The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-01-17

WIFI UOylSu cuBeTueSS, tuAS 10 MASS
Rosine Wilde"
"Wilde!" The old gentleman started
perceptibly. He looked at the BLUSH
ing girl-at tho yellowish gown. He
bowed.
And" avowed young Rodney. send.
ing his sweetheart a swift smile of en-
couragement, ''and-the young lady Of
whom spoke to you"
"Oh!" exclaimed Albert Ellsworth.
Then, interrogatively: wilde? Was
your fathers name Clayton Wilder"
Rosinc assented.
And your mothers maiden name
was Magnolia Kingsley3"
"Oh! dear, no. Aunt Magnolia was
never married. My mothers name was
Madeline Kingsley"
"Eh?" cried the dragon.
The forid color had faded from his
checks. He was tugging nervously at
his dark mustache. He looked agitated
and perplexed.
"iIy mother died ten years ago."
said Rosine. land since then have
lived with Aunt Magnolia"
Mr.. Ellsworth regarded her grimly.
us that" he asked, abruptly, "your
aunt's gown you have on?"
The soft rose fire in the girls cheek
deepened.
How in the world did you know"
she counter-questioned.
A queer, wavering smile was his
only reply.
A constrained silence ensued. Cyril
gave his uncle an astonished glance.
$50 Magnolia is an old maidP" said
Mr.. Ellsworth, abruptly.
IF she is," cried Rosine, stung to
defense by a remark she considered
rude, ''it is because she was true to a
lover who proved unworthy Of her!'
"Ehw calculated Mr.. Ellsworth,
more sharply than before. And sud.
denly he turned and walked away.
The following day he insisted on &C.
companying his nephew to the gaunt,
ramshackle, once aristocratic old house
in the French quarter. where Rosine
lived. Ae they were passing the vault
ed entrance to the little tagged court
yard, Albert Ellsworth caught sight of
familiar figure moving among the
potted palms and boxes Of blooms
Go on. lad!' he said to Cyril. He
had paused, and was looking through
the brief avenue of gloom to the
brightness beyond.
Cyril was about to question this new
vagary, when the thought of peculiar
possibility made him catch his breath
and do as hidden. He knocked at the
barred black door, and was admitted
to Rosine's radiant presence. And
meanwhile his uncle went into the
courtyard. The little old lady stand
ing by the banana tree looked at the
sound of the step on the stones.
"Magnolia!" he cried.
Miss Magnolia gazed at him in a
de- 2zed, half-frightened way. Did ghosts
ever appear in the daytime? Stouter
than he whom she had known, and
with hair grown gray; but the same.
Around her, in fantastic dance, the
broken fountain, the long-leaved
banana tree and the giant oleanders
went whirling. She didn't faint, but
she came nearer to it than she ever had
come in her life.
did you think had deserted you,
Magnolia? When 1 left you to 60
north on business, believed in you as
I've never believed in anyone since.
And while away heard and read that
you had married that young Wilde
used to be SO jealous Of So went to
Europe. And stayed there"
But Clayton Wilde married Made.
line. always told you he came to
Sc her."
Yes, know that-now. l was
fool to have been so easily convinced
of your falsity. You haven't changed
a bit. knew you the moment saw
you"
Miss Magnolia smiled delightedly.
She did not know he had expected to
see her.
81 never forgot the dress you wore
the last time saw you," declared Mr..
Ellsworth, waxing fervent. II recog.
nized it on your niece last mig ht."
Last night! Are you-surely you
are not the dragon?"
"Wha-at?"
"The-the dragon!" faltered Miss
Magnolia.
Mr.. Ellsworth still looked blank.
That" murmured the little lady,
feeling she was in for it, and might as
we'll make clean breast, twas what
Rosine and called Cyril's uncle. And
Rosine was going to conquer him"
He burst out laughing
"Wcli, she did. The boy shall marry
Madeline's pretty daughter. And you.
Magnolia-you'll marry mel"
"Oh, dear, no! I'm too old
mot day."
UAnd ,1Oly-now
"Loveliest woman in the world "a
me-" insisted the dragon. loyalty.
"Bless you, my children, ,"cried Z
voice from above.
The pair in the courtyard glanced
up. On one of the inner balconies
stood Rosina and Cyril
Vanish, you scamps!" roared the
dragon.
II shan't allow you to marry south
erp girl, sirl" shouted back Cyril, as hi
and Rosine beat brisk retreat
Laughing and breathless they faced
eauh other In the old drawing-room
Everything 10 lovely. sweetheart
| cried Cyril in an ecstasv.-Peninaula n,