Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-09-02

tured MIN to be; on the contrary, his
attitude toward the young lion of the
season was courtesy and gsniality it.
self.
"Ah! my daughter tells me she met
you in Paris" he remarked. zone Of
the first to discover your genius,
believe? Elsie's a dear girl, my dear
sir!"
"She isl" assented Mark. earnestly.
always a dutiful girl, and prize
worth the winning" continued MI
Renton, briskly. 'It's pity we're
to lose her so soon-but there! the
men, the men! was young myself
once"
"You mean some one will fall in
love with herr" queried Jermyn, anx-
iously.
.Has fallen in love. Scores of them.
By the way, there she is with Lord
Mapleson.
Mark Jermyn turned and followed
the others glance to where Elsie stood
talking with the man he had noticed
but a few moments before.
care they"
Engaged, my dear sir, engaged. And
to be married shortly. My wife's a
wonderful woman; she's arranged it
ALL"
Marks first impulse was to flee, but
he resolved to learn the truth from
Elsie's lips first. At last he caught
her glance. following her into small
ante-room leading from one Of the
principal apartments. When the door
closed, he took her hand, and looked
into her eyes.
Elsie" he asked els it true?" j.
She avoided his gaze.
SIS what true?" she murmured.
"That you're engaged to Lord Ma
pleson?"
Her eyes filleS with tears and she
turned toward him passionately.
mol" she said vehemently. Hes
asked me frequently, but I've always
refused But mamma insists, and the
rumor we're engaged is about already.
Oh, Mark! Mark" With an outstretch-
ing of her arms that was irresistible;
whats to be done?"
He took her into his arms.
'You love me, what is to prevent
our happiness?'
''Mother-sIe insists Father I
know, would rather I married a man
of my choice"
"And I insist On you marrying mel"
he cried earnestly. THAT is, if you're
willing to become the wife of non
entity?"
The looked UP quickly.
''Who is the nonent:ty?" she asked.
"You, the clever artist or"-with a
gesture of disdain-"Lord Mapleson?"
"Than, darling" he cried, eff your
mother will not consent, it must be
runaway match. You're sure you don't
mind intrusting your happiness to
me?'
mo, indeed, Mark, no! l love you,
oh! heaps more than 1 did two years
ago, and that's som ething, isn't it?''
He admitted that it was, and kissed
her, when some or > calling Elsie, she
had to leave. Mark strolled back to the
drawing room with a lighter heart.
Some one was asking Mr. Rentor
whether Jermyn was to play; the host
shrugged his shoulders, but the must
clan at once interrupted with the re.
mark he should only be too delighted.
A move was made to the piano. while
all voices were hushed as it became
known that the great Jermyn was at
the instrument. He ran through sew
eral of his better known things in
succession, playing as he had never
played before, his audience spellbound
and enruptured. The applause at his
conclusion, unlike most drawing room
applause, was for once sincere.
Mr.. Renton was profuse in his
thanks and then his less genial wife
inquired as a special favor, whether
he would give them a novelty.
"a novelty?" repeated Mark, anxious
to please his prospective parent. "Ah,
yes! I had almost forgotten. Today's
the twenty-second, isn't it? There is
one thing l only play once year, and
always on the twenty-second of this
month"
The last notes of the song were grad
ually dying away when all at once
there was a tense scream from a dis
tant corner of the room.
All turned and saw that Mrs. Rem
ton had tainted.
A few days later Mark Jermyn call
ed to inquire after Mrs. Renton, whom
it was understood was seriously i'll.
The young fellow was at once shown
into Mr.. Renton's study, where the
millionaire greeted him cordially.
/. my dear Mr.. Jermyn," he said,
you're the very man l wish to see!
You remember the effect your wonder
full playing produced on my wife the
other EVENING""
Unfortunately" responded the ia.
nous musician. Believe me, I'm ex-
ceedingly sorry"
Its not your fault, nay boy" he