The Bottineau pioneer., 1893-10-07
THAT LETTER.

beauty before the long mirror in her
boudoir.
II should consider my toilet incom-
plete without it," as the little French
maid brought forth crimson rose to
pin In her young mistress hair.
Lillys made a beautiful picture in the
full glare Of the light, which caused her
raven hair to seem the blacker against
the delicate yellow Of her evening gown.
"Mademoiselle looks beautiful-like
q bride" remarked Jeanne.
do you think soT' said Lillys, glanc-
ing dreamily at her own reflection, then
frightening suddenly.
Jeanne, you are fatterer-I do not
believe you-besides brides never wear
red roses. The idea! Jeanne, only my
third ball tonight, and to look like i
bride! You may rest assured I am
going to enjoy life now and shall not
marry for many a year."
"Ah! Mdlle. Lillys, qui salt! You will
be in love before you are aware re-
piled Jeanne, with wise nod OF her
head.
Lillys laughed gayly, took a few last
glances at herself in the mirror and was
satisfied.
The clock on the mantel struck 8, and
Lillys was buttoning the last button OF
her long gloves, when the servant an
nounced Mr.. Crayton.
Every we'll, shall be down directly,
Jeanne, throw my opera cloak over me,
don't muss the lace-there, hand me the
fan-Im ready"
The next moment Lillys had reached
the drawing room and greeted MI.
Crayton, her escort for the evening.
Arriving at the gniticently-h hghted
dancing-hall of Mrs Uptons handsome
mansion, Lillys Forsythe was at once
the center Of attraction.
1t was a well-established fact that
Kenneth CraytOn was madly IN love
with the young woman and that he was
the favorite one of her admirers. l say
'favorite" inasmuch rs she accepted MS
invitations more frequently than others,
but just this evening she became con-
vinced that she was not the least bit In
love with him.
"Of course I am to have my usual
number of dances ON your programme,
Miss ForSythe!' said Kenneth Cray
ton.
Il think not, Mr. Crayton, as Mr.. Bar
low has already secured several and
Then / am to understand that may
take what is left?" questioned CraytOn,
not without sarcasm, for if there was
one thing he could not endure it was to
see himself eclipsed by another, SO am
bilious was he and so accustomed TO
success
mo, not exactly replied Lillys, with
a sweet smile, the instrument which
had never failed her in conquering him.
"Confound Barlow, anyhow he mur-
INJURED.
''Mr. Crayton," as she looked at him
with a tragi-comical expression which
was very fetching, how compliment
ary"
Later in the evening as the strains
of a dreamy waltz f1oated on the air,
Lillys, leaning on the arm of Herbert
Barlow, walked into the library and
there in a secluded nook they sat down
on the divan.
Lillys had a peculiar way of making
herself effective; she did not pose, but
being graceful, every one of her atti-
tudes was picturesque and pleasing.
Herbert BarloW's eyes even were daz-
Zled by her enhancing loveliness as she
sat there against the rich oriental tap
estres with her sparkling, brown eyes
scanning his face.
"Oh, l had almost forgotten; this is
the waltz l promised Mr.. Crayton Do
take me back to the ballroom, Mr. Bar
low, before it is too late"
Miss Forsythe," began Barlow, in
measured tones, looking steadfastly at
the girl with his penetrating gray eyes,
can you not give up one dance with
that man for me-"
Yes. but Lillys tried not to notice
nor understand the last words.
MIR. Crayton was already complain
ing of being treated unfairly by me to-
night, and So"
little for such a remark" put in Bar
low.
NO" with a little pout, mot exactly;
he has been very kind to me all along"
With that the girl arose, and there was
nothing for Barlow to do but to escort
her and to wonder why she treated him
with such exasperating Indifference.
I4illys FOrSythe was an orphan, and
the heiress of her fathers enormous
wealth. For a year or more she had
made her home with married cousin
several years her senior. Dorothy Kirk
and Lillys Forsythe, besides being cOus-
ins, were the best of friends, and Cor
don, Dorothy's husband greatly appre-
cated the presence of his wife's relative
at his home.
1T kind of livens up the house." so
Mr.. Kirk eXpresseC it, TO have a young
girl around. A mdn likes to see some
merry-making when he comes home
from his Office
AS for Lillys, she was perfectly happy
when Dorothy gave her permission to
have the apartments adjoining the nurs-
cry, for she was exceedingly fond Of
her cousins children, and in turn was
their very idol. OF the three rollicking,
romping, four-year-old Teddy was the
especial favorite of "Aunt Lillys." In
her room he was monarch of all he sur
veyed, and not a morning went by that
he would not slip quietly into Aunt
Lillys' room to see if she were up.
The morning following Mrs. Upton s
dance Lillys was the first to reach the
| dining-room. When Dorothy came down
and saw Lillys she said anxiously:
Why, my dear, how tired you look
An evenings dissipation does not usu-
! ally tell so plainly on your face"
Tired? Yes-I did not sleep after
came home; now don't begin to worry
about that, I can make up for lost
sleep all day, if I wish. BY the by" "
changing the subject to avoid other
questions, did you ever meet Mrs.
Upton's niece?'
Miss Deane-Mildred Deane? Oh,
yes, she visits this city every winter.
They say Mr.. Barlow is quite taken
with her." said Dorothy, carefully scan
ming her cousins face.
young Barlow is man Of splendid