The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1893-12-23

p.zs'YySS' Party e ~sr:
from Boston, but mainly because Will
helmina had made there some special
purchases for her new adventure.
She proposed to sail for Christiania
from Hull, in the middle of the month,
and already the papers had interviewed
her, and "Miss Wilhel,nina Perks the
Female Frapklin-by One Who Knows
Her." appeared in nearly every paper
that you picked up.
They had all been to Lords, and DIR.
Fraser and his cousin, Mrs. Valdez.
share, had been brought back to dinner
at the hotel.
''Well,'' said Miss wilhelmina,
IS 'taiu't no use talking, you know. My
minds set on this trip, and I'm going
to do it."
Il know, my girl" said old Mr..
Ferks-'I know. You wouldn't be a
Perks if You was to give way now and
go back on your reputation"
And I'll just go and make name
Tor myself and then I'll come right
back. and-''shc glanced at DIR. Fraser
and then We'll be happy"
Young DIR. Fraser pressed the young
lady's foot affectionately beneath the
table. and i:ttle Mrs. Waldershare
smiled.
81 wish you were all coming with
me-" she went on. ''Aih't it just pleas
ant now even to talk of foes of ice and
miles of untracked snow, and-and SO
on
Ibid you say the boat was ready,
Meener?" asked her father.
LAS near ready doesn't matter"
answered Wilhelmina. 1.-THE men are
engaged. the stores are purchased, and
when ] get to Christiania I shall only
have a fortnight's work to do. And in
two or three years, you know, / shall
be through" She looked at her sweet
lnea rf wit, Il.
thusiasm. Say. Frank, wen be mar
ried a the Abbey, if the trick comes off,
All the time young DIR. Fraser looked
thoughtfu1ly out of the window.
IF you won't say another word about
it, he remarked. eff you'll just let
me say this:''
eco on, DEAR said Miss Perks She
and Mrs. Waldershare rose she
spoke. and The men rose, too.
THAT I'd give everything, every
thing that possess in the world" said
Fraser, still looking hard out of the
window, eff it would only induce you
to give it up
She came to him.
my dear boy" she said. that can't
be; but you're just the sweetest fellow
to say SO. and-and shall think of you
dreadfully."
Mrs. Waldersllarc had scribbled fur
lively note on the menu which she
came back to show the young fellow.
'.B efore forget it, Frank" said the
little woman, lis this the right way to
spell compete aux fruits?"
Under the item was her penciled
message:
meet me in half IN hour in the read
ing ROOM"
YES said DR.. Fraser, II think
that's right"
The two men had their smoke and
their coffee. and at the appointed time
HNrsxar ~
leaving old Mr. Perks, went into the
reading room.
He found Mrs. Waldershare there,
and for five minutes their heads were
very close together. They talked
spiritedlly and seemed to be arguing
with much good humor.
Presently they changed their seats |
and sat behind a screen in the corner !
near the window. Then Mrs. Valdez
share gave confidential message to !
one of the attendants.
In u few minutes Wilhclmina entered |
the room. She was tall, striking girl, |
and everybody looked up from the |
evening papers as she came.
I'm that corner, L Think said the |
man. carefully; II think 1 saw them go |
there, just behind the screen, miss
: Miss Wilhelmina walked across the |
large, thiclly-carpeted room to the |
place Indicated. The two familiar /
VOICES Game 10 neT cur, anu UHeTe was l
in the voice of the little widow un- |
earnest a ring that Wilhelmina |
paused involuntarily.
..You don't know, Frank, how much 1
love you,'' she heard Mrs. Valdez |
share Say. She was speaking very dis
tinctly. you don't know, and until
now you have. perhaps, never guessed
that you are everything to me. You
will call me unwomanly; perhaps some
might coll me shameless; but can't l
help It May I--may ask you to give
me one prosuiseP"
sss'rcM me what It is,n said the voice |
a DY. FtsAss, hvArse)y. !