The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-06-05
THE LOTTERY OF LIFE

Mary Leslie. having been left poor
orphan. sought TO earn her living by
working as designer In wall papers.
This hurt the feelings OF her fashion
able cousins, the Percivals, with the
exception Of young Tom. who admired
her greatly. Mr.. D'Eresby. a million
aire. wanting designs for an elegant
house he was about 90 build. was re-
ferred TO Mary. aud. stepping 10 her
table. Are you the drawing girlf" he
demanded somewhat brusquely.
yes. sir: am" said Mary.
WELL" said MIR. D'Eresby after a
moments Survey OF the work upon
which she was engaged. II believe
you're the very one 10 carry out my
ideas. My carriage is at the door"
Mary. bewildered. was whlrled up
Fifth avenue by the side OF man who
talked OF Michelangelo, Raphael and
Leonardo da Vinci as II they were
people he had just met at Delmonico's.
IL was very strange; but. after all.
there was an element OF "niceness"
about II.
Mr.. D'Erseby's sudden apparation on
the matrimonial horizon caused no in
considerable sensation, as may readily
be conJectured. and half the marriage
able young ladies' In New York pre-
pared their arrowy smiles and glances
for his heart. among others Josephine
Percival
II must marry rich" argued that
young lady. for have such expensive
tastes, and l should so enjoy hand
some home. I'm sure I'm as good
looking as the average with little
lily powder and my hair nicely craped
and there's no reason / shouldn't win
the prize"
"Thnts IT," said Tom scornfully.
"Go In and win"
Miss percival was introduced by
dint Of special maneuyerIng that very
evening 20 Mr. DEresby and congratu-
lated herself on making considerable
Roadway IN the good graces OF that
extremely eligible gentleman. And as
time went on appearances grew more
and more favorable Mr. DEresby
was evidently amused by her artless
| prattle and lisplng observations and II
was surely but one step from amuse-
ment to devotion. TO be sure, he never
said anything that she could really
construe into special meaning on the
matrimonial question, but as long as
time and the dictionary were open 20
him who knew what might next tran
spire. Mrs Percival began grayely Il
consider the relative merits OF satin
and rep silk for wedding dress and
to wonder whether Mrs. Parker next
door would consent 20 allow n door to
be cut through into the apartment ad-
| Joining the dining room I'm case of a
crowd at the bridal reception.
One beamy summer morning Miss
Percival made one OF party OF ladies
who were admitted 70 visit the elegant
D'Eresby mansion. now just on the
verge OF completion. Josephine was I'm
high spirits, Of course.
ale certainly must have meant
something" thought Josephine, "or he
never would have asked me so particu.
larly 20 come and look at the rooms"
Whether Mr.. D'Eresby's meaning
| applied equally 10 the seven other
maidens and the two blooming widows
who accompanied her Miss Perclval
not being Of a strictly logical nature,
never paused 10 consider.
"IIow do You like this roomr' asked
Mr.. D,Eresby ms they paused in one
which looked as much like the heart OF
bluebel as furnished apartment
well could DO A velvet carpet IN
shaded azures. blue paper strewn
with tiny fern leaves I'm gold blue sat.
In chairs and n ceiling just tinted with
the pale cerulean OF the middle sky-it
preserved a strange and pleasing indi.
vlduality IN every feature and corner.
ooh. It's bee yu-tl-ful,' murmured
Josephine, clusping her kid gloved
hands fin 4 species or ladylIke ecstasy.
II am glad YOU like H." said D'Eres'
By. moving back n tiny marble statu.
ettc OF Eurydicc and critically adjust
ing an aquarium IN the window This
is to be Mrs D'Eresby's sitting room"
"Your motherf" asked Josephine.
mo my wife"
"Oh You puzzllng mans cried Jo-
sephine, making little dive at him
with her lace fan You know very
well you're not married"
II shall be very soon"
Miss Percival blushed. The seven
other young ladies' looked obviously
at her and the two widows tossed
their heads and muttercd something
about "artful mlnxes." while Mr.
D'Eresby threw open n door leading
TO n suit OF rooms painted and paneled
In green and silver.
The first apartment evidently a sit
ting room, was not empty. A girl in
plain gray walking dress stood IN
front OF one OF the malachite mantels,
making some little drawing or memo
randum on the back OF letter. She
/ turned as the party flowed into the