Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1882-12-02
THE FALSE LOVER.

But do You really mean IT, Mi.
Lilford?' Maysel Mayton was stand
ing in the illuminated archway of
the autumn woods, her bright braids
of hair pierced by one or two wander
ing sunbeams. her dimpled child-face
framed in, as it were, by sprays of
red-veined autumn leaves, while her
apron was full of the glistening brown
chestnuts which she had picked up
Harry Lilford leaned against the
tall, smooth trunk of the birch tree,
and looked at her with a lazy, iuxuri-
GUS sense of artistic beauty entering
into his mind as he gazed.
'Of course l mean it." said he,
But l am only twelve years DID,"
cried Maysel, finging back the sunny
tendrils of hair that hung over her
forehead
You are exactly twelve times AS
lovely as any of the city bellies that
congregate hereabosts," said Mr.. Lii
ford, striving to conceal yawn.
"And if they think / am engaged
don't you see?-there will be some
probability of their leaving off perse-
cutting me-"
WELL" said Maysel, every dimple
coming shyly out on lip and cheek as
she stood there.
Its to be compact, eh?" said Mr.
Lilford
Maysel nodded her fair little head
But" she questioned rather dubi
Ously, "Where is the ring?"
"The-what?"
THE engagement ring, Mr.. Lii
ford" explained MayseI, reproach
fully. Don't you know there's al
ways a ring in the novels? And most
generally it's diamond"
IF you'lltbelieve me-" said MIR. Lii
ford, tragically, II never thought of
the ring. But here's little opal that
used to be my mothers hanging on
my watch-c chain. Won't that dor"
Maysel held ont her brown finger,
while he fitted it on.
"You-you haven't kissed me yet"
she said, when this ceremony was
complete. Lovers always kiss their
fdncees"
Mr.. Lilford laughed.
"Come," said he, ''this is getting
serious. But here's the kiss before
the rest of the chestnut party get
here. And, mind, this is to be pro-
found secret between you and me-"
Maysel ran back home with vague
sensation of mysterious delight, and
thought how nice Mr.. Lilford looked,
all the time she was munching her
roasted chestnuts; and Mr.. Lilford
himself took advantage of the little
joke to proclaim himself an engaged
man. Nor is it an exaggeration to
say that the young ladies were genu
inely disappointed.
1T must be recent thing" said
Kate Meek, tossing her head.
"Oh, quite recent" acknowledged
Mr.. Lilford.
"Love at first sight?' asked Miss
Stanley.
IN. no, not exactly said Lilford.
I'm fact, l may say that l have ad-
mired the young lady since her in
fancy"
"What a delightful enigma" said
Maud Claremont. looking anything
but delighted. But of course, Mr..
Lilford, you'll tell us her name?
II am pledged to secrecy" said the
engaged man solemnly.
And when he left , III tile late
autumn, and forgot all about the
wild little woodland sprite who
climbed trees and pelted him with
chestnuts, waded with brown, dim
pied feet in the foamy waters OF the
glen torrent, and conducted him so
mysteriously to the barn chamber to
show him her empty birds nests,
butterfly wings and diamond bright
pebbles, how was he to know that she
remembered the episode under the
yellow -leaved chestnut trees as a red
letter day in her calendar!
"He ought to write to me-" said
Maysel, gloomily, as the weeks and
months glided by and no epistle came.
II do hope he isn't going to turn out
false, like the wicked cavaliers in story
books"
And when Mr.. Lilford sent her a
huge wax doll, with it's miniature
Saratoga trunk and complete outfit
of elegantly made dresses, at Christ
mas, Maysel flew into passion.
"As if / were a baby" said she. "A
doll, indeed, and twelve years old in
March! 1 wonder if he takes me for
a childs Who ever heard of gen
tleman sending doll to the young
lady he was engaged to!'
''My dear Maysel," said her mother,
half vexed, half amused, ''what non
sense you are talkingw
I'VE are engaged said Maysel.
"See the ringY'
And she shyly pulled it out from
the bosom of her dress.
1T was only joke" said Mrs.
Mayton.
1T was sober earnestw flashed out
Maysel.
shy DEAR" said Mrs. Mayton,
s'haven't you heard? Mr. Lilford is
to be married to Mary Huntington,