Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1913-12-12
TWO Lillian MARSDEAS
BY !. A. TIFFANY.

After had been admitted to the
bar. my father considering It best
that l should have the opportunity OF
gaining experience in q large city be-
fore entering his own office, went
west, where | became associated with
law firm, the head OF which was an
old college friend of fathers.
Mr.. Marsden impressed me at first
as my beau ideal of man; while
Mrs. Marsden was one of those ma
tronly ladies, with n certain old-world
courtliness of manner. sweet and en-
dearing. There was q son, named
Fred. about two years older than /,
who appeared to be jolly good fell
low.
Lillian" said Mrs. Marsden, as a
young lady entered the room, this is
Mr.. Donald Fairchild. My daughter,
Donald"
Miss Marsden and shook hands.
This is Lillan's twentieth birth
day." Mrs. Marsden observed, evident
ly for the purpose OF relieving my EN-
barrassment. she is our only daugh-
ter, Mr.. Fairchild.'
Il am sure. Miss Marsden," said,
finding my tongue at last, II wish you
many very happy returns of your
birthday"
II would DO impossible to convey
any adequate idea Of tho unalloyed
delight OF my first few days in the
city. At the end OF week had ac-
complished three things: I had se-
cured nice room for my private quar-
ters; been assigned a place in the
Offices of the firm, to which was adj
mitted as a junior partner, and fallen
head over ears in love.
Mr. and Mrs. Marsden must have
known how things were going, but
the knowledge appeared to cause
them no uneasiness.
had been here about six
months, when / was entrusted with
commission that took me to Massa-
chusetts--which, by the way. was the
place where Mr.. Marsden first be-
came acquainted with his wife. It
was there that they were married.
My business was to look up the
title to certain real estate in Boston,
and to obtain authenticated records
proving the validity Of a clients claim
thereto.
Before starting on my journey,
declared my passion to Lillian. and
became her accepted sutton, with the
approval of her parents.
AT the end OF three days ] had fin.
ished my search In Boston and armed
myself with certified copies OF the
entries discovered.
But-alas, for my success! had
found -snmething else--somethitg for
which ! was not IouKins--p etnine
that took all the interest out OF my
mission and made life seem q hide
Gus mockery and burden.
Standing out, as II written In let
tiers of fire borrowed from the neither
regions, found this entry in the rec.
ord Of births In Boston.
December ii, 1S60-Lilian Agnes,
daughter Of John and Katherine Mars.
den"
And this was January, 1896!
My affianced, who had been intro
duced to me on her twentieth birth
day, six months ago, was a charming
damsel of thirty-six!
When ! reached the office on my
return to the west, ! found Fred busy
porting over a pile of musty docu-
ments.
Glad to see you back, Don," he
said, I'm just looking over some In.
teresting family papers. Father is
at work on our genealogical history,
! suppose you know we came over In
the Mayflower?"
II wasn't aware of IT," replied;
"but you wouldn't surprise me II you
told me you came over in the ark
How did your sister stand the voy.
age?"
What the deuce is the matter with
you. Fairchild?" Marsden asked col.
oriag.
"Well-don't you see--this paper
proves she IL thirty-six?"
Marsden whistled, and then he
laughed.
Look here, Don." he said; IT think
! ought to break your neck, instead OF
laughing at you-but it's too absurd.
My parents first child was girl, who
was christened Lillian Agnes. was
born nine years later; and FIVE years
after that came another girl. Lillian
was favorite name with my father:
and the first child having died In in.
fancy, they decided to revive the
name. Accordingly, the second daugh.
ter was cristened Lillian.
And ! gave my head two or three
good bangs against the wall. After
which, l felt better.