The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-10
Sir Brains Fancy

II was a boy who awoke her. He rushed
into the room and shouted at her in the
abrupt manner common to small brothers:
molly, what do you think? Sir Brian
Rosymore is coming to dinner on Satur-
day."
You're joking"
''No-honor bright"
'We'u go and look at him through the
window. Bobby
'I shall, but you're to have a new frock,
made long, and go down to dinner. because
the Baronet saw you in church last sun
day and told father you were very pretty.
What are you getting SO red far"
did he really say he thought I was
pretty?" said the girl in tone of breath
less delight. 20. Bobby
For several months past Molly had been
agitating to have her dresses heightened,
bus as there were SIX girls, and she was
only the fourth, her mother mad firmly re-
fused to allow her to become grown-up till
some of her sisters were disposed Of by
marriage.
Nature had not intended Mrs. Thorne for
a worldly woman, but necessity was fast
making her one AS the the mother Of
nine children and the wife of struggling
doctor she often found it difficult to make
both ends meet
Molly donned her gown on the important
Saturday, and was escorted to the door
by her faithful ally, Bob. She stopped
short On the mat.
He has come" she whispered. Il snail
never be able to go in"
''Nonsense." sad the boy, valiantly.
But Molly refused to make an entry.
till her brother, whose patience was soon
exhausted, softly turned the handle and
gave her gentle push, which had the
effect Of lurching her into the middle OF
the room in a most undignified way.
Her face famed scarlet she could feel
all eyes fixed upon her in the greatest
astonishment, then her mothers voice.
family reproachful, said:
"Sir Brian, this is my daughter, Marga-
ret"
Perhaps the Baronet saw that the girl
was unaccustomed to society and pitied
her. He rarely spoke to her during the
evening, although his eyes rested on her
face with evident admiration.
But when the met by chance the next
morning in the village street he turned
and walked beside her.
She was not so shy now that no watch
full eyes were there to note her solecisms,
and ii was astonishing how easy she
found it 10 talk to this good looking young
fellow with the kindly eyes.
The Thornes saw a great deal of Sir
Brian after that. Almost every day ne
found some excuse to call, and the girl
grew to look forward to his coming, and
to feel absurdly disappointed II he failed
20 put IN an appearance.
"He must care for the child. else why
Is he here so often?" Mrs. Thorne said
in confidence TO her husband
"My dear" he answered, II shouidn''
build too much on 1t if 1 were you. It's
too good to be true"
But Molly was allowed to go to the dance
gwen by Lady Conyers.
Brian met them at the head of the stairs
on the eventful evening, and introduced
them to his aunt.
The night passed all too quickly, and II
was already late when, feeling rather
tired, she seated herself beside her mother
Ready to go home, dear?" Mrs. Thorne
inquired.
After this next dance, mother" she
said, looking at the Baronet's illegible
scrawl on her program.
Suddenly Lady Conyer's voice in conver
sation with some one became audible from
the other side of clump of palms.
"Preposterous. my dear Mrs. Craig,
she said. Brian is enga ged-at least N
| will be when we return to town shortly
| to Lucie Maddox. He's simply amusin:
| himself, as usual. He Is such a dreadful
! f.rt."
Mrs. Thorne turned to the girl. She hat
whitened to the lips; her brow was burn
ing. her hands were icy cold
90, mother!' she murmured. take M
home
'Molly, what have I done?"
Hush" she cried. You have no righ
| to call me that.''
''Then. give me the right; there is moth
| ing 1 desire more"
| How dare you call me so when vol
are engaged to another woman? Let m
pass, sir, at oncei"
| mot till you have explained your words
| Another woman? What on earth do yol
mean?'
| 'You pretend you don't know" sh
| cried, her childish voice trembling wit
| indignation, "and 1 heard your aunt sa.
last night that you were going to MARI,
Miss Maddox"
| MY aunt must have been temporary
| forgetful of the fact that her pet dream
| was not reality when she made such
| ridiculous assertion. You believe me, don
| you?"
Apparently she did, for half an hour late
they walked in together, radiant with hap
| p;pess, and ring was flashing on her lef
| hand.
| Bobby's lack OF surprise at the news wa
explained during the day by piece of az
vice he gave them although it proved use
| full in the future, covered the girl wiz
| confusion and sent Brian into fits Of Tough
| ter.
81 say. Molly" the boy said gravely
'I shouldn't make love in the orchard
! were you, because any one can see yo
| from the school-room window"
Mates From the Orient