The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-07

dearest Clementina," he Whispered
tenderly, "and now l beg you will let me
see the face / have been longing to look al
all the evening"
Here the widows peeped eagerly through
the screen of leaves, longing, and yet fear
ing, the elucidation of the mystery.
"0ne minute, said the unknown, put
ting her hand to the mask, 81 wonder il
you will unsay your words if
"Unsay my words, neverr' asseverated
Fitz, passionately.
"NOt even if you have proposed toto
the wrong woman p said clear, mocking
voice-a voice that made the two caves.
droppers thrill with mingled terror and
rage. The mask of the unknown fell to
the ground as she stood up and faced her
astounded admirer.
"Mary
"Yes, Mr.. Brandon-Mary," she echoed,
dropping him mock-modest cnrtsey.
"Now, how didyou get here?" he stam-
mered.
aAh, quite simply droye down in a
hansom," laughed Mary gaily. "Come,
the play is out, so I will explain the plot,
as it seems to puzzle you. | wanted to see
if Mary Grey, given all the advantages la
dies in society enjoy, could not hold her
own with the best. So made an exact copy
of Mrs. Somers dress-did you not see
there was second Queen here tonight ?'
''Yes; but she wore no rose in her dress,
and she seemed so dull and insipid after
you, that concluded -
$50 you made the rose-"
"The badge of grace and wit, inter
rupted FitE, gallantly, "Hut, Mary, tell
me your real motive for playing this COM
edy of errors"
81 fear it was revenge upon both of you" "
said Mary, rather seriously, and yet laugh
ing. "Mr. Brandon, you have behaved
very badly to me- You have courted me,
won my affections, and all the while you
have toyed and trifed with the two widows
as if no such being as myself existed.
How can believe in your sincerity after
all your firtiag, after all that has passed
tonight? Do you think it nothing to
break woman heart ?" she added some.
what tremulously.
For moment Fitz was dumbfounded;
but something in her look and tone aroused
all the manliness latent in him. Admira-
tion took the place of astonishment, and
his native good-nature made him forget the
vexatious trick that had been played on
him. His better nature also asserted itself
He felt that, although his heart had always
been Mary's, his firtations with the widows
had been mere pastime, though tonight,
in the excitement of the moment, he had
gone further than he ever intended.
"It is true proposed to you" he said,
at length, "but you refused me-"
"How could do otherwise" returned
Mary "When l saw you paying as much
attention to others as you did to me? ?"
Again Fitz was silent moment.
"You have taught me lesson, Mary, p"
he cried, at length, taking her hand, "but
l am going to hold you to your promise all
the same. If you spoke in Jest, I was in
earnest, and | don't withdraw word of
what I said. am thankful that I have
not gone too far; that can still honorably
ask you to be my wife. My heart is yours
only, Mary; will you have me?"
"Are you in earnest ?" asked Mary.
"In most solemn earnest" he replied.
"And the widows ?" whispered Mary.
"You are worth hundred thousand
widowsr y
Mary laughed and gave him such a
charming smile that Fits was enraptured.
"And your sobriquet p she asked
Fitz laughed good-humoredly.
"Some one will find me another, never
fear. shall change my name at the same
time you change yours; Mary, People
have always called me lucky fellow, but
l really think Lady Mabel's bal masque
has brought me the best luck of all. y
"He is hopelessly infatuated ?" muttered
Minna to her friend; "let us leave him in
his fools paradise. She is second Becky
Sharp"
And that was the verdict of the fairer
half of society. But Mrs. Fitzgerald
Brandon holds her own, nevertheless, for
her masculine admirers pronounce her the
''prettiest, wittiest, and brightest woman in
London -