The Worthington advance., 1882-10-12

MISS barOny gazed curiOusly around.
How angelical;y beautiful she looked.
wrapped in the violet velvet cloak.
edged with ermine, her cheeks flushed
with softest rose, her eyes sparkling, her
hair hanging fringe Of dark gold over
her forhead!
"Where is Lady Helen Brabazon?'
she asked abruptly.
Mr.. Brabaz0n WINGED.
said. II am e widower. You were ac- me-
quainted with my late wife?"
''Oh, no, not 1T all!'' said Miss Barony.
''Only, of course, all the world had heard
other. She was famous beauty, wasn't
she?'' -
"She was very lovely" said the
widower.
When Miss Barony was carried away
in newly-summoned gondola, whose
picturesque Oarsmen we're more to l.:
relied upon than their predecessors,
Mr.. Brabazon asked permission to cali
at the Consulate, to inquire how she was
in the course ofa da:' or two: and M;sa
Barony accorded the permission "a a
young queen might have done.
Miss BarOny WIS young, beautiful and
piquant; Mr.. Brabazon, whose life had
been nearly badgered out Of him by the
cssprices. exactions and varying temper
of the late Lady Helen, was charmed
by her sunny brillance; and at a
months end he came to Mr.. Baronv tho
United States Consul, to ask permission
to press his suit with his niece.
Mr.. Barony looked conscious.
Didn't you know?" said he. "She is
engaged"
Engaged" repeated Mr.. Brabazon.
his heart seeming to turn to lump OF
ice within him.
"Quite an old affair, I believe" said
the consul. But perhaps you had bet.
ter see my niece herself about it. IN
give her your message. She can decide
to suit herself"
Miss Barony was prettier than ever, in
her cool muslin dress and pale-bluc rib
hons, as she sat among the iassamines
and pomegranates of the consulate re-
ception room the next day to receive
Mr.. Brabazon. He had a speech care.
fully prepared, wherein all the nomina.
lives and subjects were carefully bal
anced, and the exact words stationed in
their exact places; but he forgot it ali at
the fair vision of her perfect lovelincss.
and could only stand helplessly before
her and say:
MISS barOny, love you"
$50 you have been driven to confess
it ut last" said Miss Barony, latter all
these years!'
"! don't understand you," said Mr..
Brabazon.
"You have forgotten me-" saidRosa.
THAT would be impossible" asscycr-
ated Mr.. Brabazon, earnestly.
But its the fact" said she. 81 am
little Rosa Dale, who was engaged to YOU.
under the chestnut trees at Amber Hill'
nearly nine years ago, and here is the
engaeement-ring," holding up a slen-
der golden hoop, with an opal xlimmer-
ing III its center. "No, Pm not at all
surprised that you didn't recognize
me. ! was child then-I am a
woman now. And after my parents
death, when Uncle Baronv
adopted me, took his name instead of
my own. But never have quite gotten
oyer the pang Of bitter jealousy that
pierced my baby-hsart when you were
married to Lady Helen Hartford"
"But dare l hope" began Mr.. Bra
bacon, "that you still care q little for
me? know it seems like presumption,
eyes. you may hope," WHISPERED
Rosa, half-laughiug, half:crying. ri do
care for you-more than little"
The consul gave them his blessing.
1T was she herself that told me to sav
she was engaged" said he, patting Rosa's
head: Little puss! she is always full of
II wanted to be rcvenged," said Rosa.
But l haye quite forgiven my false