The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-20
RALPB'S MISTAKE.

What pity !" said Mrs. Duisen
bury's musical voice, and a fain
shrug of the widows graceful shoul
ders conveyed the impression of al
underlying sneer.
"What is that?" Ralph Entreso
asked, following his companion
glance to a little alcove on the oppo
site side of the brilliant parlor, il
which stood some very handsom,
Towering plants in full bloom. A
piquant, girlish face was bending
over the central vase, face spark
ling with fire and color that rivaleo
its surroundings. Ralph Entreso
was not insensible to the anuremenI
of the picture.
The widow saw, and shrugged
her shoulders again.
"Such a pity that Nora Payne
should have broken with Burt Van
SAINT. Everybody thought that was
going to be genuine love-match
but | don't suppose there are such
things nowadays"
MOP" questioned the wealthy
lawyer in his non-committal fashion
still watching Nora with interested
eyes.
"Vansant & Milligan failed last
week, you know. Miss Nora, doubt
less, thinks she can find better
market for her charms than bank
rupt merchant"
Perhaps they were never en-
gagged" Entresol remarked, dreami-
ly.
Possibly. Idon't see that it
makes much difference, however.
They were always together the
most devoted pair in the world, till
very recently. 1t was not Vansant's
fault if they were not engaged, and
the rupture now is certainly her do
ing. See, Mr.. Entresol?"
Mr.. Entresol did see he had
never once removed his admiring
eyes from Nora Payne's sparkling
face. Burt Vansant stood now at
the entrance to the alcove, and Nora
was speaking with him, apparently
in reply to some remonstrance or
urging on the young mans part, for
she shook her graceful little head
emphatically, and frowned slightly.
Burt turned away presently, and
sauntered down the room, his hand
some face wearing an expression of
angry pain, while Nora looked after
him a moment, still trowning.
Her glance, in its way home again
encountered the lawyers. She col
ored vividly an Instant then laughed
and nodded.
"She bats her hook very prettily.
Go at once, and be caught" laughed
Mrs. Dusenbury but she bit her
carmine lips with vexation as the
lawyer, nothing 10th, smilingly ex-
cused himself and crossed over to
pretty Nora.
She's an outrageous illrt, and
that is what she is" muttered Mrs.
Dusenbury from time to time, as the
evening wore on without returning
to the circle of her charms Ralph
Entresol. Hes an idiot, though,
| if he marries her after what / told
him."
And still the lawyer fingered and
watched, in sort of intoxication,
the changeful ripple of Nora Payne's
bright, expressive face, and bent his
grave, thoughtful eyes to the study
of those other darkly sparkling orbs
which Nora flashed in shy mischiev
business at him.
Come and see us, Mr.. Entresol," !"
Nora's papa said. as he claimed his
little girl from the lawyers arm later
in the evening, when the party was
breaking up.
Yes, do. and I'll show you nay
cactnses. They are altogether finer
than those We were looking al this
evening" Nora echoed, letting lit
tie velvet palm linger an instant
longer than was necessary in Ralph
Entresol's hand at parting.
= L suppose | am bewitched," the
lawyer unused that night, as he
lounged in easy chair and slippers.
AT my time of life, too. But I'd
like to know if it isn't enough 10 be-
witch any man, the idea of basking
ones lifetime in thesparkle and glow
of such a pair Of eyes as that.
Heigho."
And in due time he went to see
Miss Nora's cactuses.
He lookad across at her, standing
among the geraniums and cactus
buds, herself fresher and more
blooming than any of them. Cupid
trans6xed the lawyers heart in that
moment, and, rash as your cautious
people are upon occasion, he asked
Nora that evening to marry him,
as they were looking at her flow
ers.
And Nora stammered and blushed
and pretended to be very much
astonished, as doubtless she was and
said
Yes.,."
q 1t was a surprise, papa" Nora
said. in response to her fathers Gu
riously triumphant congratulations.
Il hoped something of the sort
when I asked him here. But it
has come sooner than l looked fol"
Mr.. Payne said, with a signing
breath that made Nora look at him
wonderingly.
"At least you are provided for
now" he added.
Nh. . or