Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-02-27

He was not surprised tnat, Wnen Iney
met at dinner, SibyPs enthusiastic ad-
miration overfowed all verbal bounds.
"She is simply the most beautiful crea-
ture that | have ever seenP she said,
referring to Zarifa. Il really did nothing
but stare at her; for she is a perfect
picture of loveliness. And when her
eyes light up, and she makes that fas-
cinating little Mexican salutation with
the fingers, she is utterly bewitching.
Geoffrey, if you were to swear until you
were black in the face that you did not
fall in love with her when you were out
at their place, | should not believe you"
"There is no need for me to subject
myself to such an unpleasant test, then,
Sibyl," answered Geoffrey calmly. "But
may be allowed TO remark that it
would be as sensible for me to fall in
love with royal princess as with Dons
Zarifa She is the greatest heiress in
Mexico, and will no doubt make great
alliance"
There is very hackneyed proverb
which it strikes me might have an ap-
plication in this case" said Halbert.
1--WE know what is said of faint heart
and fair lady. The fair lady is here.
MAY not the faint heart be also?"
II really do not see," observed Mrs.
Derwent. "why it should be supposed
that Geoffrey would hesitate to offer
himself to any woman, even if she is a
great heiress. No one who knows him
could suspect him of an interested mo-
tive, and he has sufficient fortune of his
own
"My dear mother" interposed Der
went, with gallant attempt to laugh,
"the matter has not reached the point OF
even contemplated proposal l have
the honor to admire Dona Zarifa exceed
ingly, but beyond that my presumption
does not venture"
81 am unable to perceive where the
question of presumption comes in, said
Mrs. Derwent majestically.
Derwent did not reply, for he was in
deed partly amused and partly irritated
to perceive that his mother, having been
disappointed in her long cherished hope
Of seeing him marry Sibyl Lenox, had
now conceived the brilliant idea Of an
have shivered at the thought of Mexi-
can marriage before coming to the coun-
try, and especially before Dona Zarifa's
wealth and beauty had dawned upoa
her, but now her imagination was eager
ly at work. The romance as well as the
solid advantage of such a match allured
her greatly, and it was evident that she
At i1x ,tcb
fascinating. Derwent, who felt too sick
at heart with the hopelessness of his pas
sion to argue with or laugh at her,
strove to avoid the subject, and Sibyl,
who was soon keen enough to perceive
this, kindly seconded his efforts.
When they parted after their drive,
Don Maurizio had said to him: "Come
to see me tomorrow morning. would
like to speak with you on matter of
business" And Derwent lost no time
the next day in keeping the appoint
ment. More than ever now his resolve
was set on replacing Sibyrs fortune in
its entirety, and he knew that if he per-
severed in the intentions with which he
came to Mexico no one could better di-
his end than Don Maurizio.
"Mr. Derwent," Don Maurizio said,
when they were both seated, 81 have
a confession to make, as preface
to business proposal, and | will be
quite frank in making it. Briefly,
then, when you recovered from your
wound in my house, and when
found that the stranger had succored
as matter of charity proved to be a
gentleman and person of whom one
might wish to make friend, remem-
bered prudence, and l felt that before
admitting you to friendly intimacy
should know something about you as
you are known at home. This does not
offend you, hope?"
"On thecontrary," answered Derwent,
'it is what should have desired; for,
naturally, a man who has all his life
occupied a distinct and unquestioned
social position is not anxious to appear
in the light of mere adventurer of for
tune. And that, as am well aware, is
what ! seemed to you. Well"-he
smiled slightly-"1 suppose you made
some inquiries about me?"
"Yes. | wrote to an old friend, man
of the highest position in New Orleans,
And this, l may remark in passing, did
not because | needed assurance myself,
but because it was an absolutely neces-
sary step if | was to help you in bust
ness point Of view. Well, my friends
reply was so flattering that some day
will show it to you. Only one thing in
his letter puzzles me little. After
speaking of your social position and your
personal character in the highest terms,
he mentions that you have recently in.
,ur father large estate.