Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-06-25
A NARROW ESCAPE.

A NARROW ESCAPE.
BY GEORGE W. sYMoNDs. ... .
(Which is it to be, Madelon-the blue.
eyed Herbert or the dark-ey Alfred :
Which is to be, fair coz?"
Beatrice Schobert asked the question
in her customary languid voice; but hel
gray eyes shone with more than ordin.
airy interest as she raised herself from
the fauteuil on which she had been re.
Ginning and faced her pretty cousin
Madelon Berg.
Il do not know" answered Madelon
lifting her liquid blue eyes to he,
Cousins face. "Sometimes I think ]
like one best, and again I prefer the
other"
what is that old adage? 4 could
love either were the t'other dear charm.
or away That applies to our sex, but
it will fit in this ease. Is there no ia.
vored one?"
"Again I say, No! Both gentlemen
have asked the privilege of making me
happy for life, and to both I have given
the same answer"
you are to be envied," said Beatrice,
rising, and shaking out the folds of hel
dress. 'Not yet eighteen, and with two
lovers, both ardent and impassioned,
and each equally clamorous for, your
hand. 1 am sure you have more tact
than l gave you credit for in being able
to keep them both at bay"
1T required no TACT" said Madelon.
1 told them both that I must first con-
suit my grandfather, and both were
willing to leave their claims to his de-
cision. respect and admire Mr.. Her.
bert Darnell, and 7 have an equally
good opinion of Mr.. Alfred Costa. I
believe either of them would make q
woman happy"
II never had lover" said Beatrice,
musingly, and with something of regret
in her tone; shut if two men asked me
to marry them, I should not waste much
time in deciding between them. I havo
no wish to make martyr of myself on
the altar of single blessedness."
Your disposition is totally unlike
mine" said Madelon, as Beatrice swept
from the room. Besides, promised
Grandpa Berg that I would allow him
to decide the momentous question for
me if it ever arose."
"How preposterousp said Beatrice,
on the threshold, and she closed the
door.
The two girls were orphans, and pros
pective heirs.
Grandfather Berg, whose great watch
factory in Be1ne, Switzerland, is one OF
the wonders of that quaint city, had
declared his intention of making these
two girls, his nearest living relatives
heirs to his handsome fortune.
Their parents had died when they
were young, and Grandfather Berg had
taken care of them ever since.
They had been educated at fash
ionable academy at Jena, Germany, and
| after the completion of their education
had spent q season of travel on the
continent under the chaperonage oil
Nine. Jumel, who had been Grand
father Berg's housekeeper for many
years.
In Paris, at ball given by a prom
inent American, they had met Her.
bert Darneu and Alfred Costa.
Both gentlemen were we'll recon-
mended, and both speedily laid court
to the younger of the cousins, blue
eyed. Maggie Berg, whose beauty was
of that soft German type so common
in the fatherland, and which had VOL
for her warm place in the heart o.
the old Swiss German grandfather.
"Some day, pretty Madelon," he hac
said to her, "you will marry and leave
the old grandfather. Make no de
cision without consulting me. for
want to see you happily settled, and
marriage, once entered upon, is ire
vocable."
Madelon had promised, therefore
to be guided by his cooler and ripe
judgment in selecting life partner.
When the two lovers followed he
to her Western home, from whose
windows she could overlook the
waters of the broad Ohio, and eacl
selecting a favorite opportunity hat
told the story of their love, and begged
her to make them happy, she had tolt
them frankly of her promise to Grand
father Berg, and both had left he
equally disappointed and equally con
fdent of ultimately winning her hand
Grandfather Berg was in New Yorl
attending to some business in connec
ton with his American trade, but h,
had telegraphed them he would reacl
Willow Grove, the pretty villa in which
they lived, that night, and after Be
atrice had left for her afternoon horse
back ride Madelon had the pony pha
eton brought around to the door.
just as the great red sun, sinking be
meath the horizon, bathed the bosom O
the river in it's golden light, she steppe,
into the tiny wicker carriage, and seiz
ing the reins, the spirited ponie
dashed down the broad gravel roadway
and covered the distance between vii
low Grove and the railway station in
very few minutes.
Grandfather Berg was on the train
and he greeted his pretty grandchil,
afectionately.
II received your letter." he said, a
he took seat beside her in the rhae
ton, @and am so glad you remembere,
your promise to me. You forgot, how
ever, to mention the names of the tw,
knights who desire to make my ittl
cir! their LADY, No.
slow stupid Of mel" said Madelon
whipping up the ponies; and then sh
blushed. We met them both in Pari
asst winter. They came to us hiRhl,
recommended. Mr.. Herbert Darnell i
one, and Mr.. Alfred Costa the other.
| At mention Of the names the old maj
started, and his keen eyes were bent o.
| his grand daughters face.
4Now, tell me frankly, little gir]
which is the favorite," he said.
aIhave tried to decide" she answered
abut I cannot. They are totally unlik
in temperament, but both .are YER
pleasant gentlemen"
/ sAhal' unused the rich watchmake,
Il think we can decide the matter be
tween us. When are they to cal