The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-04


want another inspiration" And she de-
parted with Belle, unmindful of Lily's en-
treaties not to Garry out her project.
Seated in Graces's library, the friends
wrote and re-wrote epistles to various gen.
tlemen of their acquaintance, but still were
dissatisfied with the result
At length Grace flung aside her pen.
exelaiming Listen to this, Belle; il is
much better than the other plan" And
she read as follows:
ITO Henry Archer, Esq.
DEAR FRIEND:-I have long been
aware Of your real feelings towards me. and
trusted that time would enable you to over
come your difidence, and allow you to tell
me of your love, and thus make us both
happy, but as 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 do
not write an answer to this, but if inclined
to forgive my forwardness, and accept nv
proposal, meet me tomorrow night at ii
O'Clock, in Mrs Gay's conservatory
Very truly yours,
LILY ARTHERToS.
why, Grace Thatcher! What do YOU
mean? You will surely never send that
to Harry Archer |" exclaimed Belle, utterly
aghast at the bare idea.
"lndced will, Bellei and Lily ought to
be much obliged to me for doing so. Any
body can see that Harry Archer worships
the ground she treads on; but she is so
quiet and reserved that he has no encour-
agement to propose When they once get
together in Mrs, Gray's conservatory with
that letter, they must come to an under
standing l know Lily is to be at Mrs.
Grays party, and of course Mr.. Archer
will, as he is Mrs. Gray's nephew"
"But now there is one trouble, she con-
tinued. "Mr. Archer knows my writing,
for one day he and | helped Mrs. Gray
write some invitations. Can't you copy
it for me, Belle ?"
Yes said Belle, rather thoughtfully
for her; but are you sure you had better
send it, shouldn't quite like such trick
played one me, would your
Il shouldt care not one Bit" declared
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, II don't care ANYTHING
about any one; so | should be perfectly
cool and self-poSsessed."
Even if it were Edward Fairfax ?"
queried Belle, archly.
"Of course. Why not he as well as an
other?" returned Grace. But Belle noted
the sudden flush on her cheek.
well, III copy it, she said But
how are you going to witness the tender
meeting, Grace, for | suppose you mean
to?
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" she added,
tossing the note to Belle, who obeyed.
Il must go now, Grace" she said, as
she finished. II promised to be home
early. shall see you tomorrow evening
at Gmys And the friends parted.
As Belle hurried along the street, she
could scarcely maintain becoming grayi-
ty, and when she entered her own room
she burst into merry laugh.
I'm do it | certainly will !" she ex-
claimed. 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 sheet of the
note paper, with her monogram, into my
pocket And she talks of their thanking
her | am sure Edward Fairfax ought to
thank me, for he is as proud as Lucifer,
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 he stands
and gazes at her in any party where they
chance to meet, is enough to give one the
blues No, no I'll settle your business,
sir" And snatching up pen, very few
moments sufiiced to make another copy of
Gracc's note, the only alteration being that
Graces and Mr.. Fairfax's names were
substituted for those of Lily and Harry
Archer. This missive being duly posted,
she impatiently 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 joined her mother at
the tea-table. Soon after that meal was
over, Mr. Archer was announced, and
from his welcome by both ladies, it was
evident that he was frequent and well
come guest The truth was, he had been
for some months Lily accepted suitor, but,
owing to her having been in deep MOURN
ing for her father, the engagement had
been kept strictly private. Now that
Lily had begun once more to mingle in
society, further concealment was not cared
for, and the marriage was soon to take
place.
Mr.. Archer seemed rather more sedate
than usual, and in the pauscs of converse
ton idly turned the leaves in Lily's
photograph album. Suddenly his face
lighted up, and drawing note from his
pocket, be eagerly compared the writing