The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-04-20

or course Mr.. l.ilford sent out his
valet To offer his services.
OF course they carried Miss Delmar
in. and laid her on Il sofa. and made
much of her
-. But how ridiculous all this is" Said
Miss Delmar with merriment cleaning
in her beautiful dark blue ewes. II
am Il little wet. tn be sure, but other
wise am entirely unframed. Why
didn't they put me in the gondola again,
and send me back To my uncle's
| palaZZo?'
| Mr.. Lilford. however, was far too
hospitablc for that.
Miss Dclmar gaZcd curiously around.
| How angelically beautiful she looked,
wrapped in the violet velvet cloak
edged with crmine. her cheeks flushed
with softest rose, her eyes sparkling,
her hair hanging in Il fringe of gold
over her foi chcad.
where is Mrs. Lilford?" she asked
| abruptly.
Mr. Lilford WINGED.
She has been dead year, 'he said.
You were acquainted with my late
wifcp'
"Oh no. not ut all said Miss Del
mar. ''Only of course all the world
has heard of her. She was famous
beauty, wasn't shep'
"She was very lovely" said the wild
over.
When Miss Dclmar was carried away
in u newly summoned gondola, whose
picturesque oarSmen We're more to be
relied upon than their predecessors. Mr..
Lilford asked permission to call ut the
consulate, to enquire how she was. in
the course of Il day or two, and Miss
Delmar accorded the permission rs II
young queen might have done.
Miss Delmar was young. beautiful
and piquant.
Mr.. Lilford. whose life had been
nearly badgercd ont of him by the
capriceS. eXactions and varying temper
of his late wife, was charmed by her
sunny brilliance. and ut Il months end
he came To Mr. Demar. the United
States consul. To ask permission To press
his suit with his niece.
NJ. Delmar looked conscious.
Didn't YOU know" he said. "she
is "ngaged?"
:. Eng"i,"ir' repeated Mr.. Lilford,
his heart seeming To turn To ice within
him.
Quite IN old affair. | believe" said
Mr.. Delmar. But perhaps YOU had
better see my niece herself about it. I'll
give YOU her message. She can decide
To suit herself"
Miss Delmar was prettier than ever
in her cool muslin dress and pale-blue
ribbons rs she sat among the jasSamine
and pomegranatcs of the consulate re-
ceptionroom the next day To receive
Mr.. Lilford.
lie had II speech carefully prepared,
wherein all the nominatives and sub
icctives were carefully balanced. and the
exact words stationed in their exact
places; but he forgo! il all nj the fair
vision of her perfect lovciness, and
could only stand helplcsSly before her
and say:
Miss Delmar, love you!'
$50 You have been driven to confess
it at last" said Miss Dclmar, latter all
these years.
IL don't understand you.' said Mr.
Liford.
You nave forgotten me-" said May
sci.
THAT would be impossible" assev-
Grated Mr.. LilfOrd earnestly.
but it's the fact" said she. 81 am
Maysel Mayton, who was engaged to
you under the chestnut trees ut -,
nearly nine years ago, and here is the
engagement-ring. holding up slender
gold hoop. with IN opal glimmering in
its center.
mo. l am not at all surprised that
you didn't recognize me. was child
them am Il woman now. And after
my parents died, when Uncle Delmar
adopted me, ltook his name instead of
my own. But | have never quite for
gotten the pang of bitter jealousy that
pierced my baby heart when YOU were
married To Mary Huntington"
But dare | hope began Lilford.
'.that you still care u little for me?
know it seems like presumption, but
"Yes you may hope" whispered
Maysel, half-laughing, half-crying. II
do care for yOll--more than little"
The consul gave them his blessing.
''It was she herself who told me TO
say she was engaged" said he, patting
Maysel's head. Little puss! She is
always full of her mischief
~ wanted to be revenged," said
Maysel. but | have quite forgiven
my false lover at last