The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-06-14
AT THE sign
OF SAINT LILAC.
How u Go Between Made
Two Matches Instead
of One.
Observation-Disclosures q Ss.. a,

q of One.
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| had paced the close cut sward at
least dozen times. The sun was al
ready turning his fiery eye toward the
west. 1t was not my lady's way to be
unpunctual, and, seeing the nature of
her business had not looked for delay.
Each time | passed the lilac bush
paused, fancyins l heard the scrunch Of
her tiny shoes over the loose gravel path
that led down from the house. And
again and again was | disappointed. The
hour grew near.
| fumhled in my bosom for her letter,
to make certainty of the matter. |
muttered over the words to myself; but
had no need to hesitate upon them for
my lady's fingers could grasp the pen
with lucidity Of expression and com.
Portable style that in the broad noontide
was rs good as, nay, better than, any
clerks, 1t ran:
Your request is a strange one dear friend. but
l will do myself the pleasure OF talking with vou
at the Sign Of Saint Lilac The place is wei
chosen think, and the hour propitious. Beau
clerc will be tayoraby impressed with nv poo,
looks, have no doubt despite the cold light Of
O'Clock. What made you choose such an hour
save that you a man? Still il is like yoili
kind heart TO be scheming for my better fortune
and | will marry your good Bcauclerc. provide,
he will have me and like the trim OF his beard
| kiss the page-here. Deliver the message faith
FULLY or expect no mercy from your little friend
AUDREY.
l had told her t O'clock so that might
enjoy full hours speech with her my
self and make quite clear the nature of
the thing-that BeaucleYc. my friend. was
an honest and an amiable man and actu.
atcd by no unworthy motive in thus lcav-
ing me master of his choice in regard to
a wife. had felt ditIidence in the husi.
ness at first, but when | bethought me Of
poor little Audrey-so lonely and SO com.
fortress up at the big house-my heart
had swelled with a monStrous pity, and
had undertaken the commission at a
breath.
Beauclerc lad reasoned with me thus
that | tbclnS a poorer man and consc-
quently more honest than hcl should
know better of a fitting helpmate for his
declining years. "One must have a wo-
man about the house. friend John" he
had concluded. 'at the last IT'S i'll 90.
ing out of the world leaving behind no
one to fight over your fortune or carry on
the name, and | will be docile old
beast in harness do YOU but find me
gentle and patient lady. Nay marriage
is all a lottery; would have you choose
for me. so that | can have the small con.
ISOLATION of not blaming myself overmucb
should the venture prove failure. Din
your hand in Dame Fortunes lucky bas
and draw prize. friend John. for me"
80 had mentally decided upon Audrey. !
though | could have wished to have
been dipping" for myself But | want |
ed to make life hrighter-not worsc-for
my lady and SO banshed the thought ~.
best could. But the pricking was there
nevertheless.
| glanced at the sundial. 1t was nigh
on to >, Beauclcrc might come at any
moment. 1t was certainly most provok- |
ing. dug my heels ycngcfu!ly into the /
turf and had venturcd lust like n wo. /
man. hctwiXt my set teeth when of a /
sudden heard a quick, impatient step. |
and my tryst was at an end. How .
latc"%
| stopped. 1t was not Audrey after
all, but stranger. | bowed stifly and /
began IN apology
'Sir,' said the fair unknown, cutting |
me very short, do | address a friend Of
George RcauclcrcW
Madame" replied |. with my hes,
bow. 1T is my good fortune to name that /
gentleman ON the list of my acquaint.
anccs."
Perhaps | should have said the
friend continued She, with 4 hcighten
ing color. ] noticed her looks more mar
roWly now that we stood side toy side in
the shade Of the lilac She was older
than my lady, aud there was n line
'tWi&t her white brows that toll of
history set she was of a trim build ana
very beautiful siIl. Meanwhile She
eyed me with di.'idoucc. Il scarce know
how 20 make my crrand clear to Won
sir she went on presently, "hut yau
have, If rumar lies not, delicate com
mission Of Your friend Beauclcrc upon
your hands,"
| bowed again
We were formerly acquainted" she
said and paused But like most friend.
ships, ours had an end. Sir. cannot Won
guess what | am at SO much trouble 10
make clear! Has George never oven
mentioned to you SO little as my namc?o
Madame, said |, 'if so be Won are tho
lady through whom my friend Bcauclcrc
so nearly lost his life. viii be candid
with YOU. In stating the nature of tho
commission with which | have tho honor
OF being muusted my friend expressed
one conditiou-that the lady who would
consent to his proposals should not be OF
the same name yourself"
But If il were an a mi4tnko?" che