New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-03-07

OF the girls, girls. girls, girls,
Girls, girls, girls
To the soaking and heart racking of the girls
HER ENGAGEMENT.
But do you really mean it, Mr.. Lii
ford?''
Maysel Mayton was standing in the
illuminated archway of the autumn
woods, her bright braids Of hair pierced
by one or two wandering 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
looking at her with lazy luxurious
sense Of artistic beauty entering into
his mind as he gazed.
"Of course mean it., said he.
But l am only twelve years old, {"
cried Maysel, finging back the sunny
tendrils of hair that hung over her fore
head.
you are exactly twelve times as
lovely as any of the city bellies that con-
gregate hereabouts," said Mr., Lilford,
striving to conceal yawn. s'And if
they think am engaged don't you
see?-there will be some probability of
their leaving off prosecuting me-
Well said Maysel, every dimple
coming shyly out on lip and cheek as
he stood there
cts 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.. Lilford,"
explained Maysel reproachfully. 'sDon't
you know there's always a ring in the
novels? and most generally it's dia-
mond.''
IF you'll believe me,' said Mr.. Lii
ford tragically, II never thought of the
ring. But here's little opal, that used
to be my mothers, hanging on my
watch-chain. Won't that do?''
Maysel held out her brown finger,
while he fitted it on.
"You-you haven't kissed me vet -
she said, when this ceremony was COM
plete. Lovers always kiss their fan-
ceesr'
Mr.. Lilford laughed.
"Come," said he, this is getting seri-
Gus. But here's the kiss before the rest
OF the chestnut party get here. And,
mind, this is to be a profound secret
between you and me. -
Maysel ran lack 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, pro-
claim himself an engaged man.
Nor is it an exaggeration to say that
the young ladies were genuinely disap-
pointed
cit must be recent thing" said
Kate Meek, tossing her head.
ooh, quite recent acknowledged
Mr.. Lilford.
"Love at first sightp" asked Miss
Stanley.
emo, not exactly said Lilford.
g In fact, may say that have admired
the young lady since her infancy
"What a delightful enigma!" said
Maud Claremont, looking anything but
delighted. ''But of course, Mr. Lii
ford, you'll tell us her name?''
II am pledged to secrecy" said the
engaged man solemnly.
And when he left, in the late au-
tumn, and forgot all about the wild
little woodland sprite who climbed
trees and pelted him with chestnuts,
waded with brown dimpled 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 dia-
mond-bright pebbles, how was he to
know that she remembered the episode
under the yellow-leaved chestnut-tree
as red-letter day in her calendar?
8 He ought to write to me, said May
sci gloomily, as the weeks and months
glided by, and no epistle came.
:" | do hope he isn't going to turn out
false, like the wicked cavaliers in story
books
And when Mr.. Lilford sent her huge
wax doll, with its complete outfit of ele-
gantly made dresses at Christmas, May
sci flew into passion.
GAS if were a baby!' said she. "a
doll, indeed, and I twelve years old in
March! I wonder if he takes me for
child? Whoever heard Of gentleman
sending doll to the young lady he was
engaged to?''
my dear Maysel,'' said her mother,
half-vexed, half amused, what nonsense
you are talking?'
>,s I'VE are engaged e, said Maysel.
And she shyly pulled it out from the
bosom of her dress.
cit was only joke" said Mrs.
Mayton.
'sIt was sober earnest flashed out
Maysel.
my DEAR" said Mrs. Mayton,
.'haven't you heard? Mr.. Lilford is to
be married to Miss Mary Huntington,
Mrs Hartley's niece, next month. The
cards are already out.
"What!'' cried Maysel, her blue
eyes blazing, her rosy lips apart. To
be married! and he engaged to metz
And she rushed away into her cham
Der and hid herself for full two hours,
to sob out the current of her childish
grief.
Mrs. Mayton smiled and sighed.
"Who would think the child would
have attached so much importance to
piece of nonsense like thatp' said she,
!" Really, I'm afraid I've made mis-
take in allowing her to read so many
novels. But she was always an impet-
uous little creature. .
It could not have been more than
eight years subsequently, that the COLI
sion occurred on the Grand Canal at
.Vnnicn IN whioh ono az Tho neondolaa