Iuka reporter., 1888-08-30
them immensely by relating how he be-

them immensely by relating how he be-
wlldered the lecturer.
.sYou see, l had my mind fully fixed
on Charley Howard, but just at that
critical moment discovered Miss Cleo's
face in the audience, and"-with boyish
frankness--''f 'for the life of me couldn't
get my thoughts back on Charley again.
Humiliating, isn't it, to have SO little
mind that there isn't enough to make it
up?" he finishes, with alight laugh.
The time is six weeks later.
To the two sisters the long, hot sum
mer days seemed to have fairly rushed
away, so rapidly have they gone since
they made the acquaintance of their
"fAiry prince" as they have playfully
christened Julian. And well does he
deserve his name, for never did "a Queen
on her throne receive more devoted at
tention than did these two unfortunate
orphan sisters. There has been abso-
lutely nothing left undone that he could
or pleasure. Baskets of choicest fruits
and most lovely flowers; tickets for
splendid concerts; invitations to delight
full yachting excursions, ali found their
way to the young. ladies humble abode,
and, may add, likewise, the donor of
these gifts also finds his way there with
surprising frequency. His visits are the
most delightful events in their hard
working, dull lives, SO no wonder they
are hailed with- such manifestions of
pleasure.
In fact, he is due in this cool, moonlit
room in very few moments now. Cleo
is to have drive in the park this glori-
Gus summer night; and contrary to all
the annals of female history, she is quite
ready, and is leaning yonder against the
wide opened window awaiting his ar
rival. AS she so stands, with the en-
chanting moonlight falling athwar. her,
she resembles nothing so much as some
snowy statue, for she is clad all in white.
Her gown is of the thinnest, fleeciest
material, and shows the rounded beauty
of her arms and shoulders to perfection.
The becoming hat she wears, aud her
long silk mitts are white, also. So charm
ing is the picture that the blood-red
hollyhocks out in the moonlight bend
forward only to look at, her. And her
eyes are fixed on them with a dreamy
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lustrous that they resemble twin stars.
The dimples in her checks haJS come
forth, and are playing hide and seek in
the light of those orbs. Suddenly she
moves away from the window.
''He is here, jamie, so I'll just run out
to him. Goodby for little while. I'll
not be gone more than an hour" she
said, gently, bending down and kissing
her sisters cheek then she steps lightly
out, and is gone.
And Janicl
Well, jamie sits where Cleo leaves
her, and looks out at the blood red
hollyhocks, too, with very happy and
mysterious smile on her face. She mods
her pretty fair head at the flowers also,
and whispers. ''Ies it is all arranged
nicely, I'm surc.'
In less than an hours time Julian and
Cleo have returned. Janet is slightly
astonished to see them back so soon.
Julian strides into her presence, leading
Cleo by the hand, and wearing very
happy and triumphant look indeed.
''My Lady Jane, / wish to inform you
that have done this young person the
honor to propose for her hand, and she
has condescended to accept me. love
her with all my heart, and"
Janet puts up one slim hand.
1T is not necessary for you to mention
the fact. / knew it month ago."
''You don't say % Julian eXclaims,
with great force and bril6ancy. Then,
having recovered little from his
astonishment. he begins again:
"Well, Miss Minerva, what you don't
know is that we are to be married in
two months time. l would not wait
another day."
And jamie gets up and embraces
them both, and kisses Julian warmly on
both smooth dark cheeks. -Frank
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