Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-29
FORTUNE HUNTING.


Eyes, Mrs. Townsend.
Francesca We're looked up little de-
family into the quiet, elderly face Of
the lady who sat opposite her. just
nineteen, with soft hair, touched with
sunny gold; eyes of the deepest blue,
and a fair, oval face, bright with the
velvety bloom of early youth, she was
the very incarnation and embodiment
of happy maidenhood, as she stood
leaning against the window, her dress
of blue cashmere sweeping the velvet
carpet and mist-like shawl of white
Shetland wool dropping from her Shout
ders. An orphan and an heiress, en-
dowed, moreover, with the rare gift Of
beauty, it is not strange if Francesca
was little spoiled, yet something very
sweet and winning in her very willful-
ness.
"And to Fiske EgertonP" went on
Mrs. Townsend, gravely.
Eyes, to Fiske Egerton," Francesca
answered, playing 4 little nervously
with the fringe of her shawl, while a
deeper color crept into her check.
MY dear, you are doing very SER
ious thingn'
Yes, ma'am, | know it; but it's
way girls have of getting engaged and
married. Francesca said, with an arch
glance at her mentor.
Francesca, you mustn't Jest about
this matter, said Mrs. Townsend, ear
ncstly. II am your mothers earliest
friend, and, as such, | feel it ut once
duty and . privilege to counsel you at
this most important stage of your life.
Tell me about this fiance of yours.
HE is very handsome, very stylish,
very agreeable" said Francesca,
eagerly.
lis he richP"
"No; but, pardon me, | know what
you would say. He is no fortune-hun-
ter; he loves me for myself alone!''
She had flushed crimson as she spoke.
Il hope you are right, my love, said
Mrs. Townsend; but, to tell you the
truth, | have heard less favorable ac-
counts of this young man.
Then YOU have listened to the false
charges Of some envious enemy" in
terrupted Francesca, with sparkling
eyes; 'please do not repeat them to
me. / could not bear them calmly,
even from you, dear Mrs. Townsend,
knowing. rs | do, their utter untruth"
And good Mrs. Townsend took her
leave, bordering rather sadly to her
self upon the impossibility Of putting
old heads upon young shoulders, while
Francesca sat down in the shadows OF
the satin window curtains TO dream OF
the bright future before her, and to as
sure herself, over and over again, of
her blessedncss in being the recipient
of Fske Egerton's love.
Meanwhile the last engagement up
on the tapis of fashionable life was be-
ing discussed in the reading room Of 4
popular Filth avenue club.
''Egerlon engaged to marry Miss
Vere Nonsense-there's not q word
of truth IN ~ exclaimed Harry Nor
ton, Indignantly, rs the floating on dit
reached his ears.
But tell you it is true, for l my
self saw the engagement diamond on
ter finger, and Fiskc told me so!'
Then all / have to say is that he is
q great scamp!
Il don't doubt the fact at all, "
laughed the companion; 'but, never
theless, he has made 4 good thing out
of it this season. Francesca is the
richest girl out. and pretty one in the
bargainn'
AS Harry Morton stood gazing out OF
the club window ut the gayly-dressed
throng of pedestrians that flowed to
and fro, like contending currents on
the pavements below, his thoughts
were far away, beneath the rose-gar-
landed caves Of an old farmhouse, in
the golden glow of the summer that
was gone. where dark-eyed girl was
watching the windings of the road with
feverish Impotence, watching for tlske
Egerton's coming presence, while ne.
the true lover OF years, the earnest,
deep hearted sutton, was utterly sighted
and forgotten.
Can he have broken with my cousin
Elfrida?n he thought; land so soon'
l will 90 down to Willow Hill and dis
cover for myself
The western windows of the old
farmhouse at Willow Hill were all
ablaze with the dying glow of the chill
winter sunset when Harry Morton ar
rived at his uucle's house. Elfrida
was sitting by the freside, her face
paler than of old, and an expression
almost akin to despair in the melting
black eyes, whose beauty gave u dark
Spanish beauty to her whole face.
"Elfrida.' he said, embracing the
first opportunity of being alone with
her. when have you heard from Eyer
tonP'
Not in some time. | suppose he IS
very busy! .,
Very, indeed, I have no doubt.
Norton lips curled ironically. 80
your engagement is broken of.
Broken off Never!'
Elfrida's flushed cheek grew pale IS
ashes.
You don't mean to say that he IS
still your plighted loyer?"
Certainly he is!''
MY poor EIfrida, do you not know
that he is engaged to marry the richest
heiress Of the season in New York!
Il do not believe i'll Oh, harry,
Harry, beware how you deceive me-
walled Elfrida; "it is not true--lt never
can be true.
IN 800 ,,,,,,o,,t riunr snar{- les uDOn