The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-05-19
A FALSE
LOVER
(Copyright.)

My name is Rosamund Fairlight,
| and live with an aunt, who has
| brought me up since l was five years
Of age.
Now, when this story opens, Aunt
Mercy was about so years of age, and
was 49, l was about to appear at
my coming-out party, and very excited
l was in consequence. Just the day
before the party she said l might wear
her pearls. She showed them to me,
and said they were of almost fabulous
value, and could with difficulty be
matched by any jeweler in New
York. She further told me that she
meant to leave them to me in her
Will
Besides the pearls she had many
other jewels, which she said she
would show to me by and by; but the
string of pearls, which l was to wear
on this suspicious occasion, were in
themselves of SO dazzling an order
that l gave no thought to anything
beyond them.
It was at my first dance that I met
Mr.. Frank Joscelyn. He was a
stranger in our town, and we girls
were very much taken with his ap-
pearance, for he was tall and dark,
and had q fascinating. semi-foreign
way about him. The moment he en-
tered the dancing-room saw his eyes
light upon me, and very soon after
wards he begged for an introduction.
happened to have a dance to spare,
danced two or three extras also with
me; and before the evening was over
had told him about the pearls, and
how precious Aunt Mercy considered
them.
Il can quite believe It," he said in .
gentle voice; and then he added,
bending towards me. but they're not
nearly as beautiful - the person who
wears them"
That first meeting IL an old story
now. and l must hurry on to what
followed.
Mr.. Joscelyn called at Aunt Mercy's
house on the following day, and had
long chat with her. He told her
quite boldly that he was q relation,
and he proved this both to her salts
faction and mine. He was the SON of
a cousin of hers-who had also been
her best friend-who had married and
gone to South Africa many years ago.
After this there was no reason for
Aunt Mercy er me to be reserved with
Frank Joscelyn. She called him by
his Christian name, and invited him
to come and stay with US. AS for me,
l must honestly confess that lost
my heart to him.
liked him very much indeed: and
one day, when we had known each
other for q couple Of months-he was
still staying on with Aunt Mercy, al.
though he fully intended going back
to johannesburg In the autumn-he
asked me again II it was true that my
aunt meant some day to leave me her
pearls.
yes, she has said so," I replied.
A week later, to my great amaze
ment, Mr.. Joscelyn asked me IL Il
would marry him. OF course, l loved
him with Ill my heart and soul; and |
said "Yes" without a moments hest
tation. To my delight Aunt Mercy
was pleased when she heard Of our en-
gagement.
There are many reasons why I
would have asked something different
for you, Rosamund." she said. for al |
though am much attached to Frank |
would rather you married man who
would have kept you In the old coun-
try; but l hope am not selfish
enough to stand In your way. will
certainly give you to Frank; and this
very evening will write to my
cousin Mary Joscelyn to tell her of
the strange coincidence which brought