The Monte Vista journal., 1914-01-24
TWO Lillian MARsDEAs
BY J. A. TIFFANY.


bar, my father considering 1t best
that should have the opportunity Of
gaining experience in large city be-
fore entering his own office, l went
west, where l 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 a man; while
Mrs. Marsden was one of those ma
tronly ladies'. with certain oldworld
courtliness of manner. sweet and en-
dearing. There was q son, named
Fred. about two years older than I,
who appeared to be jolly good fel-
low.
Lillian" said Mrs. Marsden, as a
young lady entered the room, this Ia
Mr.. Donald Fairchild. My daughter.
Donald"
Miss Marsden and shook hands
This is Lilian's twentieth birth
day" Mrs. Marsden observed, evident
ly for the purpose OF relieving my en-
barrassment. She Ia our only daugh-
ter, Mr.. Fairchild.'
II am sure, Miss Marsden." said.
finding my tongue at last. II wish you
many very happy returns of your
birthday"
1t would be impossible to convey
any adequate idea Of the unalloyed
delight of my first few days in the
city. At the end Of week had ao-
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 ad.
mitted as 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 l was entrusted with
a commission that took me to Massa-
chusetts-which, by the way, wac 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, l
declared my passion to Lillian, and
became her accepted suitor, with the
approval Of her parents.
At the end of three days I had I'm
ished my search in Boston and armed
myself with certified copies Of the
entries discovered.
But-alas. for my success! had
found something else-something for
which l was not looking-something
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
ters Of fire borrowed from the neither
regions, found this entry In the REQ
ord OF births in Boston.
December IA, 186O-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 q charming
damsel of thirty-six!
When l reached the ONCE ON my
return to the west, found Fred busy
poring over q pile of musty docu.
ments.
Glad to see you back. Don." he
said, I'm just looking over some in
teresting family papers. Father 10
at work on our genealogical history.
suppose you know we came over in
the Mayhower?"
Il wasn't aware Of It," l 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
oring
"Well-don't you see-this paper
proves she IL thirty-six?'
Marsden whistled, and then he
laughed.
Look here. Don." he said; II think
l ought to break your neck, instead Of
laughing at you-but it's too absurd.
My parents first child was a girl, who
was christened Lillian Agnes. | was
born nine years later; and fvs 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 tho
name. Accordingly, the second dauRh-
ter was cr1stened Lillian.
And / Rny0 INV haah two ~, th..o