The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-04-15


1 was NOT sure he would be 30 highly
fattered IL he knew that he had been
invited to settle a wager and to help
Mary to q little sport.
AS TO the former, / had IN interest
there myself, although I dared not set
tie the question by asking Brandon IL
he played cards and danced, and, as to
the matter OF Mary's sport, 1 felt there
was but little if any danger OF her
having too much OF 1t at his expense,
Brandon being well able to care for
himself I'm that respect.
The next evening at the appointed
time we wendell our way by an upfre-
quented route and presented ourselves
as secretly as possible at the drawing
room Of the princess.
The door was opened by Lady Jane,
and we met the two girls almost at the
threshold. / had told Brandon Of the
bantering conversation about the title
and estates of the late Duke of Suffolk,
and he had laughed over 1t in the best
Of humor. IL quick to retaliate for an
intentional offense, he was not thin
skinned at q piece OF pleasantly, and
had none of that stiff, sensitive dignity
so troublesome to oneself and friends.
Now, Jane and Mary were always
bantering me because 1 was short and
Inclined to be, In fact, round, but I
did not care. 1t made them laugh, and
their laughing was so contagious 1t
made me laugh, too, and we all en-
joyed it. / would give a pound sterling
any ime for a good laugh, and that, I
think, is why I have always been--
round.
So, upon entering, 1 said:
Ellis grace the Duke OF Suffolk, la
dies"
They e. CHI made q sweeping courte-
sy, with land on breast, and grayely
saluted him:
"Your grace good even"
Brandon's bow as as deep and
graceful, IL that ere possible, as
theirs, and when he moved on into the
room it was with q little halt in his
step and a big blowing out Of the
cheeks in ludicrous imitation Of his
late lamented predecessor that sent the
girls into peals OF soft laughter and put
us all at our ease Immediately.
All, what n thing 1t Is to look back
u%pon-that time Of life when one finds
his heaven in a ready taught
b seated, all" said the princess.
This is to be without ceremony and
only we four. No one knows a word of
1t. Did you tell any one, Sir EdwinP'
perish the thought" I exclaimed.
She turned her face toward Brandon.
"But know you did not. I've heard
how discreet you were about another
matter. Well, no one knows 1t, then,
and we can have a famous evening.
You did not expect this, Master Bran.
don, after my reception Of you the 9TH
er morning2 Were you not surprised
when Sir Edwin told your
II think I can safely say that I was
prepared not to be surprised at any
thing our highness might g%raciously
conclude to do-after my first expert
ence," he answered, smiling.
"Indeed7" returned Mary, with ele.
waited eyebrows ard q rising infection
on the last sylla, , Of the word. 1t
was now her turn tor n little surprise.
"Well, we'll try to find some way to
surprise you one Of these days" And
the time came when she was full of
surprises for him. Mary continued:
But let us not talk about the other
day. OF what Use are other days. any
way? Before the evening Is over, Mas
ter Brandon. we wan you to give us
another Sermon" And she laughed, set
ting off three other laughs rs hearty
and sincere MS IL she had uttered the
rarcst witticism on earth.
The princess had told Jane and Jane
had told me of the Sermon In the
Park" as Mary called 1t.
Jane needs it as much as l." said
the princess.
81 can't believe that" responded
Brandon, looking at Jane with a sof-
tcning glance quite too admiring and
Jealous little devil.
The eyebrows went up again.
"Oi you hin she doesn't? Well, in
truth, Master Brandon, there is one
failing that cannot be laid at your door
you are no flatterer." For answer
Brandon laughed, and that gave us the
cue, and away we went in q ripping
chorus, all about nothing. Some per-
sons may call our laughter foolish, but
there are others who consider 1t the
height Of all wisdom. st. George! I'd
give my Garter for just one other laugh
like that, for just one other hour of
youths dancing blood and glowing soul
warmth, Of sweet, unconscious, happy
heart beat and paradise creating Joy
in everything!
After a few minutes of gay conversa-
ton, in which we all Joined, Mary ask
cd: what shall we do? VIII one of
you suggest something's"
Jane sat there looking so demure you
would have thought mischief could not
live within a league of her, but those
very demure girls are nearly always
dangerous. She said, oh, SO innocently:
would you like to dance? If SO, I
will play" And she reached for her
lutte, which was by her side.
Eyes, that will be delightful. Mas
ter Brandon, will you dance with me?"
asked the princess, with a saucy little
laugh, her invitation meaning SO much
more to three of us than to Brandon.
Jane and 1 Joined in the laugh, and
when Mary clapped her hands that set
Brandon off, too, for he thought 1t the
%quaintest, prcttiest little gesture in the
world and was all unconscious that our
laugh was at his expense.
Brandon did not answer Mary'g inyi.
%tation-the fit of laughter had probably
put 1t out Of his mind-so she, evidently
anxious to win or lose her wager at
once, again asked him IL he danced.
"Oh, pardon mel or course! Thank