The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-10-19


Ind bent dozen and kissed her.
II think you speak of Mr. Vanbruton
in very tlippant way" said Mrs Pat
terson severely. docs lie not do every
thing lie can to please you? and you are
very capriciouS. You really hardly de-
serve such man."
He is dear old thing. and am very
fond of him.. replied Mr. Vanbruton 8
tiancee carelessly. but you can hardly
expect me to be passionately in love with
him; he has twenty thousand year, but
he is eighteen years my senior, and is
already getting stout" And she shut
her eyes as if she had discussed the sub
ject sufficiently.
Her mother was silent for q few mo-
ments, and then said gently:
"Are you sure, dear, that you have
quite given up thinking of that other
of Mr. Mayne:"
The girl moved her head restlessly.
and her face flushed.
Mother" she replied gently, sis not
that subject tabooed? We agreed not to
refer to Gerald Maync again. only re-
member that in six months | become
Mr.. Vanbruton's wife, that tomorrow
go abroad, and that Miss Rogers may ar
rive at any minute
"Dcar me! So she will I do hope,
Alice, that you have got over your alb
surd prejudice against her, and that at
least you will be tolerably cordial to her "
~ don't suppose we shall quarrel, but
fc1,a &, al.
riage coming up the drive" Miss Pat
terson rose from her chair and sauntered
to the window which overlooked the
front park
''ller luggage won't trouble us much
in being over weight" she remarked.
''She has one box which would be just
large enough to hold my hats.
Half an hour later Mrs Patterson and
her guest were sitting alone in the for
mcr's bouGor.
Miss Rogers hardly looked as if she
had just arrived after rather tedious
journey. Tidincss was her great, some
people said her only, virtue; and her
worst enemy could not say that size ever
looked anything but neat
"ies. we are very pleased about her
engagement, the fond mother was say
ing Though she has money of her
own, we could never have lrcamt of al
lowing her to marry a man with none,
and Mr.. Vanbruton is very wealthy, and
has been most generous as to settle
mcnts."
Miss Rogers dark eyes flashed, but she
said indifferently, "Quite paragon! and
doe, his face equal his fortunc:"
Different people have different tastes, :"
replied Mrs Patterson stitily. His is a
good. clever face, which is better to my
mind than mere physical beauty"
"Is he young" inquired Miss Rogers,
mentally noting THAT he was plain.
"Of course, of course. but us you will
probably meet him abroad, you will be
able to judge for YOURSELF said Mrs
being SO catcchisc'l, and then growing
confidential, she continued: 81 must tell
you that dear Alice had once slight
pcnclant for another gentleman but we
forbade the match. as he had absolutely
next to no money. She is sincerely at
tachc'l to her future husband, but do
not think it wise ever to let her mind
dwell OH him, the other, you know; so
you must watch her. and SEQ that she is
always amused, and does not nope.
am sure you understand; and now will
show you your room, as you huS' re-
quire some rest before tea
Mrs. Patterson led her visitor through
the hall and up stairs, and showed her
into large, airy bedroom, with win.
Iows overlooking the woods which
skirted the park: and with the usual
polite hope that she wo..Id he comfort
able, left her alone
Miss Rogers divcsted herself of her
bonnet and cloak, and, without even
glanci',:: ut tl,c glass. placed herself ut
the writing table and proceeded to Write
to her brother She wrote steadily and
filled one sheet, and then tore off fresh
half and continues:
"And now. dear old Dick, rs you are
not here to scold me, will confide to
you my little plan. hear that in every
probability we shall meet this million-
airc, Mr. Vanbruton, during our sojourn
at Lucerne Miss Alice, who has nice
little fortune Of her own, was once. and
l believe is still, in love with a gentle
manly pauper but the stern parents have
sent the said pauper about his business.
Why should not do evil that good may
come? Why should not fascinate her
present fiance and marry him myself,
while. to soothe her Tilted feelings, Miss
Patterson's parents will unite her to her
impecunious sweetheart, and we shall all
be happy evcrafter:" Miss Rogers broke
off here and thought awhile. The window
was open, and the soft breeze stole in,
and played with the papers on the table
and ruffied the writer's smooth hair. II
do not think will confde in him, after
all; suppose failed, he would laugh at
ne" And acting on this idea. Miss Rog-
ers pushed the extra half sheet towards
the edge of the table, and. signing her
name to the other. put it in an envelope
and addressed it. AT that moment there
came knock at the door, and involun-
tarily she called out. "Come in" and
Alice entered.
The sudden draught caused the gentle
breeze to become mischievous, and it
scattered the loose sheets of paper about