Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-12-03

That's q fact Mabel. Ihave halt 4
mind TO be your rival, and try my
luck at winning this extraordinary
maiden. She would be such valua-
BILE addition to my cabinet 81 curiosi-
ties. But I forgot; we are allies, and
that is better than being rivals. By
the way, are You going to the Orr's
this evening p'' a.
Nv BY, yes; I was just beginning to
dress when You came in Now, sir, z
|: slttrriking on attitude, ..begone from my
presence! How dare you indrude upon
9 lady when she is surrounded BY the
mysteries Of her toiletp' pointing theat-
rically to her combs, brushes and hair
pins. What visions Of enamel and
rogue, detached curls and black lead
eyebrows. will float before your mind
when you see pretty woman! In behalf
81 .1 my sex. I most forbid your presence
here. y .S - I'd. q
SIS q don't think your sex need have
any fears from, YOU said Walter.
glancing with brotherly pride at the
artless face and pretty figure. But
look your prittiest for tonight; lam
going to bring to you Max Wilbur, my
dear old Eaton cnum, and I want you
to set your cap for him" "
"Much obliged, but 1 never set my
cap. leave that to the Annie Laurie
class. If am ever 50 unfortunate
as to get married,it will not be by pop
ping the question, either directly or
indirectly. ...t -.
Z ssss T#~e
Mrs. Orr's parlors were crowded
with guests, but Mabel Lee see med
scarcely conscious of their presence.
One alone claimed her attention. and
though she tried to seem ind tlerent.
Walter. watching at a distance, was
pleased to sea that Max Wilbur had
made an impression -
That was the beginning Of an &C.
tquaintance which, aided iby Walters
genuine love for his sister and his
friend, grew rapidly into a warm
friendship.
Three weeks from the date of her
first letter to Annie Laurie, Mabel had
tired Of tha correspondence. Beside,
she dreaded lest Max should find it
out. He seemed so high minded, she
feased he could never stoop to en-
joya practical joke. She had written
about half dozen of the silly mis-
sives, in one of which she had made
formal offer OF marriage. .,
i am going to write just one more, :"
she said to Walter, land that will
be to end this nonsense. 1t has not
afforded me half the fun 1 expected. ="
'"The sugar is at the bottom" laugh
cd Walter. but think myself that
it is time we were tasting it. She had
appointed place to meet you. had she
notp"
Eyes. Room number twenty, Brack-
on House. But I shall decline to meet
her."
"Not bit of it Disguise yourself
as an old lady. will go with you and
remain outside the room door, ready
for any emergency. No one will ever
know it,
After much persuasion Mabel reluct-
antly yielded: and half an hour later,
Walter bore triumphantly to the post
Office a letter in which "Robin Adair''
stated that he would call upon ''Annie
Laurie at the appointed place, on the
following evening at s O. clock.
Robin Adair certainly cut a queer
figure when ready for the interview. A
figure that would have scandalized his
mythical namesake. An immense poke
bonnet, . pair OF green goggles and q
broad, white ruf1ie representing a car
border, disguised the pretty girlish
face. A short scant dress, pair OF
cotton gloves, a green cloak and heavy
shoes completed the costume, while a
huge, blue umbrella and q reticule sug-
gested the name Of "Jerusha Perkins,
az more appropriate than any other.
Walter, was in high spirits as they
walked along +the street. He compli.
mented Mabel on her disguise. at the
same time giving hints for the coming
interview .@,t@t - =, !:
* BY the time she reached the hotel
Mabels courage was dwindling rap
idly But she said nothing as she
walked up the head stairway to mum
Der twenty. Walter wispered q few
words of reinsurance as he stepped
aside. and with trembling hand she
knocked at the door. r.. 4.. j, Il, $4 zss ~
b A brisk, high-keyed voice answer.
ed - q. 5...zs
3.'Come in!'' sss5 iys 49,. N
Mabel entered and glanced hastily
at the occupants Of the room. Instead
Of the prim dan,sel she expected to see,
quite on old looking lady. whose dress
was almost the exact counterpart o1
Mabel's own, arose to meet her. Eve q
the umbrella was not 5wanting, and as the
figure was remarkably tall. and came
forward with this formidable weapon,
Mabel was inclined to beat . hasty re-
treat. ~ x s :sss ss#5 ..S%i.s.
The nice little speech she had pre-.
pared fod from her memory. She
stood silent aud motionless; but the
same curiously pitched voice inquired;
Can Z do any thing for you. mad.
amp