The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-04-30
Masqueradlng.

Masquerading.
$50 my cousin Is coming from
Europe to fulfill the conditions of his
fathers will? Well, 1 don't think
much of him, that's sure. Any man
that will consent to marry q girl
whom he has never seen, for the sake
ola little money, is contemplate
wretch I" and here Miss Lilias Seton
stopped excitely.
''But, Lilias," urged her cousin
Marian, "be reasonable. Herbert
Marston hasn'texpressed the slightest
intention of complying with his
fathers wishe5-has said nothing at
all about matrimony, and has no need
of the fortune left him conditionally."
"Well that only shows him to be
miserly," Was the willful retOrt.-
"And the matter just settles itself
down to this: I'm not going to marry
any one whom don't love with my
whole sOul-no matter what pecunia-
ry disadvantage may result-and /
don't want to be bothered with him
anyway. Marian, dear, won't you do
me favor 2" and the speakers visit
full gaze was very becoming.
"Why, of course. What Is 1t 2"
"Well, / thought over the matter
all last night, and / have hit upon a
splendid plan, If you'll only consent
to 1t. You know we have received
permission to keep house down at the
old homestead all by ourselves this
summer? Well, no one there knows
tis, and won't you be Lilias and let
me be your maid? If he can't love
me in one position as well as another,
l don't want anything to do with
him; and If he should fancy you, it
would be splendid"
Both OF these young ladies were
beautiful, wealthy and romantic. The
elder Mr.. Marston, on account OfsOme
fancied business wrong he had done
her father, had left his property to his
son, on condition that that son mar
ried Lilias; If he refused, Lilias was
to possess the whole. He had been
dead now about year, and two or
three days before, Lilias had received
a letter from the son, stating his in
tention Of coming again to America,
but making no mention whatever of
money or matrimony.
The letter was cultured and gentle
manly-Lilias was forced to confess
that-but his reticence on the one top
ic piqued her, and rather revengefully
she planned this little programme,
which, after a little coaxing, her
cousin agreed to.
In few weeks they were located
for the summer In the Seton home
stead. Mrs. Seton and her other
daughter had preferred fashionable
watering-place, but had not opposed
Lilias' desire to rusticate In the old
farmhouse, which was tenanted and
kept in order by couple to whom
both Lilias and Marian were stran-
gers.
"Now," said LilIas, one glorious
summer evening, 81 suppose we may
be expecting Herbert Marston daily,
as have left note to be delivered to
him Immediately after his arrival, in
forming i'm of my whereabouts. But
lookl here comes two strangers
may be that one of them Is he. BE
on your guard !"
She had no time to say more, for
both had approached, and one spoke:
sis Miss Seton residing here?'
Marian bowed composedly.
"rhat Is my name, sir"
"Indeed 2" with extended hand.
"Allow me then to introduce myself
as Herbert Marston."
After the necessary greetings had
been interchanged, the new conner
glanced inquirlngly at the little
white-robed figurestanding modestly
apart.
Marian bit her lips amusedly. Lii
las didn't look at all like a mental,
still her character must be kept up,
and, replying to his questioning gaze,
she said:
"Maggie, you may go In and help
Mrs. Brown about tea. / presume
your walk from the depot has given
you an appetite 2" and Marian In her
turn looked as though desiring an in
PRODUCTION to Mr.. Marston's compan-
ion.
"Perhaps," said the gentleman,
with an odd expression, "befOre your
maid attends to that part of the bust
ness, she will show my valet the room
/ am to occupy"
Botn girls looked up In surprise.
|. The valet was a handsome, dark
moustached six-foOter, whose very
expression belied his position of ser. |
Witty; but he had shouldered the |
valise, and stood waiting for his guide |
to lead the way; 80, in mere wonder,
Maggie obeyed the little imperative |
nod OF her mistress, and proceeded
up stairs.
"Whew !" said the valet, after de.
posting his burden, looking up with
a smile into tho fair young face of his
escort. "That's what I call warm
work Well, Maggie, are you and /
going to be friendsT'
He spoke rather condescendingly,
and the Indignant blood rushed Into
his companions cheeks as she re-
piled, coolly.
81 am nothing of a prophet, and,
therefore, find IL impossible to answer
your question decidedly, but / am In
ciined to think not"
He smiled provokingly.
THAT'S bad. But our opinions on
that subject differ. Why, ff we don't
entertain each other, what the dick
ems shall we do with ourselves ~
~ have never been at loss a for
amusement" responded his compan-