The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-03-09
ny Emma Garrison Jones.

An autumn sun blaZed above the
Beechwood hills, and tinged the vel
low oak boughs with living gold, as
Arthur Lise rode down the broad ave
nue. which led from his stately old
home toward the village high road.
Standing on the. vine shaded portico,
his mother looked after him with an
anxious expression in her loving eyes.
She was a widow, and Arthur was her
only SON -
Are you quite sure. my boy, that
you have chosen wisely?' she had said
to him. as they parted.
why. mother. to be sure had been
his eager answer. Louise is all that
heart can wish-refned, accomplished,
and very beautiful"
+. And She loves you, Arthur
'She loves me, mother!'
well, 1 hope you won't be dlsap-
pointed. my boy" she murmured, as he
rode off, but I have my fears"
Meanwhile Arthur cantered on his
way in high spirits. When he had per-
tfarmed about half his. journey, he
dropped the reins upon his horses neck
<~anu fell into a. reverie. Presently he
drew a dainty little casket from his
pocket. 1T contained an exquisite
ring. set with an immense fire opal.
surrounded by pearls. The ring had
been in the Lisle family for ages. and
had always been presented as an en-
engagement ring to the fair and favored
woman who had won the hearts Of
the successive heirs of Beechwood.
Arthurs father had given it to his
bride. and from his mothers hands
the son had received it as a sacred me-
mentO, ana now he was taking il with
him to Talbot, to put it on lne slim
finger of the lovely girl who had won
his heart. As he turned it over in the
afternoon sunlight his handsome eyes
grew tender and his bearded lips
tremb1ed like 4 WOmans.
Very brief and very bright was
Arthur Isles lovc-story. Only few
months before, he had attended 4
country fair, which closed with a
grand tournament. There were hun
dreds of daring young knights, who
risked life and limb for the honor OF
browning the queen Of love and beauty;
but Arthur Iisle, the boldest rider in
all that country, outstripped them all,
and won the prize. This prize was a
lovely string Of pearls. and Miss Louise
LenOir, the prettieSt girl in Talbot, was
the queen. The young master of Beech
wood went through the interesting
ceremony of browning Ter golden
dresses with the starry chaplet. and in
doing so. naturally enough, he lost his
heart
Louise was his first love, and he
1oved her blindly. He was utterly be-
witched by the delicate beauty OF hel
primrose face and the azure brightness
of her shy eyes. In one month after
their first meeting they were betrOtheC
lovers.
The red fires of sunset had burnec
out, and the stars We're out in thou
sands in the misty autumn skies, whel
Arthur reached the small suburban
cottage in which the Lenoirs lived
There were lights in the windows, ant
the sound of piano, accompanied By
a sweet. girlish voice, reached his ears
1t was Louise singing With q font
smile at the thought of the little sur
prise he would give her, he fastened
his horse, ard enclosing the little wick
ct, walked up the graveled walk towart
the door. But there possessed by :
- lovers whim, he turned across tn,
grass plot and reached the drawing
had a full view of the apartment
Louise was at the piano. in her prett,
evening dress, with her golden hal
aippling over her white shoulders Blu
she was not alone. A young man o
AN excessively foppish appearance wa
bending over her, and toying with he
curlS. and Louise appeared to take hi
familiarity in good part, and ever an
anon gave him a glance of DeWitchin
Goquetry.
Arthur Lisle was terribly shocked
9le turned short about, and. stridin
back to the door, rang the bell and pre-
scented himself i'll a rather grave an
formal manner. But Louise receive
him with a shy, sweet surprise tina
was irrisistible; and the charm OF he
beauty and vivacity soon banished hi
Jealous doubts. The foppish individlls
having vanished. he had his cfarmer :,
IL to himself, and they wandered OF
into the autumn moonlight hand
hand
Arthur took the little casket from h
pocket, and produced the ring. Il
put it on her finger, kissing the lit
white hand as he did so, and cntreatir
her that the engagement should be
brief one. :" .-'...r...
ring with a critical eye and a lit
llalf- sigh of dissa tisfaction. >.~t
Very WELL" she said; 1--WE no o
lection, and mamma doesn't like lol
engagements vzE.@
Neither do T." cried Arthur, eagerl
You can be ready in a month, kno,
darling? I want you at home befo
Christmas
Louise shrugged her white shoulder
and gave another little sigh
How I do wish we might live
the city. Arthur" she said. 1T mu
be horribly stupid at Beechwood.'
why, my dear" cried the you
man, in amazement; Stupid at Beec
wood! Not a bit. We are within
nice drive Of the city, but we shall ha
every comfort and amusement
acme"
"Oh, yes, l suppose So" assert