The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-29
HE. WAS BEWITCHED.

| the ponce reports T2pneF tnAu IL tuV
pages Of this publication. My money
has been obtained from me under false
pretenses; my feelings have been
most cruelty lacerated, and assault
and battery committed on my heart.
| am a young man of good family.
with a handsome allowance and first
rate expectations. ! am captain IN
crack regiment, my height is feet and
my mustache is certainly fetching.
One morning last July, while loung.
ing In my quarters at Dover, and doing
nothing in particular, I received the
following note:
Dear Capt. Branthwyate: We have
all been very busy here getting up a
fancy fair in aid Of the endowment
| fund of a new church at Claycum-
Sickle. Rev. Augustus Needall has
kindly consented to undertake the re-
sponsible duties of the incumbent, but
his principles will not allow him to
enter on his new and arduous sphere
until the endowment fund is completed.
So we want about $40 900 more to make
up nice little income, and build him
commodious parsonage, and then we
shall do charmingly. The day is fixed
for next Thursday. Bring your friends
to lunch at my house and do not fail
Cecilia Pryor.
"Pluckwell, Saturday.
"P. s.-There will be a ball in the
evening at the assembly rooms, for the
same object. Tickets IS. How many
will you have?"
!" Now, l knew Mrs. Pryor for busy.
meddlesome person, but l also knew
that pretty girls were generally to be
met at her house; besides old Pryor
had bin Of champagne in his cellar
that was b. no means to be despised.
So wrosA of forthwith, promising to
bring over half dozen friends, for
whom tickets might be secured.
We reached the large field in which
the tents were pitched-entrance so |
cents, which We paid cheerfully, 1t be- |
ing the first demand. In the field we |
found the usual wheel Of fortune,
gypsy's tent, refreshment stall, and
one large marquee with gayly dressed |
counters, and still more gayly dressed |
girls behind them. Suddenly one Of |
my companions exclaimed: Il
Hello! Branthwyate, look at that |
little creature there, standing on a
chair"
looked around, Of course, little |
thinking what would be the conse-
quence and my gaze was spellbound |
by the sweetest little fairy eyes ever
looked upon. There she stood on
chair before little looking glass, try
ing on pink hood, which she was en-
deavorihg to persuade some idiot to
buy.
My first feeling on seeing her was that
had never truly loved till then, my
second, an almost irresistible inclina.
ton to knock down that driveling ma
MAC who was actually hesitating about
buying the hood He said it would be-
Of no use to him. Fool!
In a moment was beside the chair,
and, speeches with emotion, rendered
IS bill for the precious article.
"Ah! that's capital" she said, with
the sweetest look Of gratitude. why,
Mr.. Screwker has been doubling
whether he would give me SO for it. l
hope you don't want any changer"
"Change!" gasped; "never!"
"Then come to our STALL" she said,
jumping daintily down from her ele-
waited post, land will find some OF
my very own WORK Tor you.
I, Of course, followed her to large
stall, where three other charming girls
and handsome mamma presided, and
Of course gave fabulous price for
cigar case, which she said she had
worked. Il don't believe she had, for
It was hideous.) OF course, too, had to
buy something quite useless of all the
three sisters, and to put it into all the
raftles, winning at last large wax
doll. several sizes bigger than a child
"You make capital shopwoman,"
said
"Ah, yes; have some tolerable
lodges did good business before
you came in faded 10-cent bouquets
which l sold for 81. They were so
worthless that a good many people
gave them back to me and I sold them
over again. I sold one nine times and
made SO by it," and she gave merry
little laugh "at the folly of some peo-
ple," with sly glance at me. l ven.
tured on tender reproach.
And nothing whispered to you to
keep bouquet for me?" "No, indeed,
but can get you rosebud beauty,
if you like"
She soon came running back BREATH
less, her hands full of lovely rosebuds.
Now, what will you give me for
this?"
Anything, everything; all the
money l have left" cried, thrusting
my hands into my pockets. But, alas!
all my searching could not bring to
light more than one miserable scent
piece. Imagine my dsmay!
my dear GIRL" stammered, you ,
see, this is all have left" :
"Oh, you surely can't intend to be so :
mean, when ran all the way up the
garden to fetch them, and pricked my
finger and made 1t bleed?" and she
held out little white, punctured fore |
finger to verify her words. You have c
your WATCH" she added, land you can '
redeem 1t Tomorrow. a
l own felt rather staggered at this, /,
My watch was valuable family relic,
set with brilliants, and on the safety of
which depended the favor of an aged j,
and equity uncle, of grabbed disposition
and enormous wealth. But the blue
eyes were fixed on me and seemed to t
wonder at my delay. I placed my s
watch In one outstretched hand and re-
eived the rosebud from the other. b
Wear it tonight and l will dance 81
With you," she whispered, as our eyes
net for moment. ,
started for the ball at 10 O'Clock. y
ully determined to propose at once. :,
She was late but at last saw her COM u
ng up the stairs, followed by her three 81
listers, with the mamma and the ..
clergyman had seen with them in the
fternoon. II
I seized hold of the first steward I +,
net, and begged him to introduce me
o that young lady" pointing her out :,
The usual formula was pronounced: IL
Capt. Branthwyate-Miss Neyill,"
Vas that the name? I could not be st
ure. had no time to think about It.
or tho waltz began at once, and / -,
eemed to be floating in a sea Of bliss. :"
With an angelin my arms, keeping u
Ime to the music of the spheres.
At last we landed on an out-of-the- dc
ay sora. wHerc resolvea to ss-w ner
, be mine forever. But when l man
sed to stammer out that knew that =.