Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-08-23
The Sturp Teller.
TWICE ENGAGED.

ssBut do you really mean it, Mr.. Braba-
zon?"
Rosa Dale was standing in the illumina-
ted 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
yeined autumn leaves, while her apron was
full of the glistening brown chestnuts which
she had picked up,
John Brabazon leaned against the tall
smooth trunk of the birch tree, and looked
at her, with lazy luxurious sense of artis-
tic beauty entering his mind as he gazed.
ssOf course mean it," said he.
"But I am only twelve years DID," cried
Rosa, finging back the sunny tendrils OF
hair that hung over her forehead.
"You are exactly twelve times as lovely
as any of the city bellies that congregate
hereabouts," said Mr.. Brabazon, striving to
conceal a yaWn.
Sand if they think I am engaged-don't
YOU see?-there will be some probability of
their leaving offpersecuting me-"
ssWelln, said Rosa, every dimple COM
ing shyly out on lip and cheek as she stood
there.
It's to be a compact, eh?" said Mr.. Bra
bacon. .
Rosa nodded her fair little head.
"But," she questioned, rather obviously,
'twhere is the ring?" IL
''The what?" .' ....
"The engagement ring, Mr.. Brabazon," I"
explained Rosa, reproachfully. g.
VOL, know there's ALWAYS ring
in nnovels? ...'.. ." ....t
"And most generally it's dimond."
eff you'll believe, said Mr.. Brabazon
tragically, II never thought of the ring
at ALL" ...
ssBut here's little opal that used to be
my mothers, hanging on my watch chain.
Won't that do 2"
Rosa held her brown finger, while he
fitted it on.
"You-you haven't kissed me yet"' she
said, when this ceremony was complete
'Lovers always kiss their sweethearts."
Mr.. Brabazon laughed.
sCome," said he, "this is getting serious"
''But here's the kiss, before the rest OF the
chestnut party get back"
"And mind, this is to be q profound Sc
cret between you and me-"
Rose ran back home with a vague senSa-
ton of mysterious delight, and thought
how nice Mr. Brabazon looked, all the time
she was munching her roasted chestnuts; and
Mr. Brabazon himself took advantage OF
the little joke to proclaim himself an en-
gagged man.
Nor it is an eXaggeratiOn to say that the
young ladies were genuinely disappointed.
''It must be a recent thing" said Kate
Kennedy, tossing her head.
"Oh, quite recent" acknowledged Mr.
Brabazon.
''Love at first sight," asked Miss Day.
''N-no, not exactly" said Brabazon.
'In fact, / may say that have admired
the young lady since her infancy"
"What a delightful enigma?' said Belle
Vernon, looking anything but delighted.
'But of course, Mr.. Brabazon you will tell
us her name %
81 am pledged to secrecy" said the en-
gagged man, solemnly.
And when he left in late autumn, 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 tor
rent, and conducted him SO mysteriously to
the barn chamber to show him her empty
birds nests, butterfly wings and diamond
bright pebbles, how was he to know that
she rendered the episode under the yellow
leaved chestnut trees as q red-letter in her
calendar?
"He ought to write to me-" said Rosa
glOomily, as the weeks and months glided
by and no epistle came.
'"I do hope he isn't going to turn out
false, like the wicked cavaliers in the story
books"
And when Mr.. Brabazon sent her huge
wax doll, with its miniature trunk and
complet outfit of elegantly made dresses at
Christmas, Rosa flew into passion.
GAS if were baby" said she.
ga doll indeed, and I twelve years old
in October.
81 wonder if he takes me for a child ?"
"Who ever heard of gentleman sending
doll to the young lady he is engaged to %
'My dear Rosa" said her mother hall
vexed, half amused, 'what nonsense you
are talking"
ave are engaged" said Rosa.
''See the ring"
And she shyly pulled it 6nt from the
bosom of her dress.
at was only a joke" said Mrs: Dale:
''It was sober earnestn' flashed out Rosa
"My DEAR" said Mrs. Dale, "haven't yor
heard?"
"Mr. Brabazon is to be married to Lady
Helen Hartford, Mrs. Pailleton's niece, mex
month.
"The cards are already out"
"WhatI" cried Rosa, her sapphire blue
eyes blazing, her rosy lips apart.
n no tod h<n fn mo