Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-05-22
MISCELLANEOUS,
WAS SHE FALSE :?
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

How did it happen? How do all these things
happenf Colonel Grey was poor and proud
his lovely daughter was dowerless, save for the
golden treasures OF her hair and eyes and Car
| son Fortescue was rich. That was ALL
"Ill go to Cedar Glen too" said Mr.. For
tescue. "But it il very inconsiderate of Geral-
dine to stay 30 long, when she knows prefer
the city in October"
30 Mr.. Fortescue packed his portmanteau,
bought his ticket and set out for the lovely re-
treat by the lake; where Miss Grey was recruit
ing her roses for the winter campaign.
Miss Grey was sitting on the veranda, with
half a dozen other dimped white muslined dam
sels-a delicious picture, framed in by sunset
and autumn leaves and waving vinetendrills,
when the letters came.
How provoking ~ said Geraldine Grey.
He's coming"
Who's coming, dear, ?" said Daisy Morrison
" Mr. Fortescue," said Geraldine. 80 The gen-
| am engaged to-"
Engaged y repeated Daisy, opening her ge-
nial blue eyes very wide. "Geraldine Grey, you
this timer
"Yes," said Geraldine, coloring like bit Of
sea-coral, aud dropping her lovely golden eye
lashes, " but had almost forgotten it."
"And Albert Garland Z"
Geraldine began to cry.
" 1 don't care" said she-"I don't care
love Albert Garland, and cannot bear old For
tescue. And never never will marry him, not
If end my days in an Old Maids Homeh II
only wasn't SO efrad of papa -
And then she told her pitful little tale of how
she had been coerced into the engagement, be-
cause Carson Fortescue was rch and Colonel
Grey was deeply in debt.
And he has lent papa ten Thousand dollars
already sobbed Geraldine and-and-what
shall lido? love Albert, but dare not break
the engagement with Mr.. Fortescue, lest poor
dear papa should get into trouble about it."
The other girls gathered around her with ten
der, loving expressions of regret and sympathy.
Daisy Morrison leaned her curl-fringed forehead
on her hands, and contracted her pretty chest
nut brown brows thoughtfully.
'And he is coming here, you say 2" she ques-
toned.
"By the late train He'll be here at nine
O'Clock and had promised Albert every waltz
upon my tablet !" sighed Geraldine.
''Horrid old thing u said Minnie Apthorpe
"Why couldn't he have been sensible enough
to stop away until after the hop 7"
Geraldine threw both arms around Daisy Nor
rison's neck.
"Dear Daisy" she coaxed, ''you are splendid
meY
"My dear" said Daisy, in patronizng grand
motherly sort OF way-she was Just eighteen
months older than Geraldine Gray herself
there's only one way out Of this dilemma. 'If
you don't like to break this obnoxious engage
ment yourself. you must make him do it,"
"Oh, if only could !" cried Gerald me- clasp
ing her hands, "But he won't.
We'll see about that ~ said Daisy, composed
ly. "Minnie, your room is next to Gersl-
dimes p
Yes" Minnie wonderingly responded.
swell, you must come and sleep with me
few lpights, just while Mr.. Fortescue is here
and the landlord must be instructed to give Ger
aldine's ancient lover your deserted apartment"
What for ?" questioned the girls in chorus.
''Oh, you'll see, answered Daisy, nodding her
head. 1.-THE partitions are thin. I've often
heard Minnie and Geraldine talking to each
other while they dressed"
But" cried Geraldine, in amazement, "you
don't expect me to talk to Mr.. Fortescue through
the"
"Not exactly" said Daisy, with the air of a
superior fairy, "but expect you to talk for his
benefit"
:" But Daisy, dear"
"Do, pray, keep quiet. every one of you,
scolded Daisy Morrison, until post you in your
various roles"
Fifteen minutes later, Geraldine Grey WAS
stopped in the wide, cool corridor which led to
her apartment by young gentleman in velye-
teen shooting costume
Hold OH, Gerry Whittier 30 fast Not until |
you have given me a kiss y
"Oh, Albert, | can't-he's coming !"
"He? Whom do you mean? Is there only one
individual in creation ?"
Tho old gentleman l told you of-Carson
Fortescue."
" Is that all?" said Mr.. Garland composedly. |
"Dont fret, Geraldine I'll pitch him into the |
lake. with tho greatest pleasure in life, if only |
you say 30 !"
Geraldine shook her head.
ut wouldn't do bit of good, Albert; am en-
gagged to him And never ought to have al |
lowed myself toto care for you "
"Break the engagement ~
"But dare not, Albert. He has lent papa |
ten thousand dollars"
m aaid
Garland, impatiently. rs this whole world |
made mp OF dollars and cents Is love to be sold |
by the pint, peck or bushel? Let's elope this
very night, dear little Queen of Hearts
Still Geraldine shook her head.
''Then you don't love me rs 1 love you," he
said reproachfully.
"Oh, do, Albert, do. Only dare not Of
fend him, for papa's sake. Only wait until
"Why until Tomorrow"
"perhaps." Geraldine faltered, "perhaps he
may change his mind"
is that likely" Garland somewhat bitterly
demanded.
.But we'll wait and see. Don't he unreason-
able Albert, dear, when / am so wretched
Hush, there is the whistle of the train now, "and
away she ran, before Albert Garland could put
in another word.
The yellow gold of the sunset had faded out
Of the sky, and the frosty chill of an October
evening filed the air. as Mr.. Carson Fortescue,
bundled in various strata OF WOODEN wrappings,
entered his room
"Whee-w I'm glad I'm safe hero at last
after three hours ride on that horrid one-horse
railroad Waiter, tell 'em to light a fire here at
once, and to send up some hot water and dev-
lied CHECKED and a tumbler of brandy and water,
hot dye hear? And toll them to look sharp about
it 7"
"Yes, sir" The waiter bowed and disappear
ed. Mr.. Fortoscue sat down and unpacked his
slippers
"If there's to be dance here tonight, may
as we'll freshen up for it little, said he to him
self. "But Geraldine must be made to under.
stand, when once we are married, that this sort
of thing isn't to go on every evening in the week
l wonder if my dressing case
But his reverie was checked by the sudden
sound CT voices in the adjoining room. He lis
tened minute or two.
"Geraldine, by Jove he muttered soto Uoce
Geraldine and a lot of other girls getting ready
for the dance, suppose. How plain l can hear
what they say !"
Miss Grey's voice rose high and shrill above
the others.
"Give me my hair girls-the long switch, you
know, and the Two curls There that's right !"
Mr.. Fortescue sat motionless, the bottle OF
" Corn Ointment" in his hand.
" False hair false hair !" he muttered omi-
nously, under his breath. " She has been de-
ceiving me all this while. hate false things +!
Hush sh-sh What is she saying now p
''Daisy am 1 too pale ?" demanded Miss Grey.
"Have got too much of the pearl powder |
No, aaI,