The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-12
IN THE MOONLIGHT.

hardly know whether was In love
with Pattie Brown or not. She was
one Of those artful, bewitching minxes
who often leave a man In doubt as to
whether his heart 10 captured or only
his head turned.
Pattie would sigh, and languish, and
talk sentimental to my hearts content;
but whenever sought to bring her to
the point and obtain categorical an
swsr, she would dodge the issue with
as much skill as veteran politician.
I was determined, at last, to bring
matters to crisis. The occasion Sc
lected was that Of a grand masked ball,
at which had no doubt Pattie would
be present.
! went so far as to purchase hand
some engagement ring, determined, II
the response were favorable, to place
1t on her finger forthwith, and seal the
compact on the spot.
l got myself up as Romeo, in style
that would have caused the hearts Of
the Montagues to swell with pride and
those Of the Capulets to burst with
envy.
How stunning he looks!" heard
more than once whispered as I roamed
up and down in search of Pattie. But
Pattle was not there, or if she was, her
disguise was too complete to be pene-
trated.
AS walked anxiously about my at
tention was attracted by the most
piquant Of shepherdesses, whose move
ments betrayed a perplexity equal to
my own. AS she passed her steps fall
tered.
Pardon me. sir; ! feel faint" she
murmured, resting her hand upon my
arm as II for momentary support.
ALLOW me to conduct you to the
open air" I answered; ut is quite
suffocating here"
The cool air revived her, and after
short walk through the grounds her
strength and spirits seemed entirely re-
stored.
liCl Sdtloh was FlNdIlouo anu
witty. But when she came to talk Of
the moonlight, and flowers, and poetry,
l found that in the field Of sentiment
she could beat Pattie two to one. In
fact, couldn't help thinking how
tame Pattie's rhapsodies would sound
in comparison with the outbursts Of the
little shepherdess.
In retired nook, almost hidden by
the shrubbery, we found rustic seat,
Of which we took possession, feeling,
or feigning to feel, WEAKNESS after our
walk.
pray remove your mask" l VEN
tured to say at last, first laying aside
my own. II must look upon the face
that mirrors thoughts so divine"
II fear you will be disappointed"
she replied; still, l have nothing to
disguise and If you will dispel the illu-
sion under which you labor the punish
ment be your own"
The features she exposed were Of
surprising loneliness. Just dark
enough to entitle her to be called
brunette, her complexion had that
pearly transparency Of which the pur-
est of blondes can rarely boast. The
contour of her head and face was
faultless.
fairly lost my reason. So the read
er will think when l relate that, with
out further ceremony, threw myself
on my knees to the no small detriment
Of Romeo's finest hose, and, producing
the ring had purchased for Pattie,
incontinently placed it on the shep-
herdess engagement finger. entreat-
ed her to wear it for the sake Of one
thenceforward doomed to be her slave,
and who sought no other boon than
that of dying Of unrequited love.
"Stay-there is one Of my friends"
sprang to my feet, but not before
had imprinted one kiss upon her lips
and clasped her for one brief moment
to my throbbing breast.
AS turned stood confronted by
fierce looking brigand, who, too, was in
a tremor Of emotion.
A nights sleep measurably restored
my senses. When a man has made a
fool of himself over night, it's Won
derful how clearly he feels 1t on wax
ing up in the morning.
My costly ring was gone. The shep-
herdess was gone. And what after all,
had she ever been to mel A fleeting
vision that had crossed my path-a
mere adventures, perhaps. Were Pat
tie Brown and her substantial fortune
to be sacrificed for such a phantom?
Not by man In his sober's senses.
Like an awakened prodigal resolv-
ed to arise and go unto Pattie and have
it out with her at once.
l found her alone and had just be-
gun to repeat for her edification some
of the compliments inspired by the
charms of the little shepherdess the
night before when my eye fell on an
object that struck me dumb. 1t was
the identical ring had given the shep-
herdess on Pattie's finger.
Were you at the ball last night?"
inquired Pattie, seemingly seeking to
relieve my embarrassment.
IL was" stammered, guiltily.
oO was CouSlu CHdTley, Sdlu Tdllle,
with roguish twinkle in her eye.
Cousin Charley?" l repeated. II
haven't the honor to know him."
mo-" replied Pattie, "he only came
yesterday to pay us short visit. You
can't imagine how handsome he isl"
Il dare say not" l answered, dry
ly.
"As pretty as girl" exclaimed Pat
tie with feeling. HE went to the ball
last night as shepherdess," she con-
tinued.
1.-THE de-deuce he did," interrupt
ed.
"Yes,"-and Pattie's eyes twinked
still more-"and one silly fellow, trick.
ed out as Romeo, actually made love to
him and Rugged and kissed him into
the bargain"
l stayed to hear no more. 1t was,
then, Cousin Charley" whom | had
embraced and kissed and made myself
q fool over. And have suspicion to
this day that the Unlocking brigand
was none other than Pattie Brown her.
self.
/ have only to add that Pattie and
cousin Charley were married in less