Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1884 — DOLLY'S LAST FLIRTATION. [ARTICLE]

DOLLY'S LAST FLIRTATION.

\ lam Kitty, and Dolly is my twin-sis-ter. I was always sedate, mother used to say; but Dolly was giddy, and fond of flirting. When we were 17, Dolly became engaged, with our mother’s consent, to Drank Wilrnot, a young fellow of 24, son of a banker, free and cheery in manner and disposition. He was very indulgent to Dolly, 4or he felt so confident of her love, and was himself so loyal and sincere that the admiration she excited was his triumph; the freedom with which she received and encouraged it never pained him, though mother and I used to watch her with serious anxiety. Sometimes our mother would say a few impressive words; then Dolly would throw her arms round her, and with kisses assure her siie would be a better girl, or she would pout a little, with tears in her bright blue eyes. She would be very demure through two balls, and at the third worse than ever; scarcely could Frank get one waltz for liimself. One evening lie brought to our house ■ a cousin of his, a barrister, a man some years older than himself. He was rather famous, though only 30, being an acute lawyer, and consequently looked up at the bar. Dolly owned to me that evening that Frank had confided to her that I was Jack Dacve’s ideal womau. “So don’t blush so angrily, darling,” said she, “for it would be the most delightful arrangement. He is Frank’s ideal man and dearest friend. It would be the happiest thing for us all!” And Dolly gave me a hug and a kiss and ran off to bed. Mr. Dacre came very often after that one visit, and I soon found that he was my ideul man, for ho strangely resembled my father, both in manners and bis chivalrous courtesy to women, as well as in appearance. It was with a chill at my heart that I was the first to make the discovery that he was falling in love with Dolly—lie, the soul of boner, seemed bewitched by the charms of his bosom friend’s affianced wife. I •knew it before he did, but of course ■not before Doily, who had a genius for muerringly detecting every symptom, ihowever obscure, of dawning iove, •either in her own case or another's. My mother and Frank were utterly ■blind to the danger. I was very unhappy, and exceedingly sorry for Dolly, for b rank, for Mr. Dacre, and, I own it, for myself; for, though I had not fallen in love with Frank’s cousin, I must say he was tho only man I had eeen whom I felt I could* fall iu love with. An accident brought matters to a climax. We were sitting in the drawing-room After dinner one evening, when a noise in tho street drew us to tho window. The pole, of a carriage had entered the shoulder of a cab horse. Dolly became ill and faint attbe sight, and Mr. Dacre, who was at her side, threw his arm around her to save her from falling. Ho led her to a sofa and stood aside as Frank drew near her; but fj-om that night lie came no more. Ho and I only had seen tho half-petulant way in which Dolly had turned from Frank, had caught another expression on her face, had seen her vivid blush. From that evening she became cold, Ktulant, teasing to Frank. At first he ighed, then was huit, and finally the engagement was broken off. This is soon told, but what my mother and I suffered must be imagined-- I dared neither to tell hor the t nth nor to hint to Dolly that I knew to whom her heart was given, though I loved her so dearly; and I felt so sure that tliis was tho first true love of her life. This dete: mined, decided, somewhat stern man was suro to oharm our little outterfly, if she noticed Mm at all. ml*- .. -

Mother and I arranged that Dolly should go away on a short visit. Frank was to come one evening to return the letters Dolly had sent him. They would not feel the abruptness of this rupture so much as if they were placed personally by him in my hands; and I had his letters also to give to him. Mother was quite unequal to seeing him, for she loved him dearly, and the task was left to me. I was not sorry, for I felt I oould say all that was likely to comfort him, loving both of them so deeply. So poor Frank produced his sorrowful little packet, received the one I had for him, and stood leaning against the chimney-piece, while I sat quite unable to utter a word, but with tears di opping quietly from my eyes. At last he told me that he knew Dolly had been faithless to him. He felt sure she and Jack Dacre loved each other, and he spoke so humbly of himself, and as if it was quite to be expeoted that his cousin should be preferred above any other man, that 1 was greatly touched, and my tears fell faster and faster. “Jack is Ihe soul of honor, Kitty; but I must make it clear to him that he is free to do as his heart dictates. His and her happiness must not be wrecked. I will get my father to send me to onr branch house in India, and will not return till they are married. J ack is rich enough to marry at once. I shall ombark on Thursday.” Then he charged me with tender blessings for Dolly, and, at his request, I went to ask my mother to bid him farewelL Presently she glided in, pale as death. She held out her trembling hand in silence, but Frank folded her in his arms, .and she sobbed on his breast. I stood by, weeping bitterly, and, when wo were calmer, Frank embraced ub both finally, and, placing me in my mother’s arms, left us. Poor fellow: how brave ho was, how gentle and patient! In a month from that time Dolly was affianced to Mr. Dacre, and the marriage was arranged to take place at the beginning of the long vacation. We were by this time convinced that it was the best thing that could happen. No one could see Dolly and doubt for a moment that this was tho only man she had loved. His calm, intense character impressed her; his great talents awed her; and her pretty, innocent pride in her manly lover, her meekness and quietness were most promising symptoms of happiness in her married life. Dear mother was so serenely happy! I was very fond of my new brother; he was such a power for good aud peace iu our home that we never had been so contented befote. Frank wrote freely to us—manly, patient letters, full of unselfish interest in all around him. His sorrow had sweetened, not embittered, his character. He had set himself to alleviate his anguish by doing good, and his first act on reaching his destination had been to use his keen commercial gifts for the welfare of the widow and children es an officer of the army, and, at the cost of time, talent, and energy, to rescue her small fortune from unsafe hands and invest it profitably. His letters were filled with similar incidents, naturally and simply told, and our affection increased for this truly brave man. Dolly’s godmother took it into her head that it was her godchild’s duty to pay her a farewell visit before her marriage. Though, as she had never troubled herself much about us, we were rather startled at this demand; all thought it would be best to accept J the invitation—for my sister was not looking well—and it was settled that she should go and spend a month with the old lady in her lovely North County home. Mr. Dacre was pres-ed to go as often as his professional engagements would permit; so Dolly left us in pretty good spirits, in charge of the elderly servant who was our substitute for a regular lady’s maid. She wrote to tell us how she was enjoying the repose and beauty of the country. Mr. Dacre had to run down from Saturday till Monday at the end of the first week, and had of course made a great impression, but was afraid ho could not come again—a long case was pending at Westminster. The letter which followed this I give in its entirety: High wood, July "o.—Dearest Kitty: I hope you will get this in time to send my hat hero instead of to grand mama’s. lamon a fortnight s visit to Lady Milioent North. Such a charming woman—a widow about S 8 years old! tho persuaded Mrs. L’oyd to lot her have mo for a week or two; and, as her dau hter-in-law, a oonttrmod invalid, was coning to spend Just that time with her. my godmother was glud to get me out of the way, I know. lian’t write much, for the post leavos here atand we drop our latest! lottors into tho hall box as we go into dinner. 1 expect the gon i every minute, lhis p aee Is lovely, and tho new Baronet—Sir Charles—is the doaro.t . The gong I Tour own Doily. I felt unoasy concerning this letter. I ‘was sorry Dolly shonld have left her | godmother’s quiet home to visit a gay j young widow just as she was sobering down and growing such a thoughtful little love. It might unsettle her again to pass a fortnight, in a ccuntry-liouse | with a fascinating Baronet; and I knew | Jack Dacre would ne\er permit, never | pardoh the smallest suspicion of flirting. He had pardoned her defection in Frank’s case, for Frank himself had ! pleaded eloquently, saying that she | was very young, so naturally affection- | ate. But mamma and I felt, sure that j not for one hour would he permit the slightest approach to disloyalty to bis i deep tenderness for bis girlish betrothed Neither her youth, her love of fun, nor her merry heart would plead one atom in her favor, so I read this letter with a heavy heart. My answer was as follows: . | Dearest I ol'y: Your letter reached me in j tin oto ha e t o box sent to Highwood. You will ioo.-Ivc it s * n a ter this reaches you. Write vor fuliy, so • your loiter was tantalizi Ing. fend mo a lull description of every I one, for you bavo rousod my curiosity as to ; “Bir Charles," who n "ti e ditir »st ” i The rest of my letter.contained borne ! news, and I need not transcribe it But Dolly’s answer I will transcribe: I “You ask me for a description of everybody, darling, Lady Milioent is very beautiful, clever,and devotedly attached/to thiß Sir Charles; but 1 feel sure her heart is buried in the grave of lie* noble husband. I send her photo, so need waste no words in describing her. “Sir Charles is very fascinating, though I fear my description- may not

predispose you in his favor; but you beg me to be particular. He is short and stout, has a very fine head, but rather thin light hair, fine eyes, good month, but not much of a nose—in fact, it is all tip—-very nice hands and feet. He is, I belieTe, very talented, but does not employ his' gifts, seldom talks, never reads, is a little fond of eating. In spite of these drawbacks, he is very charming, and all the girls far and near make a great deal of him. Of course, he is rich. He likes Lady Milicent to live in the She has complete influence over him.” ~ I was much relieved after reading this letter. I felt so easy in my mind that I told Dolly how X had feared for her. “But,” I wrote, “of course you never could really admire a fat little man, who never reads or talks, and with a nose all tip, and who cares for nothing but eating.” It turned out that the most unfortunate thing I could have done was to oonfess my fears to my provoking sister. She answered me by'vehemently declaring that Sir Charles was the most lovable fellow she had mot for a long time, and really was so excited that I posted a letter to her at once. “You distress me, Dolly. You know Mr. Dacre would never "forgive yon if he saw your letters. I hide them even from mother. Oh, pray do think before yon madly risk the loss of his love, for that will follow the very hour he loses his high opinion of you!” This is how Dolly answered my tender appeal: “What a lecturing little thing you are getting, Kitty! I am very much attached to Sir Charles; and, if Jack is ever so angry, I can’t help it.” Thus flippantly the letter ran on, I was really angry and distressed, but resolved to try no more lectures; they clearly made matters worse. So, the next time I wrote, I gave a full description of a day we had spent in court hearing Mr. Dacre plead. I described his dignified appearance, his easy, graceful gestures—above all, I dwelt on the beauty of his nose. Dolly answered: “I am quite shocked at you, Kitty, to make such an idol of a nose!” And then she continued, as usual, about Sir Charles. Meanwhile Mr. Dacre seemed quite happy, and said he had his daily letters from Dolly as regularly as when she was with Mrs. Lloyd. Was my beloved sister growing deceitful? I kept all this from my mother; but I grew more and more wretched over Dolly’s letters. A picnic would be “glorious,” for Sir Charles was going. She had spent the whole morning “quietly with Sir Char las.” Once lie was indisposed, and she had “nursed him, played for him, sung to him.” Well. I could do nothing more. I resolved to say not another word about him to any one else. I began to dislike the very sound of his name, or rather the sight of it; and when Dolly declared I should like him as much as every one else did, I made up my mind that I hated him. I wrote one more tender appeal, which I said was my last. Every Tuesday mother and I had Dolly’s letters, but one day there was none by my breakfast plate as usual. Mother read hers. “Dolly says she has written to you,” she observed presently. “How can it be that you have not received it?” Mistakes of the postoffice are so rare, we could but suppose she had omitted to post it. By the next delivery, however, I received a letter from Mr. Dacre, containing an inclosure which turned out to he a letter to me from Dolly. A few lines from him ran thus: .Boar Kittle —I had read too much of the nclosed before I discovered tho mistake. If you rece<vc a letter from Dolly before this reaches you, you will have discovered she has mieeeot tho letters. 1 shall run down to Highwood without loss of time. I had not received any letter then, but by the second country delivery came one directed to Jack at once. The letter he had read began thus: All you say Is useless, my darling. I love Sir Charles devotedly, and he has this day declared he loves me. You ask mo, does he know I am engaged? I told him a gentleman was coming to soe me; b it ho seemed little concerned at this piece of information. So far Mr. Dacre had read, and the mine was sprung. I locked my room door and fell back, despairing, into an easy chair. I was resolved to hide all from my mother till Mr. Dacre had seen Dolly. I hunted up Bradshaw, and found that a train started about 4 o’clock that would convey me to Highwood by 7:50. If Dolly wrote to me at once I should get her letter by Thursday; but of course I should hear from Jack on Wednesday. I dreaded every ring, every postman’s knock. All day Wednesday passed and no letter arrived from my sißter or her lover. ' On Thursday morning I ran down when I heard the usual welcome sound. On the table lay a thick letter adi dressed in Dolly’s handwriting. I ran up to mamma and gave her the one I found inclosed in it for her; then I sat down to read mine, after fortifying myself with a cup of coffee. I must give every word of it: “You are well aware that a catastrofiho has happened through my heedessness. The best thing will be for me to describe fully the whole consequences of that misfortune. On our return from the garden party on Tuesday I found a telegram .awaiting me from Jack—‘Shall be with you by 7:56.’ Of course this awoke no fears in my mind, for I knew J ack might run down at any moment the trains permit. Lady Milicent sent me off at once to be dressed by her artist-maid. What she made of me you must have seen to believe, Kitty. I would not look at myself till the whole process was complete; and, when I glanced in the long glass, I was really amazed at what I saw. It was the result, I now know, of many discussions between Lady Milicent and this gifted young person. You may imagine how I exulted in the thought that Jack would see me look as he had never seen me look before, for I am so improved in health that my whole appearance is changed. Well, the bell rang. Lady Milicent received Mr. Dacre in the morning room, and came to-send me down at once, f I ran down with my heart bounding.

1 1 entered the room. I noticed Jack give one start; bat he received me ir snch a very un-Jack-like manner that 1 was terrified. ‘Mamma—Kitty?’ I j cried. ‘Quite well when I left them,’ said Mr. Dacre; but when he placed j me in a chair, and took- one opposite to i me, I felt matters were desperate. ‘What is wrong?* I gasped. ‘Dearest Jack, pray speak!’ ‘Only an address, said he, find put the unfortunate envej lope in my hands. ‘This contained a letter for your sister, which I, perhaw fortunately, read before I perceived the mistake. I have just seventeen min utes before I leave for the return train; so, if yen wish to say anything, let me beg of you to speaicatonce.’ “I sank book in my chair and covered my face with my handkerchief, trem bling with agitation. * Will yon heai my explanation?’ I stammered. ‘Need less; the letter can have but one meaning. I came to release you from yom engagement to me. Did this scoundre. know you wero engaged?’ I covered my face again. To hear Sir Charles North called a scoundrel was too much for me. I did not speak for severs minutes; but time was flying fast, am. at length I said, ‘lf this is in truth our last meeting, grant me one favor; say that you will before I tell you what it is. Of course it is a reasonable, honorable request that I wish to make; but 1 own it is one you will not like to grant.’ He paused a moment, then said, ‘I will do whatever you ask.’ ‘I ask you to see Sir. Charles North.’ He wineed, but bowed silently. I left the room to see the Baronet. I found him in his own room, intently studying an immense book—but only the illustrations, I believe. I' asked him to come with me to speak to a gentleman who was waiting to see him. He flatly refused. Time was rushing on. I knelt by him, implored him. At last I kissed him, and he yielded. “Taking my hand in a firm clasp, he descended with me to the room where I had left Mr. Dacre. Jack stood, moody and stern, pale as ashes, where I had left him. We entered. I led Sir Charles toward him. ‘Mr. Dacre,’ said I, ‘let me present you to Sir Charles North, Baronet.’ Jack started—paused —seized Sir Charles in his strong arms, and—threw him out of the window?— no, kissed him! For this‘scoundrel,’ this ‘fat, greedy, idlo little man’ is the dear littlo son of Lady Milicent, aged just 2 years! Now you see, Miss Kitty, you had better have had a little faith in your sister for once. You put all this into my head, and I could not res st the joke; but it shall be my last, for never more do I wish to see such a look of pain in the face I love best in all the world. “Jack did not go back by the return train, though he was obliged to leave early this morning; but I do not think I can stay away from him one day over a month. Lady Milicent says you must come to take my place. She will write and ask mamma. You will soon be as madly in love with Sir Charles.” And so it proved. I went to stay with Lady Milicent; and of all the darling, quaint, noble, chubby littlo pets I had seen, Si* Charles was the king. At the end of the year Frank returned in time for Christmas. He did not go back to India; he settled in England. He and I were married about six months after Dolly. We both live in a lovely part of Kent. Dolly’s husband pets and loves her devotedly. My husband adds to all his love a delicate, tender homage, infinitely precious to ipe. “Kitty, dearest, ” my mother once said to me, “you aud I have tasted the fullest earthly happiness. We both know that reverence is the perfectly peerless jewel in love’s crown; hut we must earn it.” A brave Eton boy spends as much time with us as his mother can bear to spare him, and the most welcome guest in Jack Dacre’s home is Sir Charles North, Baronet.