Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-01-23

SANoA Nut ANbeuiNDt otci w.
"Mr. Jermyn?-ah, yes, of course!
Your appearance seems familiar. But
then, aren't your photographs all over
LOndon?' she asked.
Mark bowed, but guessed by her
tone hat she had never seen his por-
trait.
He sauntered aimlessly about, con-
versing first with one and another, till
at length he found himself addressing
the host himself. And Jermyn was
agreeably surprised; Elsie's father
was not nearly so formidable as he
had pictured him to be; on the con-
trary, his attitude toward the young
lion of the season was courtesy and
geniality itself.
"Ah! my daughter tells me she met
you in Paris" he remarked. "One of
the first to discover your genius, l be-
lieve? Elsie's a dear girl, my dear
sir!'
"She is" assented Mark, earnestly.
Always a dutiful girl, and a prize
worth the winning" continued Mr..
Renton, briskly. IT'S a pity we're to
lose her so soon-but there! the men.
the men! l was young myself once"
You mean some one will fall in
love with her" 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 a few moments before.
'"Are they-Y
Engaged, my dear sir, engaged.
And to be married shortly. My wife's
a wonderful woman's she arranged 1t
allv'
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 a 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. SIS it true"
She averted her gaze.
"Is what true?" she murmured.
THAT you're engaged to Lord Ma
plesonY"
Her eyes filled with tears and she
turned toward him p~assionately.
Nor 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! Markr'-with an out
stretching Of her arms that was ire
sistible; whats to be done?"
He took her into his arms.
You love me, what is to prevent
u happiness?"
"Mother-she insists. Father, l
know, would rather l married a man
of my choice"
"And l insist on you marrying me!'
he cried earnestly. THAT is, if you're
willing to become the wife of a non
/ entityT"
She looked up quickly.
'Who is the nonentity?" she asked.
you, the clever artist or''-with a
gesture of dlsdain-"Lord Mapleson?''
"Then, darling" he cried, "if your
mother will not consent, it must be a
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 l did two years
ago, and that's something, isn't it?''
He admitted that it was, and kissed
her, when some one calling Elsie, she
had to leave. Mark strolled back to
the drawing room with n lighter
heart. Some II was asking Mr.. Rem.
ton whether Jermyn was to play; the
host shrugged his shoulders, but the
musician at nee interrupted with the
remark he should only be too de.
lighted.
a move was made to the piano,
while all voices were hushed us it be.
came known that the great Jermyu
was ut the instrument. He ran
through several of his better known
things In succession, playing as he
had eve played before, his audience
spellbound and enraptured. The ap
plause mt his conclusion, unlike most
drawing-room applause, was for one,
sincere.
Mr.. Renton was profuse in his
thanks, and then his less genial wifi,
inquired as n special favor, whether
he would give them a novelty.
"a novelty?" repeated Mark, anx
ious to please has prospective parent
"Ah. yes! l had almost forgotten
To-day's the twenty-second, isn't It
There is one thing l only play once {