The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-09-28
THAT ENGAGEMENT.

last" lid Mrs. Whitley. well, 1 I'm
sure I'm very glad to hear it,"
But she spoke in a tone which belied
her words. For somehow Julia Not
tingham was not popular among the
ladies of her acquaintan e.
ooh, yes" said Mrs. Sibthorpe. wit h
a sagacious nod of the head. II have
it from the very best authority-her
own aunt"
"Indeed!' said Mrs. Whiteley.
"a rich widower,' said Mrs. Sib-
thorpe. Fifty years old and bald"
"Oh!" said Mrs. Whitley. There IS
no fool like an old fool"
Gowns half a hotel on Broadway"
went on Mrs Sibthor, g., eager to d
seminate the news. land block of ten
ement houses on Sixth Avenue. X ,ep :
his own carriage and horses aud mas
bought an elegant country seat up the
| Hudson."
Julia will queen it now" said Mrs.
Whitley almost enviously. Mrs.
Whitley, be 1t understood, was a
widow not quite past the boundaries
| of youth, and not at all averse to sec
ond marriage with some eligible partl.
And how about Clarence Egerton2"
oh, she's thrown him over. of
course" sail Mrs. Sibthorpe. That
| was nothing but f1lrtatiOn,"
Some people have all the luck, F"
sighed Mrs. Whitley
| And while her good fortune was the
subject of popular gossip, Miss N Noting
ham herself sat in her own room at
home complaoenrly surveying the set of
solitaire pearls i'm beaded in blue velye t
aud the magnificent dead gold BIZ cele g
which had just al ri we'd, with Mr.. fhll
potts card attached.
| "How superb said Mrs. Noting
ham, brisk little woman with gray
curls and suspiciously unchanging
| bloom on each cheek.
'Oh, Us s." said Julia, indifferently
But wish his name was anything but
Pm lpotts."
'ohakspere says. WHAT'S in q
| Very likely" said Miss Nottingham,
with q toss of her head; "Dut you see
Shakspere wasn't young lady just
| about to be married"
| And she thought regretfullv, not
withstaD ding her cal, oused, coquettish
heart, OF poor Clarence Egerton, who
had ambrosial curls. profile like
| Adonis, and salary of nine hundred a
year.
But she wen uiling down to meet
her middle ageo lance that afternoon.
"Mvown Julia |" said Mr.. Philpotts e,
beamingly.
Dear hiram!" sweetly answered
! Julia, with little swallow of the unro-
mantle Christian name in her throat.
II have brought you bouquet for
Mrs. Poddington's reception tonight, I"
said MIR. PbIlpotts, producing a mir
acle 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 at
9 precisely added Philpotts.
I'm sure it's very considerate dear, ]"
smiled Julia.
And love-" bringing out of his
pocket q heavy gold necklace, from
which hung diamond set locket, "is a
triflle which l hope you will oblige me
| by wearing tonight"
| Julias eyes sparkled. She was a
miser at heart. and gold and diamonds
were very beautiful in her eyes. 1t was
worth while, she reflected, to marry a
| man old enough to be her father for the
| sake of treasures such as these.
| But when the Carriage came that
evening to convey her to Miss Podding
| toms ball i: was empty, and the servant
handed her a note from Mr.. Philpotts
He had an attack of his old enemy, the
rheumatism, he wrote, and found him
self reluctantly compelled to remain at
| home.
AL the better" said Miss julia to
| herself, with last glance at the mirror
| before she wrapped the white cashmere
| opera cloak about her shoulders, and
tripped lightly downstairs. 81 can
have charming time with poor, dear
Clarence who is never at a loss for
something to say, and waltzes like an
ANGEL"
Miss Nottingham was not displeased
with her own appearance, in silver
green silk, half-hidden by clouds OF
sunny tulle, and q set of emeralds
which had been MIR. Philpott's gifts.
Yes" said she. with complacent
little nod, as her mother complimented
her on her becoming dress, lit s all well
enough, but just wait until l come out
in black velvet and diamonds as a ma
tron!"
Miss Nottingham enjoyed herself that
evening. She waltzed to her hearts
content, firted enough for three, and
finally disappeared in the green recesses
of the conservatory with the straight
nosed Clarence Egerton.
The Poddingtons had more money
than they knew what to do with, and
they had expended a goodly portion of
it in the decoration of the great arched
palace of plate glass which opened out
of the supper-room. Banana trees
waved their immense tropical fans over
heah-acacias brushed the roof-passion
vines swung their purple cups on
every side, and q little grove of
palms and olanders in the can
ere inclosed sparkling fountain
of cool spray, which tinkled down
among messy rocks and into clusters OF
pale green ferns. like forest waterfall.
Just within this enchanted nook rus
tic seat of twisted bamboo afforded an
excellent corner for flrtation- and of
course Miss Julia Nottingham and her
rejected swain found their way to it in
short order.
NOW, don't be ridiculous Clare