Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-11-29

enough to the people surrounding her
made up quite a stunning picture.
"a palace in Russial" murmured
one.
"The proprietor requests her incog-
nito be respected" said another.
Diamond mines--think OF i'll"
gasped a third
Il hear she speaks seven languagesl"
only four trunks. but ten are to
follow"
"a maid2 No. Just an eceentrielty
OF royaltyl"
All, but the two weeks that followed
were a golden fortnight in the life Of
Cora Dobsonl Such a train OF admir-
ers as followedin her wake. The dances
at the hotel which she honored by her
presence were packed to suffocation
with visitors from other resorts. She
ignored or denied haughtily any refer
ence to her exalted station. This re-
ticence but corroborated the rumors
current concerning her. Then there
was the great box of hothouse flowers
which came over on the boat from Chi
cago every day, sent, IL was declared,
by the diplomatic representative of her
country in the States. Not that any
one was quite sure as to which country
claimed so dazzling a daughter-not
that this mattered.
But in the midst Of all the crush and
gay doings one little girl was sad, one
confding heart was heavy. For Harris
Fenwick had deserted lisa Verden open
ly, recklessly, almost insolently. After
all his assiduous attentions to her, his
passionate glances, his lingering hand
clasps, his attitude OF tender appro-
priation, his whispered words of ad-
miration. he had ceased to offer her
more than the most perfunctory cour-
tesy. He had flung himself headlong
into the service Of the mysterious
stranger Of reputed fabulous wealth.
All his gamester blood was boiling.
He was playing for high stakes-the
highest which had ever come his way.
And, indeed. to no other did the dis
singuished lady show such leniency-
one might almost say such encourage
ment-as to him. She was even gracl-
GUS enough to confide In him. She had
heard he was a lawyer She needed ad-
vice. She. with some embarrassment.
had property In south Africa. She was
thinking Of sending a reliable man
to protect her interests there. He had
heard she was a princess No, Indeed.
Yes. he was right in supposlRe Devere
to De an assumed name. but she waE
quite free personally. No, there couId
be no Interference in her disposal of
her property. nor-with a modest su,fl.
In her matrimonial decision, He |
should know more later. The conysr- |
sation had taken place In a secluded |
corner of the yeranda, and. according |
to agreement. the young fellows who |
had dubbed Miss Dobson Carmen" in |
the old time stood In the shadow ana
dug each other In the ribs, writhed in |
delight, and nearly exploded with SUBJ
pressed mirth.
II Fenwick ignored lisa in those DAYS |
Jack Lindsay did not. He constituted |
himself her faithful knight. He was
a splendid young fellow, brave enough
for a lovers part" and unconsciously
she came to look for him, to depend |
on him, and to love him. And she told
him go one night when he had made
a clean breast Of his life's desire.
But" she faltered, you ought to
know that was beginning to care-to
think / cared for Harris Fenwick!"
The poor devili" he said, and
laughed. She wondered why.
That same week the charming
stranger took an abrupt and unex-
planned departure. Lindsay and YER
den saw her on.
I've had a rattling good tirne,
-hanh TO you both.v she said.
Thanks. too. for the fiowersl"
You earned themi" they cried.
II was Sam vino. On thhsiT TstuFn to
Chicago, asked Lindsay and Fenwick
o lunch with him one day. 1T isn't
swell place." he said, ''but they've
sot nne-looklng cashier. III intro
luce you, Harris" Harris. who prided
iifnself On being a lady-killer, smiled
nd consented. But when the three
lnsd up before the cashiers desk he
ave q sudden squeal and went white
= chalk.
"Mu. Dsysrsl" he panted.
Dear. mol Mia Dobsonl You re-
MEMBER ] told you Deyers was an as
amed name. Thank you 20 much for
nthA@s lovely drives end boat ridas.