The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-10-06
TWO POSTAL CARDS.
The Leading Part They Played in
a Romance.

Friends of the two girls often thought
Il was great pity that Mrs. Arbuthnot
and her husband had been appointed
sole guardians of Jasper Nevins' nieces,
with full care of their money as well as
Of the girls themselves; for Mr.. Arbuth-
not, though a good, well-meaning man,
was as clay in the acute wife's hands,
and all who knew her knew that money
was the one thing she worshipped. In
her way she liked these girls, whose
mother had been her favorite sister, and
she gave them happy home-happy,
that is, until the ever-troublesome ques-
lions about lovers began to arise.
Lilas Nevins was but little more than
a wear older than her sister Minnie,
the two were united as twins could have
been; rather too much united on one
point for the comfort of their Aunt
hettie, as they called Mrs. Arbuthnot,
and that was their opinion of Frank
Carroll and Felipe Mariscal.
81 do declare Lilias," said Minnie
one night after they had retired to their
room for the night, 81 can not compre-
bend why aunt Hettie SO dotes on Mr..
Mariscal; he is as sallow and thin as a
man can be; he hasn't two words to say
for himself; he is not particularly polite
to auntie-why does she like him so
much?'
sit is clear enough to me- replied
Lilias, "You know Aunt Hettie was
really very poor when she was young,
and she breads poverty for us; she hon
estly thinks she is acting for my good
in giving the cold shoulder to Frank
Carroll because he is a poor young
book-keeper, while this Mariscal has
heaps of money and fine estates in
Mexico; At first l really did believe
that his reputed fortune and position
we're all humbug; but now that auntie's
inquiries have proved him to be all he
preteDds to be, l am not quite so I'M
civil to him as | was at first"
''Tbe worst of the affair is that l fear
that Mr.. Mariscal intends to propose
right off. / Judge so from word or
two he said to uncle tonight, just be-
fore he left us. | heard uncle say: If
my wife were here she could answer you
better than |; will tell her about it
when she returns from the party she
has gone TO, and she will write you to-
morrow To what but proposal
could he have referred?"
well. | will not marry himm ex-
claimed Lilias determinedly. "rll say
no right at the alter first; I'll elope
with Frank tirst!'
IF you marry against auntie' S wishes
remember you forfeit all your share of
the money, and Frank is not rich," an
swered Minnie, warningly.
"Oh, dear, so | do; well, am in a
fix! Come, let's 90 to bed and try to
dream of some way of softening auntie' S
heart" said Lilias, YEARLY, COM
mencing to undress. "Why, where's
my watch? | do believe | left it on the
library table, and | am in my bare feet
Minnie do you mind going down for
it?n
Not she! Neither of the girls was
one bit timid, so Minnie, who had not
begun to undress, ran to the library for
the watch. She was gone some min
,utes, and Lilias was just beginning to
BE- alarmed about her when she re-
turned, apologizing for her delay, say
ING that the evening paper had caught
her eye, and she paused long enough to
read over the deaths and marriages
just as any girl would.
The next morning Mrs. Arbuthnot
said calmly, as if she was saying moth
Ing at all odd:
II will want you to 90 into the city
with me by-and-by, Lilias, to select
Some new bonnets and dresses; we may
as well begin to prepare for your we'd
ding"
For my weddingP" gasped Lilias in
surprise.
Certainly; you must know that MIR.
Marlscal has been serious in the atten-
lions he has been paying to you these
last three months; your manner to him
has been such that considered that he
and and everyone are justified lin tax
ing 1t for granted that you are ready to
become his wife. The wedding must
take place quite soon, for he told my
husband last night that some matters
concerning his Mexican estates make it
necessary for him to return home within
amonth, and he desires to take his wife
with him."
Really, auntie, think he might give
me little say in the matter cried
Llllas in vexat:on; but said no more be-
cause Minnie trod on her foot in very
significant way, and gave her a wink
winch ili certainly meant "keep quiet.
Llllas understood all her sister, signals,
lor Minnie, though the younger, had
much more discretion and acuteness
1lan impulsive Lilias. Exactly what
plan Minnie now had she could not
imagine, still she thought she would
not spoil it by saying too much.
Buy your clothes and don't contra
alct auntie," said Minnie, by the deaf.
,nd-dumb alphabet; their aunt was moi
LOOK ng her way.
You should remember it is not the
.ns'om in his country for a young man
% speak of his intentions to any CIR.
until her guardians have been consulted
and have given their approval to his
proposal; so like well-bred Mexican,
ne has come to me and obtained my
opinion abont his snit-n REPLIED Mrs