Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-23

And away rusned Master I5lily, little
recking of the mischief he was unwit-
tingly working to the cause OF true
love?
The evening of the fair came--and
the pretty rooms, made still prettier by
paper roses and evergreen garlands,
were crowded with the brave, the fair,
and some that were neither one nor the
other. Georgia Arlington, presiding
at one of the tables, looked lovely
enough to drive half dozen young
men distracted, instead of one, and
Miss Ornthia, in a rustling slate-colOr-
ed silk dress, went about like an au-
tumn leaf in high wind. The lucky
bag circulated from hand to hand, car
rying, as is the wont of these institu-
tions, a little current of merriment and
laughter in its wake. Georgia drew a
cigar-case, Mr.. Mott became the pro-
prietor of a rag-doll, and Miss Orinthia
Brown drew-a letter, addressed to
herself.
Gilbert Mott. leaning against the
doorway, saw Miss Brown hurrying up
to Georgia and displaying her prize
with malicious glee; while Georgia col
ored and bit her lips, and looked ready
to cry, and feigned merry little rip
pie of laughter, all in one and the same
breath.
"Why don't that horrid old maid
keep away from Georgia Arlington"
thought our discontented hero. ''She
looks like dried up bunch of raisins
beside a cluster of blooming Isabella
grapes.'
And, watching his opportunity, he
slipped through the crowd and edged
up to the table where Georgia was SELL
ing pin-cushions and tape trimmings at
an exorbitant price.
Georgia. he whispered softly,
'Georgiar'
But she turned her head haughtily
away.
"Please to excuse me, Mr.. Mott" she
said, coolly.
While Gilbert was staring at her in
amazement,a "a hand was slipped through
his arm, and Miss Orinthia Brown drew
him gently away.
Where are you going?" he demand
ed. rather unwillingly.
OuSi OutSiut lu' toOl, OHS
whispered Miss Orinthia. falteringly.
at is not in the tumult of common
crowd that such words should be spok-
enr'
What words? l haven't an idea
what you meant cried the young
man.
Orinthia drew him into the hall, her
head dropped on his shoulder.
YES" she faltered, .yes! How
could YOU for moment doubt it!'
doubt what? Excuse me, Miss
Brown, but think your wits are for
saking you," said Gilbert Mott, striv-
ing to extricate himself from the dam
selt grasp.
.'Gilbert, would you, then, be false to
me?" sobbed Orinthia, with the dawn
ing symptoms of Mysteries.
Il! False to your echoed our hero.
"Miss Brown, will you be so good as to
tell me at once, and plainly, what you
are talking about?'
Orinthia Browns sallow cheeks red
dened-her eyes sparkled ominously, as
she drew from her pocket the precious
missive.
do you mean to say, sir, that you
didn't write this letter." she demanded.
Gilbert took the letter and scrutinised
it closely.
Yes. of course. wrote the letter"
"Then, dearest -"
"Stop. though" )" he interrupted, fran
tically. ut wasn't to you''
Not to me?"
mo. Do you suppose want to mar
ry you"'
Miss Orinthia uttered shrill shrek
but the next moment she was alone!
Gilbert Mott had vanished.
For the matter was growing serious
now. If Georgia were to be won, she
mist be won at once, before Fate con-
spired with any other old maid to de-
prive him of her coveted love.
Georgia" he said, planting himself
resolutely beside her. Il have got
something wish to say to you"
"You had great deal better say it to
your beloved Miss Orinthia," said
Georgia, tossing her flaxen curls.
''But she isn't my beloved Miss Orin-
thia," cried Gilbert.
II suppose you will be denying your
own handwriting nex.," said Georgia,
Indignantly. "But it's of no use;
saw the letter myself"
''But, Georgia, the letter was written
to you"
''lhen," said Georgia, Frightening
up little, show did she get it?'
That's just what l can't compre-
hend myself" said Gilbert; .'but one
thing l am very certain OIL love you,
and you alone, and won't leave you
until you tell me whether the love is re-
turned"
And he did not; neither was it neces-
sary for him to stay there very long.
But to this day nobody, save Billy,
the irrepres-ible, knows exactly how
Georgia's letter came into Miss Orin-