Richland beacon., 1888-07-28

"iN WI ~ tHat IL w Nv
given this evening at Temple Hail. and
he hopes to see us there. How is it with
you, jamie! DO you think you are able
to walk SO farl'
"Far! Why it's only very little
distance. l went much further than
that this morning. Come, lets get
ready"
Twenty minutes later they find them
selves very nicely seated in the brilliant
ly lighted hall. There is a splendid au-
dience, and when the grave, dignified
lecturer appears, he is greeted with a
burst of applause. His subject is"Spir-
itua!ism and Thought Reading"
A committee has been selected
to see that there is no black art
practised, and to assist the lecturer
Cleo gives little start of surprise, and
the pink in her cheeks grows into a
deeper, lovelier hue, when she makes
the discovery that Mr. Julian Van Ness
is on the stage. And not only that, but
the clever lecturer has bidden him select
some one whom he knows in the audi
ence, and fix his mind upon him, and he
(the thought readerl will conduct the
young man to that person. Julian
meekly Obeys this master mind.
He leads poor Julian a merry dance
for a time, but suddenly he starts off
with fell purpose in his eyes, and in two
seconds the young man is standing be-
hind Cleo's chair, and Cleo's face is like
q rose. There are great many wise
and knowing smiles exchanged when it
is discovered where that very distin-
guished- looking gentleman's thoughts
had wandered.
That MISUNDERSTANDING gentleman
pays not the alightest heed, however.
In fact, he is happily unconscious that
there has been quite commotion
caused among his party when he is seen
leaning over charming young lady's
chair.
He bends down and greets them both
and then tells them in low tone Of
voice that he had simply been obliged
to come there with some friends, but
that he would not be forced to leave
with them, so, if agreeable to the sisters,
he would be most happy to see them
hume. 1t is totally Unnecessary for me
to chronicle their reply, rs there was but
one answer possible.
On their'Xa thither Julian amuses
them immensely by relating how he be-
wildered the lecfsxer.
"You see, had IA mind fully fixed
on Charlie Howard, 's.,t Just at that
critical moment / DISCOVERED Miss Cleo's
face in the audience, and"-u,th bovish
frankness-''for the life of me 3'.:l ldn't
get my thoughts back on Charlie ai;,.n.
Humiliating, isn't it, to have SO little
mind that there isn't enough TO make it
up" he finishes, with light lagh.
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 Julien. Aud we'll
does he deserve his name, for never did
a queen on her throne receive more de.
voted attention than did these two I'M
fortunate orphan sisters. There has
been absolutely nothing left undOne
that he could compass for their benefit,
vi VI DiCuotiC. DdohCio VI
choicest fruits and most lovely flowers;
tickets for splendid concerts; invitations
to delightful yachting excursions, all
found their way to the young ladies'
humble abode; and l 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 mani
festations 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 arrival.
AS she so stands. with the enchanting
moonlight falling athwart her, she re-
sembles nothing so much as some snowy
statue, for she is clad all in white.
Her gown is of the thinnest, feeciest
material, and shows the rounded beauty
of her arms and shoulders to perfection.
The becoming hat she wears, and her
long silk mits 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 arc fixed on them with dreamy
smile in their velvety depths, and are so
lustrous that they resemble twin stars.
The dimples in her cheeks have 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 a little while. Ill
not be gone more than an hour" she
says, gently, bending down and kissing
her sisters cheek; then she steps lightly
out. and is gone.
And Janie2
Well, jamie sits where Cleo leaves her,
and looks out at the blood-red holly.
hooks, too, with a very happy and mys
terious smile on her face. She mods hel
pretty fair head at the flowers also, and
whispers, "Yes, it is all arranged nicely
I'm sure"
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 a very
happy and triumphant look indeed.
"My Lady Jane, l 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"
Jane puts out one slim hand.
''It is not necessary for you to men.
ton the fact. knew it n month ago. Vi
"You don't say so.' Julian exclaims
with great force and brilliancy. Then,
having recovered little from his aston.
ishment. he begins again. "Well, Miss
Minerva, what you don't know is thai
We are to be married in two months