l^^r*# H'"M' Father of Forty-one. THE WIDOWS'ADONIS. I Th firmly on his financial feet again, for l*3^ During the next few days Miss mire your pocket Adonis your duodecimo sipid after you that I conceded" it would have enabled him to bid defiance Grey's manner was as demure as ever XV," said Minna, with withering "So you made the rose" Harrisbnrg (Pa.) Cor. New York Times. to a certain Jew money-lender while in the presence of her patroness, scorn. "I read in The Times a few days "The badge of grace and wit," inter who held more of his "paper"' than he From the Argosy.' but when evening came and Mrs. "Then we won't quarre/ over him, rupted Fitz, gallantly. "But Mary, ago," said a member of the Beading cared to think of. Besides, he really Somers betook herself to ball, reception Fitzgerald Brandon was one of the but unite our forces against the common tell me your real motive for play ins bar, on a visit to the city, "an account admired Mrs. Somers, add it enraged or theater as the case might foe," retorted the other with lucky mortals treated with material this comedy of errors." of a man in Western Pennsylvania him to see her show this marked preference be, the young lady gave vent to her spirit. "I fear it was revenge upon both ol partiality by that fickle jade, fortune. who died the father of thirtythree for Brandon. native hi spirits by mimicking her "The common foe? What do you you," said Mary rather seriously, and children, at the age of ninety-six. Meanwhile tbe latter, in serene unconsciousness Ho fifcepdame frowns fell to his share, cousin before the long mirror in ClemS mean?" yet laughing. "Mr. Brandon you have When John Heffner, of Reading* was of the wrath he was entina's dressing room, waltzing with no chilling glances, no rebuffs. Everything "Just what I say. Minna, there is behaved very badly tome. You have accidentally killed by the cars in that rousing in two manly bosoms, was tbe lap-dog, who loudly resented the treachery somewhere. Some one is went well with him. courted me, won my affections, and city in 1885, at the age of sixty-nine, thoroughly enjoying himself. The old liberty, or singing sprightly chansonettes playing me, playing us, a cruel trick all the whilb you have toyed and trifled Did he speculate imprudently, the he was the father of forty-one children, adage did not hold good for once he in her fresh, clear tones. Mary to-night." with the two widows as if no such and a step-child also called him found three excellent company. He speculation, however unpromising had been educated in a first-rateParisian "Do speak out plainly, dear," said being as myself never existed. How father. Heffner was one of Reading's admired both his fair companions, school, and had contrived to was certain to do well did he back a the other, with a little laugh. "I am can I believe your sincerity after all characters, and was in the full vigor and their all but open rivalry lent a imbibe a good deal of French esprit too stupid to guess riddles." -rank outsider for a great race, it was your flirting, after all that has passed of health when he was killed. It is delightful piquancy to their conversation. along with more solid accomplishments. "Come with me, then, and I will to-night? Do you think it nothing to almost certain of a place. Fortune doubtful if his record in the paternal Each was so anxious to outshine But oftener sh* fell to needlework show you something more puzzling break a woman's heart?" she added, line was ever equaled. Heffner was always befriended him. He generally the other that their talk was with praiseworthy ardor, and than any riddle." And Clementina somewhat tremulously. a dwarfed hunchback. He was born almost brilliant, and little Fitz when thus employed her spirits rose xose a winner from his post-prandial drew her friend's hand through her For a moment Fitz was dumbfounded in Berlin in 1816, and came to was kept well amused. Like many higher than ever. She would often arm and led her rapidly toward the rubber, not because his skill was ex* but something in her look and tone this country in 1843, settling in men who are not remarkable tor wit, laugh aloud from sheer inability to most secluded part of the garden. I roused all the manliness latent in traordinary, but irom sheer forua of Reading. Until his death he made his he admired women who could skillfully keep her mirth to herself, as she pictured saw them go in this direction," she him. Admiration took the place ol living by collecting and selling rags luck and it was on record tnat on use that essentially feminine weapon, and re-pictured in her busy went on excitedly. "Look, Minna, astonishment, and his* na and paper. His remarkable family the tongue nothing charmed him brain what Clementina, would say one occasion be broke the bank at don't you see a blue dress over live good nature made him history is part of more than a ready retort or a neat 4the records of the and how Clementina would look when Monte Carlo. there?" forget the vexatious trick that Berks county courts, it having been epigram and even satire, if not leveled her humble companion's brilliant idea "Yes but there are ever so many had been plaved on him. His better He was, besides, extremely handsome, elicited a short time before his death against himself, pleased him. was fully matured and carried out. blue dresses here to-night." nature also asserted itself. He felt while he was a witness in a lawsuit. though on a liliputian scale for That morning both ladies had hoped The rivalry of the two widows did "Not like that one," whispered that although his heart had always to secure him tor an hour's chat it was JFitzgerald Brandon was not only one not abate as the days went on. Fitz Clementina in her ear "it is a fac been Mary's, his flirtations with the "He was married first in 1840. In unfortunate that the hopes of both was peldom to be seen without one or of the luckiest but also one of the simile of mine." widows had been mere pastime, though eight years his first wife bore him seventeen should be fulfilled and yet baffled. other by his side. Bets were freeiy tonight, in the excitement on the moment, "Then it is not you Mr. Brandon smallest of men. He stood just children. The first and second Minna wished to have him all to herself laid on the event at the clubs, he had gone further than be has been dancing with all the even- five feet five in his boots, years of their marriage she gave birth it was really most provoking that the odds varying as blonde ever intended. ing?" replied the other breathlessly, to twins. For four successive years Clementina's wishes clashed with hers. but his neat little figure, always or brunette was in the ascendant. a light suddenly breaking in on her. "It is true I proposed to you," he afterward she gave birth to triplets. "Are you going to Mrs. Eaton's this Clementina flattered herself dressed in the most perfect-fitting "No. He had been dancing with said at length, "but you refuse me." In the seventh year she gave birth afternoon? asked the latter, in* the soft that she would be in first at the my double." chefa-d'oeuvre of Smalpage or "Howcould I do otherwise," returned to one child, and diedsoon'aiterward. lisping tones her friends stigmatized as winning post, whileMinna was equally "My poor Clementina but you Mary, "when I saw you paying as Poole, was so erect, so dapper and so Of the seventeen children she left, consequently, "absurdly affected" but which many confident that to her would fall the are" much attention to ethers as vou did the oldest was only seven well proportioned, that any short people thought charming. honor of carrying off the Brandon "Determined to find out who has to me?" years of age. Heffner engagedayoung "Yesthat is if you and Mr?. Desmond sweepstakes. -comings of stature were readily for.given played me this shameful trick," she Again Fitz was silent a moment. woman to look after his large brood will be there," replied the gall ant Little Fitz could but feel flattered and forgotten by his numerous interrupted fiercely. "Now silence, "You have taught me a less on, of babies, and three months later she little man promptly. by the open admiration of these two or they will hear us. Here they come Mary," he cried at length, taking her admirers of the fair sex. For, whatever became the second Mrs Heffner. She Mrs. Somer's blue eyes clouded. charming ladies. When chaffed about they are going to sit on that seat." hand, "but I am going to hold you to presented her husband with two children 'the lady novelists may say, women This was not all what she wanted. it at his club, he only laughed and Drawing the astonished Minna your promise all the same. If you the first two years. Five years Minna's face brightened evidently are not so utterly devoted to those stroked his mustache complacently, after her, Mrs. Somers slipped spoke in jest I was in earnest, and I vfor dear laters she had added ten more to the Brandon did not care much for he was extremely good humored, 4ords of herculean built and superhuman behind a large bush oi sermgs, don't withdraw a word of what I said. family, two at every birth. Then for Clementina's society. and even the scowls of Maitland and which effectually screened them from 1 am thankful that I have not gone physical strength who invari. three years she added but one a year. "Yes, I shall certainly go," she said, Carnforth did not ruffle him. But he view. Little Fitz and his fair companion too far, that I can still honorably She ^died before another year came ably figure in the pages of fashionable shedding her brightest smile on Fitz. had evidently not made up bis mind ask you to be my wife. My heart is sauntered slowly down the round. Of the thirty-two children "I thought, Clementina, you meant to fiction. which of the ladies was to be Mrs. yours, and yours only, Mary will vou path, and as Clementina had predicted, that John Heffner had been presented f*. drive out to Richmond to call on our Fitzgerald Brandon. He lunched Little Fitz was, in his way, quite a have me?" seated themselves on a garden with twelve had died. The twenty Lady Merryweather," she added one day with Clementina, but bench close by. There was an air of 4ady killer, and as he was well known "Are you in earnest?" asked Mary. that were left, however, did not appear sweetly, at the same time darting a dined with Minna the next he sat the tender empressment about the former ''I "In most solemn earnest," he replied. "to be a rich as well as a lucky man, to be any obstacle to a young half-defiant glance across at Clementina. whole evening in the opera-box of one, which at once struck the eager watchers. widow with one child consenting to Ma lines geneially fell in pleasant but he was certain to be seen in the "And the widows?" whispered Mary. become the third wife of the jolly little "To Richmond!" echoed the other, places. His position in society was Row next morning with the other "And you will give me that rose, "You are worth 100,000 widows!" humpback tor he was kno .vu as pne arching her delicate eyebrows "the and so the balance of power was assured, and many a fair demoiselle dear Mrs. Somers," he was saying Mary laughed and gave him such a of the happiest and most genial men dust would be simply intolerable, and maintained. earnestly, as he bent over the small charming smile that Fitz wa3 enraptured. moving in the very best circles would in Reading,, although it kept him toiling old Lady Merryweather is my aversion. Both ladies were at their wits' end. jeweled hand of the unknown. like a slave to keep his scoie of have been willing enough to share his Besides I never like to miss one How was this oscillating swain to be "And your soubriquet?" she asked. mouths in bread. The third Mrs. Clementina nearly cried aloud. Oh! of Mrs. Eaton's matinees. You know fortunes. secured? It was so intolerable to see Fitz laughed good humoredly. Heffner became tbe mother of nine this is dreadfulthe Adonis was positively how I dote on music." him flirting openly with Minna after But little Fitz seemed reluctant to "Someone will find me another, never children to her husband in ten years, making love to her doub'e before "What a fib!" thought Minna. "I he had all but proposed don the matrimonial fetters he eschewed fear. I shall change my name at and the contentment and happiness her very eyes. The fair incognita don't believe she knows 'Rule Britannia' the day before to Clementina the same time that you change yours, of the couple was proverbial. One laughed musically as she detached the the society of the demoiselle a from the 'Dead March in Saul.' and vice versa. Of course every Mary. People have always called me day in the fall of 1885 the father of coveted flower from her dress and anarier, preferring the maturer charms But she made no audiable remark, one was amused but the two victims, a lucky fellow, but I really think Lady the forty-one children was crossing, gave it to the delighted Fitz. of ladies who already wore the marriage and the three arranged to meet later and they were really miserable. However, Mabel's bal masque has brought me the Reading track and was run down "Oh, yes, Mr. Brandon, why should at Mrs. Eaton's. ring and yet could enjoy a flirtati6n an event to which .both had the best luck of all." by a locomotive and instantly killed. I refuse you such a trifle? I only ask Clementina had a charming little long looked forward would, they hoped without fear of scandal. "He is hopelessly infatuted!" muttered But for that sad ending of his life, it one thing in return." house in Park street, and she prided bring matters to a crisis. Lady Mabel In short, little Fitz was a devoted xMinna to her friend "let us is impossible to estimate what the Mrs. Somer's heart stood still. Was herself greatly on the artistic arrangement Smith was going to give a ball masque admirer of that privileged class, young leave him in his fool's Paradise. She size of the little peddlei's family she dreaming? The unknown not only of her rooms. Her establishment at her charming suburban villa on and pretty widows. is a second Becky Sharp." would eventually have been. His wore her dress, but spoke in her was small, but the servants the Thames, and the widows had Perhaps he fondly imagined he was And that was the verdict of thefairer widow and a large number of his chil- voice. were admirably drilled and kept up devised ravishing toilets for the occasion. less likely to be "caught" by these half of society. But Mrs. Fitzger drenI believe there are twenty-eight "I can refuse you nothing," protested to the mark by a young ladya Little Fitz would surely be subjugated 'bereaved sirens than by young debutantes aid Brandon holds her own, nevertheless, of the forty-eight still livinglive in Fitz, ardently. cousinwho acted as a sort of humble at last and there would be so still under the maternal wing. for her masculine -admirers pronounce Reading. They are all thrifty and "Then tell me why you let that silly companion to the fair widowIndeed, many opportunities for him to propose 1 1 At all events, he was nearly always her the "prettiest, wittiest and respectable people." Mrs. Desmond monopolize you as she much of the credit Mrs. Somers in those delightful gardens, sloping to be seen, with one or other of these brightest woman in London." does? Come, confide in me are you in received for perfect taste, both in to the river, and lit with colored fair ladies, who having doffed their love with her?" personal and household adornment, lamps a la South Kensington. Cologne's Great Bell. weeds, and bloomed out again in all "In love with her," he rejoined, hastily. How Wallace Wrote. should have been placed to this young 'their pristine brilliancy. The eventful evening came at last. Londbn Times. "Oh, no surely dearest Clementina lady's account. Mrs. Desmond, arrayed as Mme. de Gen. Lew Wallace has been talking And that is how he won the soubriquet An official notice ha^ been published vou should know better than On returning from her matutinal Pompadour, in rose colored velvet by which he was known in every to a reporter. Hesays: "I began'The of the great bell of Cathedral of that!" airing in the Row, Clementina was not and diamonds, and Mrs. Somers as vcdub London of "The Widows' Cologne, the solemn inauguration of Mrs. Desmond clenched' her hands. Fair God' when I was 18 years old. in the best of tempers, and Mary Grey Mane Antoinette, in pale blue satin Adonis." which took place some Says ago with "Oh, the little hypocrite." she breathed. Mexico and her history has always had rather a bad time of it. Everything and pearlsarrived almost simultaneously "Just look at the fellow? How any great pomp. The bell weighs 27,000 was wrong the cutlets at luncheon had a chau for me. I began this at Lady Mabel's. Little Fitz, woman can take up with such a conceited or about 26 tons 13 hundred weight. "Then you" (there the unknown were pronounced uneatable, the to whom both ladies had, of course, little coxcomb I can't imagine," book and then I went to the Mexican The clapper alone weighs 800 kilos, paused and played coquettishly with claret corked, the flowers faded, and confided the secret of her incognito, said Maitland, of the Fiftieth dragoonsa or neatly 15 3-4 hundred weight. Its war as a soldier and fought over the with her fan) "have some feeling ofof tbe lap dog's condition anything but had got himself up very magnificently "heavy" dragoon in more perpendicular height is-almost 14 1-2 friendship forme?" she finished softiy. ground I had thought so much about. what it should be. as Lord Louis the XV., and this Mrs. sense than one, for he rode fourteen feet its diameter at the month nearly When I returned I took up the thread Desmond considered as almost tantamount stone and was more remarked for his Fortunately Mary had the command 11 1-2 feet. Twenty-one cannon "I have the deepest, the most sincere to a declaration. 'breadth of shoulders than quickness of temper proper to a dependent and of the story and finished it. taken from the French were assigned ?ng affection for you. Until to-night The ball was a most brilliant affair poor relation she listened to all the witto his fidus Achates onemornin by Emperor William for its manufacture 'Ben Hiir' iB now seven years old and I failed to realize how much I" the weather was everything it should reports in silence and with eyes meekly the row. 5,000 kilos of tiis were added. yet it continues to- sell. That story "And I am sure I shall always have be, warm, still, and moonless the illuminations downcast, and afterward went There's no accounting for tastes," It was cast by Andreas- Hamm, f went very curiously. It did not sell marks (1, a sister's affection for you," intrerupted were gorgeous, the music through her customary duty of dressing muttered the other, pulling his mustache 21,0601 Frankenthal, and so much the first year as the second. the lady sentimentally. good, the dresses admirable, and the her patroress, for Mrs. Somers and darting envious glances at 050) were paid for the easting It That is something rather unusual, I "A sister's affection! My dearest wine superlative. Lady Mabel's guests kept no maid Mary was more skilful little Fitz, who was seated between will be known as the Kaaserglocke, Clementina that will not satisfy me. am told, in a-story. Thepublicdidn't took their pleasure with less insular and so much cheaper than the oi'dinary two of the prettiest young widows in or Emperor's bell aaicEaa the hvo I want the very first place in your seem to understand what it was exactly sadness and more of continental liveliness run of Abigails without evincing (London and seemed mightily to relish other large bells in the-e&thedral bear heart. I want" than usual. Whether it was the when it was-first published. But a scintilla of the wrath that was the position. "I should have thought the epithets respectively ot Preciosa The listeners behind the seringa bush novelty and daring of the thing, or smouldering her bosom. it is certainly going very nicely now." a charming woman like Mrs. Desmond (precious) and fcspecio&s (beautiful)i gasped. How would this dreadful affair the tact of the hostess, or the unlimited "Don't you attributoe a portion semi-religf glaree did not finish the sentence, this one is styled Gloriosa. It bea*s. But when the lady had departed, arrayed thejfaet its but fiercely at the dapper figure end? Here was Fitz, the beloved opportunities for flirtation, or 1 its success to above an inscription* reeortiing tha in full war-paint and feathers, of both, proposingactually the spice of intrigue and mystification ious nature?" of little Fitz, who wa3 laughing and "William, the most august Emperor as the irreverent Miss Grey put it, the u proposingto an eidolon, a shadow, introduced into the affair by the wearing "I certainly dot. I think a great chatting gaily to his fair companions. of the Germans and i King of the Prussians, humble companion performed a sort an unknown somebody wearing the of masks, it is certain that the ball many people read it who do not read If looks could kill, what wholesale mindful of tine heavenly help of pas d'extase round the room, looked shape of one of them, speaking in her was a (Complete successfrom beginning novels generally. You know, it is said slaughter would go on in this highly granted to him whereby/ he- conducted) at herself in the glassshe was tone, aping her manner to a nicety. to end. Minna Desraand, however, that a large element of John B. Gough's oivihzed metropolis of ours. t'.ie late French war-to a prospeious very pretty, for her grey "Dear Clementina," Fitz went on was far from happy, for throughout success lay imthe fact that he had issw and restored the- German Ero Jack Carnforth, the impecunious offshoot eyes were wonderfully bright and eagerly, "I love you most sincerely, I the evening little Fitz devoted himself power as-an actor. People who never pire, caused cannoni tajkem from the of an ancient family tree, would expressive,*and her complexion was admire you above all other women" almost exclusively to her rival. fhought of attending a theatre would French to be devoted' to foundn catk*a*c have given a good deal to secure pretty simply perfectshook her fist at the "Are you quitequite sure ot that?" The blue dress of Marie Antoinette listen toGoug with great pleasure." bell to be hung in the wonderful Mrs. Desmond and her fortune, lap-dog, sang a snatch of a popular whispered the unknown. "Is there was always to be seen in juxtaposition "Had you ever been in the holy dral then approaching completion." whicn was said to be considerable. At French chansonette, and finally subsided no one you have a secret liking for?" with the brilliant costume of Larfd'wheniyou wrote your book?" A* likeness of StJ Beteov the namepatron one time she had accepted his homage into the most comfortable easy Fitz hesitated for a moment. His Louis XV. "No* sir. E finished" 'Ben Hur' in of the church*, is- om the side, -with apparent pleasure, but since chair in the room, and drew from her conscience was evidently not quite the old palace of t&e Montezumas at beneath which i a. ftswtimin in ijhe (Fitzgerald Brandon had crossed her pocket a letter, which she read more I suppose he thinks as Clementina clear. The lady, however, seemed in* Sante Fe, New Mexico, when I was t* SSyle of the niediawaik ceeits, prayiegthat, .path, she had turned a deaf ear to the is masked people won't talk," thought than once. no way vexed, but laughed softly as governor of that territory. I worked the disconcerted widow as she watched as devout hearts-risethe heavenbell {.penniless young attache's pretty "Ah, my dear cousin Clementina," CKJUW? or she tapped him on the arm with her with a large map of rountry before i the pair. ward at hearing the speeches. Poor Carnforth, in spite of she said aloud, smiling maliciously, as fan. me. Iistudied eueiry point and carried ao may the doorkeepe^of heaven open ^is good looks, felt that he was hopeless she carefully refolded" the letter "and Carnforth, who has somewhat discovered "There! I won't put too manyquestions. my charaoters from place to wide the gate of the- setestlal maib out of the running, for, though put it back into her pocket "you are that Mme. de Pompadour If you tell me to-night at place with great oatre. I read all the aaon. On the ooposite- sMe is m^QQib- Brandon might be, as Maitland said, very well in your way, tolerably good was no other than his fickle Minna, least I reign supreme, I ask nothing books I couldiget hold of on the nature *d a sestet in Gerpaamv of which th/a "a conceited little coxcombe," it was looking, when en grande tenue, but came up to her and began to talk. At mote." of the countey and the habits of translation is. impossible to deny that he possessed not clever. first his attempts at conversation Fitz took her hand and pressed itr the people, and) Skrallv, when I was the art of making himself agreeable. There's a great deal more on your were coldly received, but Jack was-not fervently to his lips. hy you are not minister to Turksy, I decided to go "I am called tbscEMi'punror's bell) The two ladies, between whom this WT head than in it. easily snubbed, and at length she "Dearest Clementina," he whispered to Palestine andi Jernsalem to see if I I proclaim the Einperur's honor$I miniature Paris was seated, were as even clever enough to seemed to relent and gradually glided tenderly, "and now I beg you will let there were any jj&e-rtions of the hook.' On tha-holy wafcih tst-e I am planted. /antagonistic to each other as Maittla/ad Here she paused, and a queer smile into a friendly chat. me see the face 1 have been longing to that ought to he-rewritten.'* I pray.for the German Empire, and Carnforth were to the object fluttered over her rosy lips. Carnforth was delighted he begged look at all the evening. Th.it peace an pt.tion "Did youifinds any?" their rivalry for the two pretty "Well, well! but I confess I should for a waltz, and Minna didi not refuse There the widows "peeped eagerly God maj everi-gjrant to it." "I found that there was not asingleword widows were rivals and hated each like to balance the social scales more the request. When the dance was TThebe'i was soteron!y blessed) rn the through the screen of leaves, longing I couldi change. It was just other cordially, though they called justly," she mused thoughtfully, tracing ended he led his partner into one of cathedral by the- archbishop e Cologne, and yet fearing the elucidation,of the as I.wanted! ib- There wer?, indeed eaeh other "dear Minna" and "dear out the pattern of the carpet the pleasant nooks in the-garden, hoping according totheelaboraWrttual mystery. some very striking coincidences. I Clementina," and before the eyes of with her pretty foot. "I do think it set out in tbe Pcotificate Roi&anum. that the widow's mood would not "One minute," said the unknown, rode out fro mi Jerusalem to, Bethlahem the world posed as great friends and hard that Mesdames Somers, Desmond The ceremony was yery long,, many change before he found courage to propose. putting her hand to the mask "I and, leaving my horse* walkad allies. & Co. should have all the pleasure psalma^being" c&anted by th clergv But the lady's thoughts, were wonder if you will unsay your wordsif" back. All thi* ground I had descuiibed In appearance, the two ladies con and I all the trouble and worry. and choristers while the bell was being still running on Louis she was- deter- minutely by studying nay maoi &> trasted well, and each flattered herself Why should'nt I have my amusements sprinkled wit& blessed wajrer and mined not to throw up tbe cards yet. "Unsay my words' never! asseverated the geography and studying, books, of that her friend was an excellent too? Of cour3e. I can always have anoinied with-,earism, and the portion The first thing was to get rid of Carnforth, Fitz, passionately. travel for th*typograi3h At a* certain foil, to her own charms. Minna Desrmond the fun oflaughing at my dear cousin's *f St. Liaice, x. 38, 42,-waschant- so be was dispatched to fetch "Not even if you have proposed to* point isa the book I describe- the was a tall, handsome brunette, ed b^ a deacon. Incense and myrrh weakness behind her back, but I have an ice, much to his disgust. Just as to the wrong woman?" said a clear* mother and sister of my herov who With fine eyes and magnificent black were-burned within it, and many symboliaal to do it so often that it palls. I really she was about to leave the arbor in mocking voicea voice that made the were lepersv as taking refuge in a tomb )hair, while Clementina Somers was a rite* performed. Tfeeopinions must strike out something new. search of the recalcitrant Fits she and waiting for the coining oi Jrsus. two eavesdroppers thrill with terror ifairy-like blonde, with a dazzling complexion, of experts a*e divided as to whether Let me think." was startled by a rustle in the bushes When. I usaehed the proper point in and rage. The mask f the unknown bright blue eyes and a chevelure th note which the bell sounds is For some minutes the young lady near, and a voiceClementina's- voice the journey, sure enough, tbare was fell to tbe ground as s&e stood up ad defccriber"*k I had sharp or IX of the most beautifuldye at sank into a brown study, puckering her whispering her name. At the same the tomfei as I had faced her astonished admire?. least so her "dear Minna" said. Both white forehead into a thoughtful frown time the bushes parted* showing the also deseribed these iromen, as having "Maryf* were reputed to be wealthy and acknowledged and drawing quite a net work of designs blue dress of the queen. sat by the wayside on a hig white "Yes, 3ffr. BrandonMary," she The New Orleans Times-Democrat to be charming, and both on the carpet with the point of "Clementina!" cried the astonished stor.e^ Even the stone was there. echoed, dropping him. a mock-modest makes the statement that in recent were bent on securing the affection of her shoe At last a brilliant idea lady you "heref" The description wbibji I had given of courtesy. years tbe health ot Louisiana has -that unfortunate individual, "the darted into her brain, and she started "Hush, dear. I have- been trying to the view from Mount Olive, across the "Nowhow didl you get here/' he been improved 50 per cent. "Diseases Widows' Adonis." to her feet with a crv. speak to you all the evening." valley of Kedron* was as- good as I stammered. that ravaged New Orleans and all "Pshaw!" muttered Carnforth, as he "Eureka! That will do^Nothing "Indeed?" retorted the other coldly could have writt#a as I sat there and "Ahj quite simply I drove down- in the chief towns," it says, "have been, watched the trio. "I suppose his could he better. Ah, what fun I'll actuallv saw it.** "I thought yon were better occupied." a hansome," laughed Mary gayly. kept out by better sanitary methods'. .money is the attraction." have! My dear Clementina, I shall "Oh, Minna, don't be unkind! I "Come, the play is ot, so I will explain and by an effective quarantine. The,,' be able to cry quite with you at last. "Of course it if You don't think thought 12onld depend onyouririend- the plots as it seems to puzzle death rate is 40 per cent, less than ink You have made me pass many a any woman would admire his looks, The ancient and famous city of Damascus, ship." you. I wanted to. see if Mary Grey, antebellum days* and is now as low quarter of an hour, in return for *do you?" retorted Maitland, squaring "My friendship! Much you care for which was a place of importance given all the advantages ladies 'in society' as in any portion of the country the* for which I shall play you as pretty a ifais broad shoulders and arranging the that, infataated as you are by that enjoy, conld not hold her own 1900 years B. C. is busy with sick rate is 60 per cent. less. If human trick as ever a woman's wit hatch- gardenia in his buttonhole. "Women little" site paused, unable to find a with tbe best. So I made an exact plans for laying railroad lines through life and human health is to be, ed!" And s*ie burst into a peal of are always mercenary," he added, word strong enough to express her copy of Mrs. Somers' dressdid you the streets. Street ears in a eity said counted in the balance, Louisiana" such merry, silver-toned laughter with a sigh. feelings. not see there was a second Queen here has made immense strides forward^ to have been founded by Abraham that the" lap dog roused himself from He had only a couple of hundred a "Minna, dearest,you surely are not to-night?" as compared with the most prosper^JfC his afternoon siesta and barked a "l year and his pay. A good matriunonial would be a startling novelty. Ttw jealous of me?" "Yes but she wore no rose in her ous period before the. war/' Iflji- joyous response. venture would have set him Dlage has 120,000 inhabitants. iNm "Jealous! no, indeed. I don't ad- dress and she seemed so dull and in- ss ig^Mi^^ ii -i ij^titfi' i &s a. -$$s#1^