The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-11-05
HER LAST ENGAGEMENT.

HER LAST ENGAGEMENT.
Mdlle. Browretti's gold-mounted
riding-whip executed series of sharp
little taps against her bespangled gauzc
skirts, as she calculated rather ex-
citedly:
al love you. 1 love you-that is
what you men arc constantly saying.
How am l to know, Dick Stratton, if
it is myself you care for, or the salary
that Firefly and / can earn? wish to
goodness L had just remained Dolly
Brown instead of becoming the cele-
brated equestrienne, Md.le. Brownetti.
Then l would have stood a chance,
perhaps, of being loved for myself
Ignoring the reproachful glance of
her companions eyes, she added
hastily:
"NOw, there's Mason. He swears
that he adOres me, and yet if l should
break my leg tonight. l wonder if
there'd be one faithful among my many
admirers"
Then smiling archly, she continued
mischievously:
"Do you think it would be worth my
while to sacrifice limbP"
Dolly. you know"
Holding up pretty dimpled hand,
Miss Dolly, with a coauettish pout,
stayed the words upon his lips, then
shaking her head and assuming dole
full look, she rejoined:
But they all say that"
A saucy ripping laugh escaped her
pretty lips, as, after making him a most
piquant little curtsy, she tripped grace
fully toward the ring entrance, whilst
Dick Stratton, biting his neither lip,
exclaimed savagely:
IAN artful little coquette! I'll cease
to love her from this moment"
Which resolve he Immediately set in
force by hurrying to see that every
thing was as it should be about the
trappings of Dolly's pretty mare,
Fircfiy.
The applause was deafening as Mdlle.
Brownetti executed one daring feat
after another upon her barebacked
steed.
Once or twice the little lady's eyes
rested rather anxiously upon Dick
Stratton's 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, q
bevy of her admirers being on duty in
the ring, but the fair equestrienne ap-
pearcd not to be her usual amiable self
this evening, for her devoted followers
were one and all snubbed.
Mdlle. 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
Stratton hurried to her assistance.
pushing the others aside as he, tenderly
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 u
circus-rider, and concluding with:
I'VE regret sincerely the unfortunate
accident to our fair equestrienne. As
far as We can learn. although the little
lady may live for years. never again
will she delight an audience with heI
daring and graceful performance"
Notes of coincidence, flowers, etc.
poured in upon the stricken e9ues.
trienne, and the first day she was able
| to receive, many were the calls she
had.
She laughed softly 10 herself as one
by one her admirers bowed themSclve:
out How quickly their ardour haC
cooled! $50 sorry" ETC., but not one
had said to her-uow she was disabled
| har Twin
| give me the right to work for youi
Will you be my wife?"
With a half-expectant, half-wistfu
look. she glanced at the clock upor
the mantel, as with n smile. followed
rather quickly by sigh, she ejaculated
| 81 wonder if he will fail me, tooP
Then with comical little twinkle
shining in her eyes, she added: IF h'
should, and he my last chance!"
| Uncommonly pretty did Mdlie
Brownetti look, despite her serious
accident, as she lay propped up by sof
pillows on a wide lounge, the colo
coming and going in her fair cheek
as she listened for a certain step. Blu
when the owner of that step entere,
the room it was very sedate greetin!
he received.
Raising her hand to his lips he ex
claimed passionately:
ITO think of this, my darlingr
"Yes, it's dreadful, isn't it?" an
swered she. softly patting the hand h
had kissed, while again the comica
twinkle shone in her eyes, but it die'
slowly out and q sweet shyness stole il
its place beneath the lowered lids, a
Dick, his voice hoarse with emotion
said:
"When you were well and stron
you drove the love | offered you bacI
upon me, doubling its truth. 1 trie
to kill the love you despised, but
lived in spite of me, and so once NOR
1 bring it to you. My darling, try t
love me a little-be my wife. Civ
me the right to protect and shield you.
..Dick, do you really mean it? ID
you want me just the same withou
any-any-legs?' And Dolly WA
actually laughing, while the tears clun
to her dark lashes.
dolly, you love me little" an
Dick, gaining courage, passed his arr
about the young girls shoulders.
AS she did not rebuke him, she di
not probably notice it.
'Well, just little" was the demur
reply, followed by; Wont you loo
funny wheeling me about in one c
those chairs! Not that | have mad
up my mind to accept you. You see
it would be such dreadful sacrifice o
your part"
Pressing her tenderly to him, b