The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-12-20

was removed, fresh color in his cheeks and
an apparently ingenious, easy manner.
She judged him to be, perhaps, one and
twenty.
Dolores, after Max's introduction to hor,
took her friends hand, saying;
"Come, now, want my little mamma to
see you"
"Who is your little mamma and wherein
replied he, still looking down at her, and
affecting to be unaware Of Natalie's pres
ence.
"Why. there she Is. Don't you see heri'
Looking up, hastily, the young man blushed
thank Heaven this was genuine and stands
out like a refreshing, green oasis in the des-
ert of all his other artificial, cutand-dried
actions), appeared surprised, and quickly
and rather awkwardly pulled of his hat and
bowed.
Natalie looked puzzled. And she was dis
turbed Where had she seen that brow and
those eyes before. They both were strange
1y familiar.
However, ere she had time to continue
her reflection, the hat was replaced, and
Arthur Fairfax came forward, and smiling
~ said:
'This little fairy has dragged me, willy
nilly into the presence Of q stranger who, l
trust, appreciates my situation, and will
pardon this seeming intrusioni"
What pleasant voicel Natalie saw
on closer inspection that he was much older
than at first sight he had appeared. She
now overshot the mark, and called him
thirty.
In reply to his remark, she answered,
simply and quietly;
~ think you must be the gentleman who
has captured Dolores heart"
"Ahl" queriei he laughing ~ can't say
as to that. But do know that I'm one Of the
individuals whose heart Dolores has capt
ured'
Natalie smiled and Dolores turned her at
tcntion to Max, having overcome her fears
of that large animal
sYes,n continued the stranger, II came
here day or two ago to hunt for roll of
music that Loss somewhere about here,
and while was searching, met this young
fairy
"Was it manuscript" eagerly interrupted
INaalie,
alt was,n promptly responded the other,
feeling that his russo was succeeding.
s'Nas it called Stella Near"
at wos,n again he replied, affecting lit
tile well-feigned establishment at her ques-
ltions and manner.
@Than | have it," continued she, with
Isvident delight. ~ found it here, and, do
tyou know, | like it very much, indeed. Did
Iyou really compose iti You are musical,
then, as well as poeticalF"
| Verify, Mistress Natalie Uss overcoming
Iher men-hating proclivities
Still this was not at al surprising. When
this young man resolved to win the good
Twill of any one, male or female, few reason
liable mortals could resist him. That frank
mess, that apparent simple-mindedness,
threw strsngers OF their gusrd, and ere
lthey knew it, the citadal OF their reserve had
IQuite capitulated.
81 am glad you like It, indeed" answered
The, with slight bow, looking very much
pleased "How fortunate | am to have met
'you For, strangely enough, have been
unable to recall all of either the melody or
the words. May I return with you to the
house and get it,"
''Certainly, - replied Natalie, telling quick
ly into the trap; I'm very glad to have dis
covered its owner"
The ice was now broken.
Fairfax had once more plotted success
fully. Natalie, had She oaly paused to re-
fleet upon her course, might have been sur
,si-sS 20 ss- ;tA lc.s.-- See vas chatting