The Arizona sentinel., 1886-10-09
TWO POSTAL CARDS.
The Leading Part They Played in
 a Romance.

Friends of the two girls often thought t was a 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 MT. Arbuth- not, though 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 a happy home-happy, that is. until the ever-troublesome ques- ions about lovers began to arise. Lilias Nevins was but little more than year 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.
 '1 do declare Lilias," said Minnie one night after they had retired to their room for the night, 'I can not compre- hend why aunt Hettie so dotes on MT. 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?"
 ''It is clear enough to me-" replied Lilias, ''You know Aunt Hettie was really very poor when she was young, and she threads 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 really did believe that his reputed fortune and position were all humbug; but now that auntie's inquiries have proved him to be all he pretends to be, I am not quite so un- civil to him as was at first"
 ''Tbe worst of the affair is that fear that MT. Mariscal intends to propose right of. I judge so from a word or two he said to uncle tonight, just be- fore he left us. I heard uncle say: If my wife were here she could answer you better than I; will tell her about it when she returns from the party she has gone 10, and she will write you to- morrow To what but a proposal could he have referred?'
 Well. 1 will not marry himr' ex- claimed Lilias determinedly. "rI say no right at the alter first; I'll elope with Frank first!'
 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 1 do; well, am in a fix! Come, let's go to bed and try to dream of some way of softening auntie's heart" said Lilias, wearily, con- mencing to undress ''Why, where's my watch? I do believe I left it on the library table, and 1 am in my bare feet Minnie do you mind going down for itP''
 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 noth- ing at all odd:
 Il will want you to go 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 wedding?" gasped Lilias in surprise.
 Certainly; you must know that MT. Mariscal has been serious in the atten- tions he has been paying to you these last three months; your manner to him has been such that considered that he and 1 and everyone are justified in talk ing it 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 a month, and he desires to take his wife with him."
 Really, auntie, think he might give me a little say in the matter" cried Lilias in vexat:on; but said no more be- cause Minnie trod on her foot in a very significant way, and gave her wink which certainly meant ''keep quiet '' Lilias understood all her sisters signals, for Minnie, though the younger, had much more discretion and acuteness than 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 dict auntie,' said Minnie, by the deaf and-dumb alphabet; their aunt was not look ng her way.
 You should remember it is not the custom in his country for a young man to speak of his intentions to any girl until her guardians have been consulted and have given their approval to his proposal; so like well-bred Mexican, he has come to me and obtained my opinion about his suit" replied Mrs. Arbutbnot.