The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-07-31

Dear Clementina,' Fitz went on
eagerly, q love you most sincerely, ].
admire you above all other women"
Are you quite quite sure of that?n
whispered the unknown. "Is there
no one you have q secret liking for?'
u tz hesitated for a moment. His
conscience was evidently not quite
clear. The lady, however, seemed in
no way vexed, but laughed softly as
she tapped MIN on the arm with her
fan.
There! I won't put too many
questions. Ifyou tell me tonight at
least !,reign supreme, ask nothing
more.n z
Fitz took her hand and pressed it
fervently to his lips.
Dearest Clementina," he whispered
tenderly, "and now I beg you will let
me see the face have been longing to
look at all the evening.
There the widows peeped eagerly
through the screen Of leaves, longing
and yet fearing the elucidation of the
mystery.
Zone minute" said the unknown,
putting her hand to the mask: ri
wonder if you will unsay your words
"Unsay my words! never assever-
.ated Fitz, passionately.
"Not even if you have proposed to
ITO the wrong woman?" said clear,
knocking volce-a voice that made the
two eavesdrOppers thrill with terror
and rage. The mask of the unknown
fell to the ground as she stood up and
faced her astonished admirer.
Mary
Eyes, Mr.. Brandon-Mary," she
echoed, dropping him a mock modest
courtesy.
''Now--how did you get here" he
stammered.
All; quite SIMPLY drove down in
q hansome," laughed Mary gayly.
sCome, the play is out, SO I will e.
PLAIN the plots as 1T seems to puzzle
you. wanted to see if Mary Grey,
given all the advantages ladies sin So
clety enjoy, could not hold her own
with the best. So made an exact
copy of Mrs. Somers' dress-did you
not see there was a second Queen here
to-night?"
Yes; but she wore no rose in her
dress and she seemed so dull and in
sipid after you that concluded -"
$50 you made the rose
s'The badge OF grace and wit, !" inter
rupted Fitz, gallant ly ..But Mary,
tell me your real motive for playing
this comedy Of errors 3 s
II fear it was revenge upon both Of
you. said Mar rat her seriously, and
yet laughing Mr.. Brandon you have
behaved very badly to me. You have
courted me, won my affections, and
all the while you have toyed and tri-
fled with the two widows as if no such
being as myself never existed. How
can i believe your sincerity after all
your flirting, after all that has passed
tonight? Do you think it nothing to
break a woman's hearth she added,
somewhat TREMENDOUSLY.
For moment Fitz was dumbfound-
ed; but something in her look and tone
reused all the manliness latent in
him. Admiration took the place Of
astonishment, and his ma
tive good nature made him
forget the vexatious trick that
had been PLAYED on him. His better
nature also asserted itself. He felt
that although his heart had always
been Mary's, his hirtations with the
widows had been mere pastime, though
tonight, in the excitement on the mo-
ment, he had gone further than be
ever intended.
'' It is true / proposed to YOU" he
said at length, .'but you refuse me-"
How could do otherwise, return
ed Mary, when i saw you paying as
much attention to others as you did
to me?'
Again Fitz was silent moment.
You have taught me q less on,
Mary, I he cried at length, taking her
hand, "but / am going to hold you to
your promise all the same. II you
spoke in jest was in earnest, and
don't withdraw word otwhat I said.
| am thankful thatI have not gone
too far, that I can still honorably
ask you to be my wife. My heart is
yours, and yours only, Mary; will you
have me?'
I 4. Are you in earnest?" asked Mary.
In most solemn earnest" he re.
piled.
And the widows?" whispered Mary.
on are worth 100000 widows!"
Mary laughed and gave him such a
charming smile that Fitz was enrapt-
ured. Il Ii
And your soubriquet?" she asked.
& Fitz laughed good humoredly.
u Someone will find me another, nev-#
er fear. shall change my name at
the same time that you change yours,