The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-03
ENGAGED.

Oh ~ years IN single n1gnt, as q cOOFd
de capello sheds his skin.
But, upon the whole, was very glad
that had instructed Swiggs, real estate
agent, to invest s12, 600 in a desirable
country home. Swiggs had shown good
taste, only it was lonely.
"Jones, said I TO my faetotum, ff7hu
owns the property next door?''
Don't know" Jones answered sue
cinctly.
81 think shall lay out croquet lawn
and build boathouse, Jones'"
Jones stared at me. ''There amt moth
in like corn and potatoes for good payin
crops SIR
JONES' cried, "you are an icono-
clastr'
"No, sir I ain't,' said Jones, highly
scandalized. 81 don't put no faith in none
Of them new systems of agriculture
left to him to make out an order fot
nobody knows how many carloads Of
plaster and guano and strolled down to look
at my neighbors fernery.
To my surprise, I perceived that tho
fernery was not unoccupied this golden
July morning. A young lady was there,
working diligently with little trowel.
had come so directly upon her that
there was no loophole of retreat. So
stood my ground bravely and said, GOOD
morning.
''Good morning." she answered 81
suppose you are my new neighbor, Mr..
Raymond
~ have that honor, - said, bowling po-
.1itely. "Your father has a fine place here"
81 have no father - answered the spirit
of the flowers.
81 beg your pardon. should say your
husband. -
"Nor husband either''
t'May say your brother?'' 1 persisted,
feeling hot all over, but sticking braYely
TO my guns.
'tNot if you have any regard for the
strict truth, she answered, with a sort of
demure enjoyment of my perplexity. 81
never had either brother or sister. Now,
don't guess any more, and 1 will intro
duce myself I am the owner of this
place, and my name is Bertha Joycelyn."
I started little. Bertha Joycelynl"
This, then, was the flancee of Richmond
Kent, the wealthy broker, of whose eccen-
tricity and talent l had heard so much.
Truly Kent had chosen well.
We went together over the fairy do
mains. We investigated the conservato-
ries, tested the gold and purple contents of
the graperies and looked at the gardens.
The house itself was all verandas and
awnings and cool glimpses of futtering
muslin curtains and cream colored mat
ting, but the grounds were like chapter
out of the arabian Nights
If you will come over tomorrow, and if
you aren't afraid of mosquitoes and sun
burn, - said Miss Joycelyn Independently,
"I'Il take you down the river to my water
lily plantation.
'sWith pleasure Shall bring Jones
! along to row us?''
/ ''Thanks, 3" with little shrug OF tho
white muslin shoulders. II always row
/ myself"
! felt myself nobody I would straight
way begin to practice with the oars, in
wardly decided. A girl to excel me in
manly sports Never
As l sat on my piazza that evening puff
/ 6ng my solitary cigar I thought with q
singular pang what fortunate fellow
Kent was. A wife like thatl What moro
could Il man need?
1t was a sultry September afternoon
when met him on Broad street. The city
seemed hotter, dustier, moro intolerable
| than ever. 1 wondered how men could
breathe and thrive in an atmosphere like
! that and secretly lOnged for the time to
| come in which 1 might bury myself once
more in my rural solitude
Hello, Raymond! Why, where have
| you been hiding all this timer"
Kent, old fellow, and we shook hands
! in genuine American fashion
% you We USGn luFnJDg OfudI1GuIdl
| farmer, have you? Well, never had any
very great fancy for that kind Of life. Up
on my word, you've grown as brown as a
! berry. Make any stay in town."
| mo; go back tonight"
''Sorry. I should have liked to have you
to dinner at our house this evening; got a
cook who is great, and there's an article
of dry that can really depend upon. Be
sides I should have liked to introduce you
to Mrs. Kent
''Your mother?''
''No, my wife,
stared vaguely at him.
Married last month-an English girl
without d particle of nonsense about her.
You would like her, Raymond, know. -
And his face beamed as he looked at me.
But-Bertha Joycelyn?'
"Oh, Bertha Joycelynr' He looked a
little discounted. "That's an old affair
She was splendid girl, regular princess,
but we never were suited to each other"
I went home as lightly as if I were
! treadirg on air and surprised her, sitting
by one of the windows, her chin in her
hand and the down falling hair yelling
her face, just as when I had first looked
upon her.
''Berthar'
She started. There were tears on her
cheek in the mellow glow of the harvest
| moon.
Bertha, you have been weepingp'
She tried to smile. IL believe have
been a little low spirited -
Was not this romantic lovemaking to
blossom over Wall street brokers' dry
! life. My old grandmother used to say
there was a romance in every existence,
and believe she was right.-Exchange.
Wanted to Fit His Coan.
There is not in Europe a more nlagnif-
cent burial place than the nausoleum in
the park of Hamilton palace, where the
| late Duke of Hamilton is inferred. This