The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1893-09-23
4 FAN FANCY.

IS ."sThere II hangs, between the study 4
Iof roses and that violet placque- my
silk spangled fan with its ivory sticks
and silver chain. n that fan could
talk, what tales it would tel!'
And my little actress friend sighed
as she picked up the white violets that
Harry had sent her that morning. 4
z..ssss1sHas ~ it history, Viz" I asked with
interest. e
Most OF her souvenirs had, and I
knew she would tell me about if such
were the case.
ss She told ne much that happened be-
fore she event on the road" and al
though we all knew her as ''Violet,"
rising little star, her past life was
disclosed to no one, except in the few
little incidents she told me during our
confidential chats.
There was no reply to my question
for a minute or so; vi continued to de-
molish the flowers and gaze dreamily
at the pretty fan. !
At last she looked up, and commenced
what I saw was going to be quite ro-
nance, and so give the conversation
here, just as it occurred.
"Well, it was the year before I en-
tered the profession when papa was
alive and things were going smoothly.
We had money then, and didn't care
how much Of it was spent. I thought
nothing Of running up bills at the stores
of five and six hundred dollars-why,
papa didn't even fuss at paying them,
and mamma used to say was born
with a silver spoon, and knew how to
use it.
1T was the week we received invita-
tons to the Van HIS ball that I got this
fan, to harmonic with the new gown
papa let me get in honor Of the 6cca-
sion. The robe was q plain one, but
X vas green aud shimmery, and when
got off my cloak and things the night
Of the ball, Dick said looked like I'm
dine, with my gold hair and watery
dress Dick always made such queer
| comparisons"
l. Another sigh from Wis pretty lips.
And who was Dick pray?' I ven
tured to ask, little mystifed.
"Oh, yes; how stupid Of me; I forgot
you didn't know him. Why, he was my
lover-then," with 9 scornful en-
phasis on the last word. ;"
well, that night was a dream! 1
danced with all tbs. catches Of the eyen-
T ], Of course, refused, for Dick and I
were as good as engaged, although
neither of us ever spoke of it, - =
Things went along merrily and suc-
lseea6ullY for me, but Il grew. tired 81
lt all, and when Dick came to5 claim q
waltz, Twas blissfully glad. OF course.
we didn't dance, but sat it out on one
OF those rustic chairs concealed by
curtalned recess, placed conveniently
Iar from the may dancers,
AT hrst Dick seemed morose, and in
chned rather to grumble at nv Dopu-
lar1ty. But I assured him it was use
less Tor him to be such a Jealous bow.
as he knew OF whom I was thinking
all the time. At that he put his arm
around me and kissed me behind the
fan..: We. settled it that night, and I
wore diamond ring on my third finger.
For few months we were so happy!
Then papa died, and we lost all our
property even to the house we lived
In. Mammals health failed and I was
depended upon to furnish bread: for.
with the exception Of q few hundred
dollars, we were penniless''
DO you mean to tell me that your
Dick deserted you, then?'' asked. try
Ing 70 conceal the scorn felt for her
sweetheart, whom had pictured as a
prig.
.:"NO. no Won ara wronp. ho e+ooi7 ~,
u.s. and wanted me to marry him then
and there" vi said, with a look in her
blue eyes that boded i'll for any one
VINO dared malign her lost love.
didn't dare, but kept my opinions of
him to myself. I only vetured to ask:
Did you refuse him, then?"
Certainly I did. Do you suppose I
would burden him with two to s11D-
port? You see there was nv mother
as well, for she was an invalid and
could not live alone; and Dick was onlv
a young lawyer, with a rising practice.
to be sure, but not enough income to
support family OF three. Refuse him?
Wen, 1 guess didr'
! understood. I've got that kind of
-Sc;de myself, and couldn't help lean
ing. over and kissing her on the spot
p And what happened then, nv dear
little heroine?' asked, sympatheti-
eally. -.u
This little love story was making me
feel very sorry for vi, for it was so un-
expected OF her. We had always
thought that she was the last one to
fall in love.
Then was offered position on the
stage, and as I had no other means of
support Il didn't want to hire out"
she laughed through her tears), II ac-
cepted the Offer; and when told Dick
about it, he raved and stormed, and
said he wouldn't have his wife on the
stage: Then gently reminded him
that i wasn't tied in the knot OF mat
rimony just yet, and, being free to
do as pleased, would most certainly
accept the position, and, in fact, had
accepted it already. He grew more
and more ferocious, and said lot of
things which he didn't suppose would
hurt me you see he was so anxious
to dissuade me-but every word he Mt
tered seemed to burn like hot iron,
and at last rose ND in al nv dignity