Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-05-07

Then she ratified on in the widest
strain until she saw Lawrence's eyes
severely fixed upon her. When she re-
laxed her hold on Fitzhugh's arm, as
Judge Blackwell addressed her, the re-
leased gallant slipped quietly away to
the refreshment room to recover from
his bewilderment. The Judge led Elise
to seat, and while he was talking to
her OF interesting lawsuits she was look
ing at Lawrence, who had at last quietly
left tho window and was again dancing
with Miss Williams.
When the dance was over he walked
through the rooms with the lady on bis
arm. It suddenly occurred to Elise
that she had heard that Miss Williams
was rather disposed to like Lawrence.
There was something very marked in the
way she talked and listened to him, and
then she was SO very handsome! o why
did Lawrence prize beauty SO much?
When they had disappeared, Elise,
this time leaning on the Judges arm,
promenaded through the rooms. In the
library oriel window Lawrence was sit
ting with Miss Williams beside him
The twain were in. close conversation.
Elise grew very angry.
The Judge left her at an early hour to
go home. She had not seen her broth
or the whole evening. Lawrence had
disappeared, and Elise felt sure he was
still flirting with pretty Miss Williams.
At length Elise encountered Mortimer
Wilmot, an old friend of her father,
forty-tive, rich and fine looking. At ons
time he had been supposed to have
Partially for her. That evening he spoke
of the WEAKNESS of the life he was lead
ing, and Elsie answered him mechani-
cally. Neither Lawrence nor his part
ner had reappeared in the ball room.
Once more Elise asked to be taken to the
library, as the air in the ball room was
too oppressive. There in the same cor
ner, were Lawrence and Miss Williams.
Elise saw the former draw the curtain to
hide them as she passed. It was like
quick and sharp knife thrust through
her heart.
Mr.. Wilmot drew Elise away to q
sofa in deserted part of the room, and,
after a few moments silence, said:
''This is, perhaps, neither the time nor
J the place, Miss Elise, to tell you that I
love you and have long wanted to make
you my wife. Do you think you could
love me we'll enough to marry me?"
Without an instant's hesitation Elise
anewered: eyes"
my dear girl" said Mr.. Wilmot, 81
am not young, and have very little ro-
nance i'll my character. 1 can not take
your answer so quickly given. do not
wish you to hazardyour happiness With.
ont ample consideration; take a month
to think of my proposal and then give
me reply"
Elise looked quickly up; it was the
first time she realized what he had been
saying, and now he had left her, Was
she then engaged to this man?
Elise was sitting alone, utterly con-
founded, when she was startled by see-
ing Miss Williams approach her, saving
''Elise, dear, 1 have something 10 tell
you'll"
Elise thought she had come to inform
her that Lawrence had offered himself
to her and triumph over her agony-for
this girl knew of their former attach
ment to each other-so she put on her
liveliest and kindest manner, and said:
"Well, dear Helen, have you enjoyed
the bali?"
''Very much indeed. Has Mr.. VIII
mot been amusing?"
The startling avowal Mr.. Wilmot had
made had again passed out of the girls
mind. At the mention of his name she
blushed scarlet.
"Why," said Heller, laughing, Zone
would suppose he had been making love
to you! Elise, dear, don't look so CROSS.
l have message from beloved friend
Will you come with me and receive it?'
eyes," answered Elise, calmly.
Once again Elise was conducted to the
oriel window. The curtain was drawn.
Helen parted it little way, and moved
as if to enter. Elise followed. she
stepped aside, closed the curtain and
withdrew. A pair of manly arms re-
ceived her in warm embrace. "Dear
love-" said Lawrence, "by thinking me
guilty of preferring another, you have
made us both miserable. Believe me.
no one ever held place in my heart but
you! You have already told me am
dear to you. Let us have no more mis-
understandings. Make me the happiest
man on earth by marrying me-
Elise uttered not a word, but her man.
ner told Lawrence plainly enough that
he was accepted. The next day in the
midst of her happiness Elise suddenly
remembered the reply she had made to
MI. Wilmots proposal. She was wiring.
ing her hands and crying out what a
miserable girl she was when a note was
handed her which read as follows:
''Mr. Wilmot presents his compliments
to Miss Elise Danforth. Having un-
avoidably heard part of certain con.
versation in the oriel window at Mrs.
Campbelps, he begs to withdraw the in
quiry he made last night. He hopes t.
be allowed to tender his best wishes fol
Miss Elise's happiness. "-Philadelph5o
Call.