The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-04-10

poor. So ready are we all To take to
ourselves fancied sights upon our dig
nifty.
He had engaged himself for the next
dance to Lettie, and meanwhile busted
himself with looking on. His state of
mind was moody and discontinued.
"The way of the world" he unused.
ITO witness-an heiress and her less
wealthy friend. Naturally the heiress
is the less attractive of the two. And
ostentatious besides-such a choice of
dress for a quiet school-girl-looking de-
butante. That splendid girl, Miss Phil
imore, would have looked like a Queen
in it."
Thus poor JEANNE Carson was de-
MED the appreciation that her sweet lit
tie face and innocent manner shonld
have won for her.
Lettie danced well and knew also
how to talk to her partners; she noticed
! that JEANNE was not so well provided
for as she might have wished, and in
consequence took the opportunity af-
forded by the end of the dance to make
her known to Philip Twyford.
They had a pleasant dance together,
but Philip was prejudiced. He was
Gel GdlulJ DCSiuu1uS W DO ScuSlG1Nc O1
the subjecto of his poverty and too proud
to- dance much with a moneyed lady.
Lettie charmed him and he felt safe
with her, having made up his mind that
she was Miss Carson's companion.
Though such a companion surely no
man ever saw!
1t was q beautiful vision that haunted
the poor Lieutenant for the remainder
of his sleeping hours that night. A fair
smiling face and p~rofusion of blond hair;
rosy red lips and large blue eyes.
He decided many times that it would
only be common courtesy to 60 and call
the next day and enquire after the Ia
dies. True, it was a fashion long out of
date, but a charming n nevertheless.
1t would be a sad century to live in
when all such little acts of kindness
would be despised. The call of enqui-
ries that afternoon, which ended in tea
and delightful chat, was only the fore
runner of many more. Philip could
sing; Lettie could play; Philip was in
want of an accompanist; Lettie loved
nothing better than accompanying. 1t
was an ordinary states of affairs enough,
but productive of infinite pleasure.
The old Squire sat and looked on ap-
provingly, or victimized JEANNE to the
extent of a game of backgammon.
Philip was too much fascinated to seri-
ously wonder at his uncle's complais-
ance during his evident neglect OF the
supposed heiress. He would occasion
ally relent in his behavior toward jean
ME: bring her a book to read or some
flowers. . But the experiment never
really answered, and he soon found
himself again beside Lettie. Once he
felt sure that he heard the old man
laughingly mutter something that
sounded suspiciously like ''deep game"
and that vas on an occasion when he
had been trying his best to appear in
terested in JEANNE.
At last intimation arrived that his ex-
change was affected. He was to join
the other battalion of his regiment the
following month. He had but a short
time longer in England, but meant to
spend it all at Woodbridge. TWAS fool
ish, he knew, allowing himself to be.
come more and more infatuated with
Miss ~Phillimore, but at the same time
it was irresistible. Compulsory ban.
ishment from England was a prospect
dismal enough to contemplate; but vol
untary Punishment from Lettie while
in England, too much to expect of a
susceptible young officer.
"Come, boy," said the old Squire,
the evening before Philips departure,
"you mustn't be off into the drawing.
room yet. You haven't done justice to
my old port for ever so long. The
ladies are attractive, 1 know, but an old
man mustnot be neglected; especially an
old one who wishes you 80 well. Philip
he continued, after he had filled his
glass with the rare old vintage, and
shifted the aroma, and surveyed the
bees wing with the eye of the good old
connoisseur that he was. :'Philip,
say, l had no idea that my light word:
with respect to the heiress would have
taken such firm root, and given the star
to a wooing so evidently successful"
Philip looked down and fidgeted witt
his wine glass.
Speak on, sir,' he said. Il do no
know that there has been anything 81
evident that would warrant you coup
ling my name with that of Miss Carson
"Of Miss Carson!" chuckled the ole
man, mo, l should think not, indeed
And just as well for you, my friend
that there is not" The Squire shool
his fist playfully at Philip a he spoke
The young man blushed.
81 am quite aware that it would have
been the height of imperfinence in me-
he said, ''to have to have"
"Made love-" prompted the Squire
"To Miss Carson" continued Philip
"But, in spite of her enormous forum,
and the immense convenience that i
would be to me, I must confess, sir
that not for one moment have l waveret
in my allegiance to Miss Phillimore
My intense admiration for that lady ha
dated from the night of the hunt ball
and has been on the increase ever since.
} The Squire shook himself about wit
violent laughter, and his jolly roun
face formed a marked contrast to Phil
ip's woe-begone countenance. Th
young man was somewhat nettled a
his uncle's uncalled for hilarity..
SIT seems no laughing matter to mt
; sir, he said, proudly, ''though it woul'
appear to amuse you vastly. l fail t
perceive the Joke in my falling in low
with a penniless girl, and being to
poor to ask her to marry me-"
.Penniless!' roared the Squire, "an
who said Letitia was penniless?"
Philip could not say that any one ha
exactly committed themselves to tn
statement; but it had been very appal
ent from many things the ladies them
' selves had said and done. And in thi
he was right.
. For it must be confessed that Lettie
Il having accidentally discovered the mis-
, take he was under, had insisted o
! JEANNE helping her to keep up the de
9 ception. The old Squire had notice
, nothing; but it was not lost on the keer
4 sighted lover that JEANNE wore beaut
! : full jewelry in the evening and Lett
= the quietest of ornaments.
. The Squirrels mirth and Philips il
e e dignation waxed apace. Had his uncI
= not been an old man. and one to whol
y he owed much, Philip felt that he nlu:
. have knocked him down. He new
. falt CO ro11ad in hiS life