The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-01
THAT ENGAGEMENT.

THAT ENLARGEMENT.
$50 Julia Nottingham is engaged at
last?" said Mrs. Whiteley. well, I'm
sure Pm very glad to hear it,
But she spoke in a tone that belied
her words. For somehow Julia Not
tingham was not popular among the
ladies of her acquaintance.
.Oh, yes" said Mrs. Sibthorpe, with
a sagacious nod of the head. II have
it from the very best authority-her
own aunt"
"Indeedr said Mrs Whiteley.
"a rich widower," said Mrs. Sib-
thorpe. FIFTY years old and bald"
"Ohr' said Mrs. Whitley, There's
no fool like an old fool"
Owns half hotel on Broadway" g"
went on Mrs. Sibthorpe, eager to dis
seminate her news, land IL block of
tenement-houses on 9th avenue. Keeps
his own carriage and horses and has
bought an elegant country seat up the
Hudson"
Julia will queen it now," said Mrs.
Whiteley almost obviously. Mrs.
Whiteley, be it understood, was
widow not quite past the boundaries of
youth, and not at all averse to Sec
ond marriage with some eligible parti.
'.And how about Clarence Egerton?"
''Ob, she's thrown him over, OF
course" said Mrs. Sibthorpe. That
was nothing but Irritation"
.'Some people have all the luck, :"
sighed Mrs. Whitelcy.
And while her good fortune was the
subject of popular gossip Miss Noting
ham herself sat in her own room at
home complacently surveying the set
of solitaire pearls imbedded in blue
velvet and the magnificent dead gold
bracelets which had just arrived, with
Mr.. Philpotts card attached.
How superb" said Mrs. Noting
ham, brisk little woman with gray
curls and Il suSpiciously unchanging
bloom on each check.
..Oh, yes," said Julia, indifferently.
But | wish his name was anything
but Philpotts.
shakespeare says, Whats in a
nameT archly rejoined the mother.
Very likely said Miss Nottingham,
with toss of her head; ''but you see
Shakespeare wasn't u young lady just
about to he married"
And she thought notwith-
standing her ealloused, coquettish heart,
of poor Clarence Egerteu, who had
ambrosial curls, profile like Adonis,
and salary of nine hundred year.
But she went smiling down to meet
her middle-aged tianee that afternoon.
my own Julia!' said Mr.. Philpotts.
beamingly.
Dear Hiramr' sweetly answered
Julia, with little swallow of the I'M
romantic Christian name in her throat.
81 have brought you bouquet fol
Mrs. Poddington's reception tonight,
said Mr.. Philpotts, producing mira,
Gle of the florists art. wrapped in as
many silver papers as mummy.
How kind of you, love-" said Miss
Nottingham.
| Il will call for you in the carriage al
9 precisely" added Philpotts.
I'm sure it's very considerate, dear.
smiled Julia.
"And here" bringing out of his
pocket heavy gold necklace, from
which hung a diamOnd-set lOcket, ais
a trifie which hope you will oblige
me by wearing tonight"
Julia's eyes sparkled. She was 6
miser at heart, and gold and diamonds
were very beautiful in her eyes. Il
was worth while, she reflected, tt
marry a man old enough to be hel
i father for the sake of treasures such az
these.
But when the carriage came tina
evening to convey her to Mrs. Pod
dington's ball it was empty, and thu
servant handed her note from Mr.
Philpotts. He had an attack of hi
l ~. Il kher r.i,a 10
and found himself reluctantly com
PEELED to remain at home.
..All the better" said Miss Julia t.
herself, with a last glance at the mir
ror before she wrapped the white cash
mere opera cloak about her shoulders
and trippcd lightly downstairs. ''
can have a charming time with poor
dear Clarence, who is never Mt a los
for something to say, and waltzes lik
an angel!"
Miss Nottingham was not displease
with her own appearance. in silver
green silk. half hidden by clouds q
sunny tulle. and set of emerald
which had been Mr.. Philpotts' gift.
Yes" said she, with cOmplaceu
little nod, as her mother compliments
her on her becoming dress, ''it's a
well enough, but just wait until | com
out in black velvet and diamonds as
matron."
Miss Nottingham enjoyed herse
that evening. She waltzed to he
hearts content, flirted enough fO
. three, and finally disappeared in I'll
green recesses of the conservatoI
with the straight-nosed Clarence Ege
ton.
The Poddingtons had more none
than they knew what to do with. an
they had expended a gOodly portion I
it in the decoration of the great arche
palace of plate glass which opened oil
of the supper-rOom. Banana tree
waved their immense tropical Tan
overhead-acaeias brushed the roof
passion vines swung their purple cul
on every side, and little grove
palms and olanders in the center i
closed sparkling fountain OF CO
spray, which tinkled down anon
-, mossv rocks and into clusters of pa
~ green ferns, like a forest waterfa
just within this enchanted nook III
- tic seat of twisted bamboo afforded ;
- excellent corner for fiirtation-and,
to course, Miss Julia Nottingham and h
rejected swain found their way to it
short order.
'.Now, don't be ridiculous, Glare
said Julia. ..Let 60 my handr'
..But you shall answer me first
persisted Clarence. "You shall II
me whether you really love this Q