Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-04-05
HER ENGAtEMEN

"But you really don't mean it, Mr..
Lilford?'
Maysel Mayton WAS standing in the
illuminated archway of the autumn
woods, her bright braids of hair pierced
by one or two wandering sun beams,
her dimpled child face framed in, as it
were, by sprays Of red-veined autumn
leaves, while her apron was full of the
glstening brown chestnuts which she
had picked up.
Harry Llford leaned against the tall,
smooth trunk of the birch tree, and
looking at her with lazy artistic
beauty entering into his mind as he
gazed.
"Of course | mean it," said he.
But l am only twelve years old"
cried Maysel, hlnging back the tendrils
of hair that hung over forehead.
"You are exactly twelve times as
lovely as any of the city bellies that
cougregate hereabouts,' said Mr.. Lii
ford, striving to conceal yawn. "And
if they think | am engaget-don't you
seeY-there will be some probability of
their leaving off prosecuting me-"
"Well," said Maysel, every dimple
coming out shyly on lip and cheek as
she stood there.
OTIS to be a compact-eh ?" said
Mr.. Lilford.
Maysel nodded her fair little head.
But" she questioned, rather dubi-
ously. "wheGe ID the ring"
"The-what?"
"The engagement ring, Mr.. Llford, +"
explained Miss Maysel, reproachfully.
Don't you know that there's always a
it's diamond"
"If you'll believe me-" said Mr.. Lii
ford, tragically, II never thought OF
the ring. But here's n little opal that
used to be my mothers. Won't that
do?'
Maysel held out her brown finger,
while he fiued it on.
"You-you haven't kissed me, yeti"
she said, when this ceremony WAS COM
pleted. Lovers always kiss their fan
ceesW
Mr.. Lilford laughed
Come said he, "this is getting Sc
reel of the chestnut party get here. And
mind, this Is to be profound secret
between you and me"
Maysel ran back home with a vague
sensation of mysterious delight, and
thought how nice Mr.. Lllford 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 il an exaggeration to say
that the young ladies were genuinely
disappointed.
at must he recent thing" said
Kate Meek, tossing her head.
"OA. quite recent" acknowledged
Nj. LlltOrd.
Love at first sight?7 asked Miss
Stanley.
"N-ao, not exactly" said Lilford. In
fact, | may say that | have admired
the young lady since her infancy"
"Whst delightful enigmal' said
Maud Claremout, looking anything but
delighted. But, of course, Mr. Lllford
you'll tell Us her name 2'
Il am pledged TO secrecy" said the
engaged man, solemnly.
And when he left-in the late
autumn, and forgot all about the little
woodland sprite who climbed trees and
pelted him with chesmuts, waded with
brown, dimpled feet in the foamy
waters Of the glen torrent, and con
Quoted him so mysteriously to the
barnchamber to show him her empty
birds nests, butterfly wings, and dia-
mond bright pebbles, how was he to
know that she rem embered the episode
under he yellow leaved chestnut tree
as 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.
Z" i do hope he isn't going to turn ont
false, like the wicked cavaliers in story
hooks"
And when Mr.. Lilf5rd sent her a
huge wax doll, with its complete outfit
Of elegantly made dresses at Christ
mas, Maysel flew into passion.