The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-07
LIES LOTTERY.

orphan sought to earn her living by work
ing as a designer in wall papers. This
hurt the feelings of her fashionable oous-
ms, the PerciVals, with the exception of
young Tom, who admired her greatly
Mr.. DEresby, millionaire, wanting de-
signs for an elegant house he was about
to build, was referred to Mary, and; step
ping to her table;
fare you the drawing girIS'' he de-
manded somewhat brusquely.
Eyes, sir, am, - said Mary demurely.
"Well," said Mr.. D'Eresby after a mo-
ment's survey of the work upon which
she was engaged, IT believe you're the
very one to carry out my ideas. Ny car
riage is at the door. Get into it,
Mary, bewildered, was whirled up Fifth
avenue by the side of man who talked
of Michael Angelo, Raphael and Leonardo
da Vinoi as If they we're people he had just
met at DelmODico's. 1t was very strange;
but, after all. there was an element OF
''niceness'' about it, Mary Leslie had
had dearth of adventures in her life up
TO the present date, and here seemed the
dawning promise OF one.
Mr.. D'Eresby's sudden Rpparition on
the matrimonial horizon caused no incon-
siderable sensation, as may readily be con-
jectured, and half the manageable young
ladies in New York prepared their arrowy
smiles and glanees for his heart, among
others Josephine Pereival.
81 must marry rich, argued that young
lady, "for I have such expensive tastes,
and should SO enjoy a handsome home.
I'm sure I M as good looking as the aver
age, with q little lily powder and my hair
nicely crepe, and there's no reason I
shouldn't win the prize. At all events,
III have a try"
CHATS it," said Tom sOornfully. go
in and win"
cival, sonlew hat discounted.
II may be a goose answered Tom,
"but I amt girl, glory be thankedI
What fools they all are-except Polly Les
lie"
Miss Percival was introduced by dint of
special maneuvering that very evening to
Mr.. d Eresbv and congratulated herself
ON making considerable Roadway in the
good grRces of that extremely eligible gem
tleman. And as time went on appear
ances grew more and more favorable. Mr..
D Eresby was evidently amused by her
aFtless prattIe and Esping observations,
and it was surely but one step from amuse-
ment to devotion. To be sure, he never
said anything that she could really con-
strue into special meaning on the matri-
mOnial question, but as long as time and
the dictionary were open to him who knew
what might next transpire? Mrs. Percival
began gravely to consider the relative
merits of satin and reps silk for wedding
dress and to wonder whether Mrs. Parker
next door would consent to allow door
TO be cut through into the apartment ad-
joining the dining room in case of a crowd
at the bridal reception, while Tom,
shrewdest of them all, bit the end of his
slate pencil and grinned like an African
gorilla.
One beamy summer morning Miss Per-
cival made one of a party of ladies who
were admitted to visit the elegant D Eres-
by mansion, now just on the verge of COM
pletion. Josephine was in high spirits, of
course.
''He certainly must have meant some
thing" thought Josephine, or he never
would have asked me so particularly to
come and look at the rooms.
Whether Mr. D Eresby's meaning" APP
piled equally to the seven other maidens
and the two blooming widows who accom-
panied her Miss Peroival, not being of a
strictly logical nature, never paused to
consider.
Chow do you like this roomY" asked
Mr.. D'Eresby as they paused in one which
looked as much like the heart of bluebell
as a furnished apartment well could do.
A velvet carpet in shaded azures-a blue
paper strewn with tiny fern leaves in gold,
blue satin chairs and ceiling just tinted
with the pale cerulean of the midday sky
it preserved a strange and pleasing in
dividuality in every feature and corner.
'Oh, it's bee-yu-ti-fuII' murmured
Josephine, clasping her kid gloved hands
in a species of ladylike ecstasy.
81 am glad you like it, said D Eresby,
moving back a tiny marble statuette Of
Eurydice and critically adjusting an
aquarium in the window. ''This is to be
Mrs. d Eresby's sitting room"
"Your mother2" asked Josephine, smil
lngly interested.
''No-my wife. -
ine, making little dive at him with her
lace fan. You know very well you're
not married. 3"
At shall be very soonP
Miss Percival blushed. The seven
other young ladies looked enviously at
her, and the two widows tossed their
heads and mutvered something about "art-
full minxes," while Mr.. D'Eresby threw
open door leading to suit of rooms
painted and pRneled in green and silver.
The first apartment, evidently a sitting
room, was not empty. A girl in a plain
gray walking dress stood in front OF one
Of the malachtte mantsls, making some
little drawing or memorandum on the
back of a letter. She turned as the party
flowed into the room, and Josephine Per-
cival stood face to face with her cousin,
Mary Leslie.
you needn't stare so, Joe," said Tom
Percival, who was looking over the shout
der or the young artist. It's Polly Les
lie, and she designed all these wall paper
patterns-yes, every one of them"
''Who9' inquired Mrs. Thaddeus Tor
rington, the prettiest of thu two widows.
Miss Percival turned away with a face
the color Of new mahogany.
''It's-only designing girl thRt-that
mamma has employed at different times"
faltered Josephine, secretly resolving that
the offending artisaness should have such
q talking to- this evening as she should
not soon forget.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Peroival, "
said Mr.. D'Eresby, catching her words