The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-11-14
HER LAST ENGAGEMENT.

edly:
II love you, Ilovey ou-that is what
you men are constantly saying. How
am / to know. Dick Stratton, If it is
myself you care for, or the salary that
FREELY and | can earn? | wished to
goodness / had just remained Dolly
Brown instead OF becoming the cele-
brated equestrienne, Mile. Brownetti.
Then | would have stood chance,
perhaps, OF being loved for myself"
Ignoring thereproachfulglan OF her
companions eye, she added hastily:
"Now, there's Mason. He swears
that he adores rle, and yet if | should
break my leg tonight, / wonder if
there'd beOnefaithful among my many
admirers"
Then smiling archly, she continued
mischevously:
"DO you think it would be worth my
while to sacrifice a limb ?"
ODDLY, you know
Holding up a pretty dimpled hand,
Miss Dolly, with a coquettish pout,
stayed the words upon his lips, then
shaking her head and assuming a dole
full look, she reiOined:
But they all say that"
\ saucy ripping laugh escaped her
pretty lips, as, after making him a
most piquant little curtsy, she tripped
gracefully toward the ring entrance,
whilst Dick Stratton, biting his neither
lip, exclaimed sayagely:
.An artful littlecoquette! III cease
to love her from this moment"
Which resolve he Immediately set in
force by hurrying to see that every
thing was rs it should be about the
t-appings OF Dolly pretty mare, Fire
fly.
The applause was deafening as Mile
Brownett executed one daring feat aft
er another upon her bare-backed
steed.
Once or twice the little lady's eyes
rested rather anXlously upon Dick
StrattOn' 5 handsome face, and she was
decidedly piqued at his apparent
neglect for not once during the pauses
between her acts did he approach her.
Not that she lacked for attention, a
bevy OF her admirers being on duty in
the ring, but the fair equestrienne APP
peared not to be her usual amiable
self this evening, for her devoted fol
Mile. BrOwnetti was Just about to
do the finish by placing her foot upon
the mares neck, when she lost her
balance and fell, striking heavily
against the ring curb.
Perhaps if she had seen how Dick
Sratton hurried to her assistance,
pushing the others aside as he, tender
w raising her in his arms, bore her
from the ring, she would have had
more faith in one mans love.
The morning papers discussed at
length the accident to the popular
equestrienne, one OF them graphically
setting forth the dangerous risks of a
circus rider. and concluding with:
We regret sincerely theunfortunate
accident to our fair equestrienne. As
far as we can learn, although the lady
may live for years, never again will
she delight an audience with her dar-
ing and graceful performance"
Notes OF coincidence, flowers, etc,
poured in upon the stricken eques-
rrienne, and the first day she was able
to receive, many were the calls she
had.
She laughed softly to herself as one
by one her admirers bowed themselves
out How quickly their ardor had
cooled so sorry, etc, but not one
had said to her-now she was disabled
from earning her living. "Will you
give me the right to work or you ?
VIII you be my wife?
With half-eXpectant, half-wistful
look, she glanced attheclock upon the
mantel, as with a smile, followed
rather quickly by a sigh, she ejacu,
lated:
II wonder if he will fail ME, too ?"
Then with a comical little twinkle
shining in her eyes, she added: III ht
should, and he my last chance
Uncommonly pretty did Nile. Brown
etti look, despite her serious accident
as she lay propped up by soft pillows
on wide lounge, the color oming and
gong IN her fair cheeks as she listened
for certain step. But when theOwn
er OF that step entered the room, il
was a very sedate greeting he received
Raising her hand TO his lips, he ex
claimed, passiOnatelv.
ITO think OF this my darling"
YES, it 5 dreadful, isn't it," an
swered she, softly patting the hand
he had kissed. while again the com
lc9l twinkle shone IN her eyes, but il
died slowly out, and a sweet shynes,
stole in its place beneath the lowered
hds, as Dick, his voice hOarse with
emotion, said
when YOU We're well and stron.
You drove the love | offered You bach
upon me. doubling its truth. 7 tried
TO kill the love YOU despised. but /,
lived IN spite Of me, and so once NOR,
bring IL to you. My darling. try rC
love me "a little-be my wife. Civ,
me the right 10 protect and shield
YOU
Dick, do You really mean It2 Dc
You want me Just the same without
angles And Dolly was act
ually laughing, while the tears cIun,
to her dark lashes
Dolly, YOU love ME s. little" anC
Dick, gaming courage, passed his arm
about the young glri's shoulders.
As she did not rebuke him she did
not probably notice it.
We'll, Just a little" was the de
mure reply, followed by. Wont vOr
look funny wheeling ME about in on,
OF those chairs, Not that I hay,
made up my mind to accept YOU
You see, 1t would Toe such a dreadful
sacrifice On rour part"
Pressing her tenderly TO him, he
whispered:
Sacrifice, Dolly, when I love YOU
better than my lille"
Then his lips touched gently those
near his own, as he murmured.