The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-11-05
CONQUERED FOR EVER.

Ppm sure beg your pardon" said
Mr.. Dalton.
There is no occasion for apology"
said Lima, looking like queen-or,
rather, like beautiful young princess
as she stood there in the soft, daffodil
glow of the spring twilight, with little
curly-headed girl in either hand, while
a chubby boy of five played in the grass
at her feet.
"Oh, but beg your pardon-there's
twice I've done it-there is occasion for
apology" gently uttered Mr.. Dalton.
Just look at the awkwardness of the
whole affair. Here I've been abroad for
five years; and when l come back, l
learn that my poor dear cousin is dead,
leaving three children. l at once re
cognize that it is my duty to provide
for them. come here and discover to
my surprise, that you, the sister of their
mother, have assumed the charge-that
you decline to give them up"
The girl drew up that queenly figure
of hers straighter than before.
you have expressed yourself correct
w." said she. II am the sister of their
dead mother. Do you think it likely
! that wanted them to be bound out to
respectable farmers or apprenticed to
trades?"
A panied expression stole over Mr..
Dalton's face.
II shall be more than glad" said he,
ito assume the care of one or all, if"
II want no help" interrupted the
high-spirited girl. "We have learned
A. - IN Oh ctbo,. 4hoso 1;tt1o nnoO ond
|. Henceforward our lot must be cast
in together. Will you walk over the
garden? We have some beautiful roses
in bloom, and l have been unusually
successful with my carnations this sea-
son."
The young fellow eyed Miss Westfield
as if she were riddle that he could not
read.
You have Il lovely place here" said
he, tentatively.
"Yes," said Lima.
'But is il not lonelyg"
mot ut ALL
"Wouldn't it be n deal more amusin g
in town."
''Not for me, decidedly.
"But you are forgetting plays--operas
ing in the city," argued Mr.. Dalton.
"These little cousins of mine, now
won't you,let me take them in to see a
real playP Just for once?"
The children's eyes sparkled-they
nestled close to the fascinating stranger
whose proposals were so enhancing,
and cast pleading glances in the direc-
ton of the princess-like Lima. She
shook her head gravely.
II do not approve of the theater for
children" said she.
Mr.. Dalton lifted his hands in comic
amazement.
"But, Miss Westfield." said he, show
exceedingly narrow-minded all this is!
Our theater, for example, is the educa-
tional level of our age. The superb les
sons which it impresses on the"
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Dalton"
said Miss Westfield, "but there is not
one of your arguments which have not
listened to before. / am cxcellently
well posted upon the subject. But it is
getting latc-my engagements"
"a thousand pardons!' cried the
young man. IF | must say good-even-
ing"
''Good-cyening.
There was no temptation to further
lingering in the crisp, curt tones of her
voice. Mr.. Dalton turned away not
without disappointment
81 don't understand these girls" saio
| he. There isn't trace of the Jolly
Girl element about this one! Well
one can always console ones self by
going to see the divine young actress
that Hillsdame raves about-the cold,
the calm, the unapproachable beauty
OF the tragic stage"
And so Mr. Dalton bought himself n
white silk tie. pair of primrosc-color-
ed kid gloves, and bouquet, and went
to the theater
But while he sat there, waiting for
the gold-fringed curtain to rise, his
thoughts wandered back to the cottage
ornee he had left
my unknown cousins!" lie mused.
pretty little sprites they were, too. Yes,
II would have been pity for them to
be sent to the workhouse. She Is o
spirited girl, that Miss Lima Westiield.
But woman is nothing more than a
woman after all, and don't see for the
life of me how she does its-A' house like
that costs money to keep 1t up! How
does che got Up Embroidered frooks,-
blue velvet blouses, and cabinet