quiet and
reserved that he has no encourage
ment to propose. When they once get
together in Mrs. Gray's conservatory
with that letter, they must come to
an understanding | know Lily is to
be at Mrs. Gray's party, and Of course
Mr.. Archer will, as he is Mrs. Gray's
nephew"
But now there is one trouble" she
continued. Mr.. Archer knows my
writing, for one day he and helped
Mrs. GRAY write some invitations.
Can't you copy it for me, BELIEF
Yes said Belle, rather thought
fully for her, "but are you sure you
had better send it. i shouldn't quite
like such a trick played on me, would
you!
Il shouldn't care! not one bit !" de-
clared Grace, emphatically shaking
!. back her long ringlets. ''lf any one
served me so, | could get out of it
well enough. Because, you see" she
added. Il don't care anything about
any one; SO | should be perfectly
cool and self-possessed."
Even if it were Edward Fairfax"
auerird Belle, arehly
"Of course. Why not he as well
as all Jther sn returned Grace But
Belle aoted the sudden flush on her
cheek.
"Well, I'll copy it," she said. But
how are YOU going to witness the ten
der meeting. Grace, for | suppose you
mean TO? 7"
Certainly" replied Grace. Il
would not miss that for anything. I'll
hide in the conservatory, and no one
will be the wiser. But now copy
this tossing the note to Belle, who
obeyed.
u must go now, Grace" she said,
as she finished. Il promised to be
home early. | shall see you to-mor-
row evening at Mrs. Gray's." And
the friends parted.
As Belle hurried along the street,
she could scarcely maintain beeom-
ing gravity, and when she entered
her own room she burst into q merry
laugh.
III do it! certainly Wilt" she
exclaimed IF Grace is so perfectly
willing that any one should play her
such trick, I'll Just make another
copy of her note for Edward Fairfax.
How neatly | smuggled her rough
draft of it and q sheet of note paper,
with her monogram into my pocket
am sure Edward Fairfax ought to
thank me, for he is as proud as Luci-
fer. and as poor as church mouse +!
and he would not offer himself TO the
beautiful heiress, Grace Thatcher, for
any earthly consideration; and to see
the way be stands and gazes at her
in party where they chance to meet,
is enough to give one the blues No,
no. I'll settle your business, sir"I
And snatching up pen, very few
moments sufficej to make another
copy of Grace's note, the only altera-
ton being that Graee's and Mr.. Fair
fax's names were substituted for those
of Lily and Harry Archer. This
missive being duly posted, she impa-
tiently awaited the next evening.
Before accompanying her to Mrs.
Gray's however, let US take one more
look at Lily Atherton. Her friends
had remained sewing until nearly
dark, and on their departure she had
accompanied to the tea table. Soon
after that meal was over, Mr.. Archer
was announced, and from his welcome
bv both ladies, it was evident that he
was frequent and welcome guest
The truth was that he had been for
some months Lily's accepted suitor
but, owing to her having been in deep
mourning for her father, the engage
ment had been kept strictly private.
Now, that Lily had begun once more
to mingle in society, iurther conceal
ment was not cared for, and the mar
riage was soon to take place
Mr.. Archer seemed rather more Sc
date than usual, and in the pause of
conversation idly turned the leaves in +,
Lily's photograph album. Suddenly |
bis face lighted up, and drawing a
note from bis pocket, be eagerly COM
pared the writing it contained with |
the autographs.
What interests you so much, Har-
ry," asked Lily, coming to his side,
MAY i see ~
Yes, you may now, though had l
not discovered the author, you SHOULD |
not" said Archer, handing her the
note, which my readers will divine
was the one copied for Grace by Belle.
Lily's face flushed Indignantly, as
she read
20. how could they do such thing?"
she exclaimed. Surely, Harry, you
did not hink | knew anything about
it 2"
"No, indeed, dearest. ! know you
too well for that: and besides. it is