Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-05-28
THE LOTTERY OF LIFE.

Mary Leslie, having Oeen ieh Pool
orphan, sought to earn her living by
working as designer in wall papers.
This hurt the feelings OF her fashionable
cousins, the Percivals. with the exception
of Young Tom who admired her greatly.
Mr. D'Eresby, millionaire wanting de-
signs tor an elegant house he was about
to build, was referred TO Mary. and step
ping to her table at the furniture eslab-
lishment-"Are you the drawing girl P'
he demanded somewhat brusquoly.
Yes, sir. am said Mary demurely.
WELL" said Mr.. D'Eresby. after mo-
ment's survey of the work upon which
she was engaged, II believe you are the
very one to carry out my ideas. My
carriage is at the door-get into it."
Mary. bewildered. was whiried up
along Piccsdilly, by the side OF a man
who talked OF Michael Angelo, Raphael
and Leonardo di vinci. as If they were
people be had just met. II was very
strange. but after all, there was An ele-
ment of 'niceness" about it. Mary Los
lie had had dear,h Of adventures in het
life up to the present date, and here
seemed the dawning promise of one.
Mr.. D'Ersby's sudden apparition on
the matrimonial horizon caused no incop-
siderable sensation. as may readily be
coniectured, and half the marrisgeable
young ladies in town prepared their
arrowy smiles and glances for his heart
among others, Josephine Percival.
II must marry rich." argued the
young lady, "for have such expensive
tastes, andI should so enjoy handsome
home. I'm sure I'm as good looking as
the average, with little lily powder, and
my hair nicely crepe. and there's no reas-
on why | shouldn't win the prize. At oil
events, I'll have try"
That's it," said Tom scornfully; ego
In and win"
You're a goose. Toni" said Miss
Percival, somewhat discounted.
IL may be a goose" answered Tom.
"bu, l ain't girl, glory be thanked !
What fools they all sre-except Polly
Leslie ~
Miss Percival was introduced, by dint
OF special mau1uvring that very evening
to Mr.. D'Eresby, and congratulated her
self on making considerable headway in
the good grAces of that extremely eligible
gentleman. And as time went on, ap-
pearances grew more and more favorable.
Mr.. D'Eresby was evidently amused by
her artless prsttle and lisping observa-
lions, and il was surely but one step
from amusement to devotion. To be sure,
be never said anything that she could
coustrue into special meaning on the
matrimonial question; but as long rs
time and the dictionary were open to
him, who knew what next might rans-
pire? Mrs. Percivsl began gravely 70
consider the merits Of satin aad reps silk
for a wedding dress; while Tom the
shrewdest OF them all, bit the end OF his
slate pencil. and grinned like a gorilla.
One besmy summer morning, Miss
Percival made one OF a party OF ladies
who were admitted TO view the elegs Of
D'Eresby mansion. now just on the verge
OF completion. Josephine was in high
spirits OF course.
"He certainly must have meant some
thing" thought Josephine. "or he never
would have asked me so particularly to
come and look at the rooms"
Whether Mr.. D'Eresby's "meaning"sp-
piled equally to the seven o.her madens
and the two blooming widows who ac-
companied her, Miss Percival, not being
OF a strictly logical nature. never paused
10 consider.
How do you like this room?" asked
Mr.. D'Eresby. as they paused in one
which looked as much Ike the heart oil a
blue bell as furnished apartment we'll
could do.
A velvet carpet in shaded azures-a
blue paper strewn with tiny tern leaves
in gold-bue satin chairs, and ceiling
just tinted with the pale cerulean OF the
midday sky-it preserved a strange and
pleasing individuality io every feature
and corner.
"Oh, it's bee-yu-ti-iul y murmured Jo-
sepbipe, clasping her kid-gloved hands in
a species of lady-like ecstacY.
Il am glad you like it, said D'Eresby,
moving back tiny msrble statuette OF
Eurydice. and critically adjusting an aqua
rum in the window. This is 10 be Mis-.
D'Eresby's silting-room ~
Your motherP' asked Josephine,
smiinglY interested.
"No-my wife,"
"Oh, you puzzling manp cried Jose
phine, making little dive at him with
her lacs fan. "You know very well that
you are not married"
81 shall be very soon."
"Aliss Percival blushed. The seven
other young ladies looked enviously At
her, and the two widows tossed their
heads and muttered something about
"minxes." while Mr.. D'Eresby threw
open q door leading to suite Of rooms
painted and panelled in green and silver.