San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-09-05

| uOuoo ~ uOAuSs
And best Of all, Stephen Ellsworth had
been so often to see her. and taken her
out sleighing and to the picture galleries
and theatres, "all on dear old Frances
account. Of course" she added. with q
spice Of merry mischief.
Stephen Ellsworth. He was so hand
some, 30 stylish; the old Ellsworth man.
sion on State street was so elegant; he
sent her such exquisite cut flowers and
baskets of fruitl
And Frances. reading those letters at
home after her days work Of school
teaching was over, tried to rejoice In her
young sisters happiness.
Mother" she said one day, II should
like to SEQ the child In her new dresses.
think Ill go up to Albany and surprise
her. Lucy Lampson will take the school
for week. Dear little Lizziel how as.
tonished she will bel"
"Wife." said Farmer Crest hoarsely,
when Frances had gone up to bed. full
Of her new plan, Il don't knows we
ought to let her CO."
"Why not, Obed?"
II saw DR.. Jones' son this morning.
He Is just homo from the Albany Medi-
cal college, and he says every one is talk
ing Of our Lizzie's engagement to Cap'n
Ellsworth.
"Obed Crest, you're a-dreamin'l"
~ wish l was, wife--I wish wasl
But it's only what we'd ought to have
expected. Lizzie Is as pretty as picter
and as frothy as bowl O. soapsuds, and
brimful O. mischief into the bargain.
And Ellsworths only mortal man,
after all. Frances ought to have mar
ried him a year ago, when he wanted
her to do 80, only she wouldn't leave us
until we'd paid the mortgage on the
farm and got even with the world"
"But, Obed, what are we to do7 II
can't tell herl" sobbed the old lady.
"Nor /, neither. There's no help for
1t, wife; she's got to find 1t out for her.
SELF"
And he let his wrinkled forehead fall
into his hands with groan.
Just then the door opened.
A tall, slight figure came in like q
gliding shadow.
"Tve heard 1t all, father" said Frances,
"and you mustn't blame either Stephen
or Lizzie lit was only natural. He
has grown tired Of waiting for me. And
Lizzie is very lovely. can't blame any
man for wanting to make her his wife.
shall go to Albany, all the same, and
tell them not to mind me. You know
with rather forced SMILEY. "people al
ways said was cut out for an old maid |
And--and-we three can be very happy
here at home all our lives, can't WEI"
And here poor Frances broke down,
and cried bitterly.
"Don't mind me-" said She. ~ shall
be quite used to 1t after WHILE"
It was brilliant January afternoon
the ground covered with snow, the sun
shining with Arctic splendor, and all the
streets musical with the joyous chime OF
sleigh bells-when Frances Crest arrived
at Mrs. Rigney's house In Albany.
"Why Francie- Crest" calculated
the good lady, "is this your"
~ came to surprise Lizzie, Aunt Jo-
sic" said the traveller, smiling family.
"Well. it will be surprise" said Mrs.
Rigney. go right up, dear. She's In
the parlor with
"With Capt. Ellsworth"
"How on earth did you known cried
the comfortable elderly lady. "Has she
written to your
"No, not q word,' Frances answered.
but know It all, nevertheless.
She went on and knocked at the par.
lor door.
"Come in!' called Lizzie's sweet So
prano voice; and, with sudden quick
ening Of her heart, she obeyed.
Was that little Lizzie standing by the
fire, one dainty, slippered foot on the
fender. her cleaning silken gown held
up by slim white hand, while her ex'
quisite profile was outlined against the
ruby velvet Of the lambrequin?
She looked more like princess-a
fairy queen. In this atmosphere Of
change and happiness she had fairly
blossomed out like a rose In mid June.
And that tall figure In the shadow be- s
yond-
"Francesi Dear, dear Francesl"
In q second Lizzie was In her arms. 4
"You got my letter, love-the letter ,
wrote TO you yesterday-the letter tina,
told you all?'
81 have received no letter, Lizzie.
eft home early this morning. But ]
where Is Capt. Ellsworth
"Here-right here before your eyes
Come here, Clarence, and let me intro
luce you 10 your new sister. for we are
Frances, Clarence and L That G
3 my mysterious secret" q
The tall figure advanced with . mill
ary sort Of salute 2
Il was not Stephen az all, but q taller. il
-ounger, les impressive looking man
Frances bowed in a bevildered. way.
"But Stephen. where is Stephen she
lsked.
Gone down to woodfeld, Francie.
Ifter you because he says he means
here shall be double wedding n there's p
o be a single one, and he declares he
ront wait any longer for you 10 make
- your mind And how puzzled he viii D
e, 70 be sure. when be finds the bird has q
lOEni Are you very much surprised, !.
'rznoes; But. you -. Clarence 10 In a,
be regular army; not q mere militia n
aPEain like Stepben- He h stsfiooed IN :.
1oridA, and he ras spending his leave :.
{ alse1ce With his cousins here IN Al y