The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-08-18

duu MIS- OO1Ouol OuduSul0y gave moJOI
Essex no peace of his life. He must ride
with her. He must escort her hither
and yon. He must go with her to select
Der new pony phaeton. In fact, she
found herself unable to transact the
commonest item of business without
Major Essex.
So it happened that when she went
to buy set of ermine furs Major Essex
was her unwilling companion.
tIt's the last time, >" thought the ma
jor to himself; cit must be the last
time or she will marry me before I
know it.
Mrs. Changhley was very hard to suit
in the matter of furs, and when at last
she found set which she liked it proved
to be too small round the neck.
"We can have it altered in a minute,
ma 'am," said the polite salesman.
Zone of our young women can fix it
while you wait Miss Carson-here-
send Estelle to mep'
And light, pretty little figure glid-
ed in, dressed in somewhat shabby
mourning. Major Essex sat by the win
dow, looking absently out into the
street, but as the work girl attempted
to remove the fur wrapping from Mrs.
Colonel Changhley's neck q pin at her
wrist caught in the widow 8 lace collar.
"You awkward, clumsy thingr' al
most screamed Mrs. Colonel Changhley,
and then she checked herself abruptly,
remembering the presence Of Major Es-
sex.
ind
indeed did not intend it." faltered .
sweet, low voice, which made Essex
start round as if a finger of fire had
smitten his ear.
"Estelle DaytonP'
"Oh, Major Essex, is it your'
Estelle colored and then grew pale
the snowy little circlet of fur dropped
from her fingers to the floor.
"Miss Dayton-if you pleasep' began
Mr.. Mink of the firm of Mink q Fur
tail. And Estelle, catching up the er-
mine collar, murmured word or two
of apology and escaped from the room.
$50 you're acquainted with the
young womanp' said Mrs Colonel
Changhley little superciliously.
''The young fady's father, " said Es-
sex coldly, twas one of my oldest
| friends and one of the wealthiest oiti-
zens of Florida before this unhappy war
desolated all ranks of life. Mr.. Mink,
will you oblige me with Miss Dayton's
address?'
And Mrs. Changhley wished she had
not insisted on Major Essex's company
during the fur seeking expedition.
/ 7 L. l. A.
suppose business hours were over, to the
place named by Mr.. Mink, but his expe.
dition was in vain. Miss Dayton was
not at home.
| "Home, what contrast was this to
the cool veranda and wide halls of Day
toms place. Essex's heart sank within
him as he looked round at the carpet
less floors and rickety stairs Of the
third rate boarding house.
Half an hour later he was sitting in
his private parlor at the De L'Orme ho-
tel smoking meditative cigar when the
waiter knocked at the door and ushered
in slender figure in black. Essex flung
his cigar into the fire and sprang mp
with glad countenance.
"Estellel / have been to your house
| to find you, but without success"
"We worked late tonight" she said
quietly, "and the late hours and con-
stant confinement are killing me. Major
Essex, have a favor to ask Of you for
the sake of old times'
He had drawn forward chair for
her, into which she wearily sank.
''It is already granted, Estelle."
81 wish to beg of you to use your in
fluence to obtain me the situation Of
companion or seamstress-to-to your
wife,
"To my wife, Estelle? But I am not
married
The rosy scarlet suffused Estelle Day
toms cheek.
"That lady in the black silk dress
was she not your wife?''
"No, nor likely to be, hope, " Essex
answered, with slight grimace. but,
Estelle, though I do not happen to be
married, that's no reason why should
not want companion and seamstress.
Dear Estelle, will you come to me and
be my wife?"
"But, Major Essex'-
81 know l am 15 years older thar
you, but am not an old man yet, and
believe have loved you longer than
} can remember"
'It is not that-oh," sobbed Estelle
!. cit is not that But only am not good
. enough for you, dear friend"
Mrs. Colonel Changhley was highly
, scandalized at the whole affair ani
positively declined to attend the wed
! ding or visit the bride, but Mrs. Majol
Essex somehow has contrived to survive
, her neglect and has grown fairer thar
ever in the sunshine of her husbands
love, and the shadows through which
she has passed only added new bright
ness to her present life.