Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-05-10

"MAxwELL HERBERT"
"The enclosed token" was a little
silk Union flag, about three inches
long.
ii think this will do" said Miss
Kesne, glancing critically over the
note. ~But how are we to let her
know that we understand the signif.
canoe Of the little flag, and not betray
ourselves"
"That is easily arranged" answered
the ever-ready Roaa. FWe will write
| four duplicates to each other, each en-
closing a flag, and when she makes her
appearance in public with the patriot.
| ic, sentimental token conspicuously dis
played---hel hel-we will show ours and
compare notes, and then suddenly rec
ollect that i the Grst of April. Imag-
inc her chagrin and modification"
"But we must let the lovers inter
view CONS off first" amiably suggested
Miss Keane. Imagine the captains
| look OF wonder when he beholds her
J walk into his presence with her con-
scious, expectant look, and then-walk
out again. Of course he'll never know
anything about our little Joke"
| IL was, as the young ladies' well knew,
the habit of Ca, tain Herbert to pass an
hour or go of lazy longing after dinner
in the little room adjoining the ladies'
| parlor. No one WAS about then, and the
| tiny apartment was an attractive re-
treat, with its luxurious louDging. chairs,
| poisoning roses, and newspapers and
magazines strewn about.
On this particular evening Captain
Herbert might or might not be there.
They would be obliged to take their
chances.
At dinner Mrs. Chases hoarders
were, as usual, all punctually in their
places. -Four pairs of bright eyes Gu
riously sought out Miss Latane, and
then four glances met in an elCquence
more expressive than words. The bait
had taken, and the unsuspecting victim
was caught For there sat Eva, with
flushed cheek and long eyelashes droop-
ing, and the little flag pinned on her
dress in place of q bouquet.
Her seat was nearly opposite Captain
Herbert, yet she never raised her eyes
to him. She looked very pretty; per-
haps he thought SO, for he glanced at
her curiously more than once. He no
ticod the unique ornaments she wore,
and he thought. as others did, that it
was 8n odd taste.
As to Eva, SIC knew they were laugh.
ing ut her singular choice of decora-
ton; hut what did it matter when be
understood il? And oh, to her; how
much, unguessed by others, depended
upon the wearing Of that little Aagl
A few minutes chat in the parlor
after dinner, aud the gentlemen de.
parted to their business and the ladies
to their rooms.
Captain Herbert, having no business,
sauntered into the little reception-room
seated himself comfortably in the most
luxurious Of the cushioned arm chairs
and took up n new magazine. The
door opening into the hall stood half
open. He had not q suspicion that
just within the opposite door, acro,s
the hall, stood n pretty group of girls,
listning and watching for som ething
apparently.
A light step on the stair-a step that
grew fainter and slower as it approach
ed the door of the iittleroom where the
captain IDLY sat- faint stir Of silken
dress--a slsw opening of the door and
he looked up, to see a slight figure
standing there, doubtful, nesitating,
trembling, and with eyes fixed upon
him in mute appeal.
Captain Herbert arose, and stood for
one minute gazing in surprised inquiry
ct his unexpected visitor.
Then his whole face suddenly bright.
ened. He came eagerly forward and
held our both lis hands
Neither of them observed that the
door was opeE-that they could be
seen as well rs heard.
Eva, darling, have you come to say
that you forgive me at last?'
She looked up, with her soft, blue
eyes full OF tears.
at was my fault, Max. Win you for
give me?"
And then be took her in his arms,
and she hid her face on his shoulder,
and those in the opposite room instinc-
lively drew back and blankly stared at
each other.
Did you everw gasped Miss Pinkney.
well, declare" feebly murmured
Miss Letfinston
What can it meant" gasped Miss
Kesne.
at MEANS" said Lily Blanchard,
slowly--"it means that they've been
engaged before, and mad misunder-
standing, now happily made up. And
1t means, too, young ladies, that we've
made April fools of ourselves--thsts
all"
And she deliberately lighted her
duplicate at the gss-jet and walked
off.
We'll, l am not so much surprised,
after sll, y ssid Miss Keane, philosoph-
ically, 'ior l always said she was ely
one. "
And if either Eva or Captain Herb
ert suspected the authorship of that
note, they overlooked it in considers-
ton OF the happiness it had unin;en-
| uonally secured them.
--~~-s--~
What Woman Can Do.
Mrs. Nelson, wife of a Danish farm
er manages the dairy en- her own &C.