The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-04-24
: a FALSE
LOVER
~ L. +. MEADE
! (Copyright..)

brought me up since l was five years
of age.
Now, when this story opens, Aunt
Mercy was about so years of age, and
l was 10. l was about to appear at
my coming-out party. and very excited
was in consequence. Just the day
before the party she said l might wear
her pearls. She showed them to me,
and said they We're 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
beyond them
1t was at my first dance that I met
Mr.. Frank Joscelyn. He was a
stranger in our town, and we girls
We're very much taken with his ap-
pearance, for he was tall and dark.
and had 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 dance to spare.
which ] gave him. and ahnally he
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 a
gentle voice; and then he added,
bending towards me. but they're not
nearly as beautiful as the person who
| wars them"
That first meeting is an old story
now, and must hurry ON to what
| followed.
MIR. 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 relation,
and he proved this both to her salts
faction and mine. He was the son of
| 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 or ME TO be reserved with
Frank Joscelyn. She called him bS
his Christian name. and invited him
| TO come and stay with us. AS for me,
l I
| my heart to him.
| liked him very much indeed; and
one day, when we had known each
| other for 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 if 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 if l
would marry him. OF course, loved
him with all my heart and soul: and l
said Yes" without 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 cour-
try; but hope l 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
her son to our doors. and who now
wishes to take my niece away with
him as his Wife"
The next day Frank made curious
request
Did not Aunt Mercy promise to
leave you all her jewels, Rose?"
Yes" replied, slightly knitting
my brows. That is, after her death"
But the old lady has no use for
them. Why shouldn't she give them
to you as wedding present? Is there
any difficulty?"
Il wouldn't ask her." I replied "You
haven't the least idea how she prizes
them. Besides, what right have | to
them? People don't ask for presents
presents of that sort, from those
they love-"
But that is just what they do.
tell you what it is, Rose: I'll ask her
myself
Il wish you Wouldn't would much
rather You didn't replied.
He teased me a little, and kissed
and petted me, and finally he went out
of the room. SO that for the time
thought had won my way.
But that. was not Franks style. He
was quite the most masterful man I
had ever come across. What he did
now was to go straight to Aunt Mercy.
and sit. down by her side, and boldly
make his request. She told me aft.
erward all about it. She said she
was amazed and DIT first annoyed. but
was firm in her refusal
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