Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1890 — COURTED BY PROXY. [ARTICLE]

COURTED BY PROXY.

When Lennox Butler went away to Europe he said he should write once a week to Lilly Elwyn. That pert young lady informed her mother that he might do as he pleased, but as she did not fancy him she did not propose to answer his epistles. In vain did Mrs. Elwyn expostulate, for Bhe saw in Mr. Butler a model son. in-law, who was fascinated with her daughter. The letters began to pour in after the first European mail and as Lilly still refused to begin a correspondence Mrs. Elwyn answered them herself, signing her daughter’s name, Mrs. Elwyn having written one letter with Lilly’s signature, no longer felt any scruples in writing more. Two of the brighest and best educated people in society matched their wits against each other, their knowledge of literature and human nature, their experience in life. “Great heaven!” 6aid Lennox Butler to himself, as he read those ho received, “what a wonderful being is that little girl with flaxen hair and baby blue eyes. She is a companion for any man. The beauty of a child, the mind of a mature woman, the soul of an angel. What could be more delightful than a wife like that? And by degrees the descriptions, the remarks and epigrams of his letter were intermixed with compliments, and finally with more than Compliments. Mrs. Elwyn scarcely observed the change. She enjoyed her correspondence tremendously, and it was now a long while since Lilly had even opened the letters. She read and re-read with delight; and thus it came to pass that Mrs. Elwyn sat locked up in her room, actually trembling with agitation, for the letter which had arrived that morning from Mr. Lennox Butler, ended thus:

“We have not known each other long, I know; but our long and frequent correspondence has made us better acquainted with each other than years of mere social intercourse could have done. I always thought you beautiful, but—pardon me—l never dreamed your mind was all that it has proved to be—your ideas of life so true, your ambitions so lofty. It is this that has won my heart, and made my love for you a thing that must endure while my life lasts.” Poor Mrs. Elwyn! the situation almost made her ill. It seemed to her that there was no creditable extrication from this dilemma to be hoped for. “You must accept him, Lilly,” she kept repeating. ■‘l am sure you will be mad not to do so. Oh! how can you laugh? lam sure you have encouraged him. I see now that the letters have really given him hope”— “Your letters, not mine, mamma,” said Lilly. “Remember that. ” “As if 1 could forget it!” cried Mrs. Elwyn. bursting into tears. Then Lilly went to her and kissed her.

“I will answer this letter, mamma,” she said. “Don’t cry. I will refuse Mr. Butler, and he will not wish me to do otherwise when he has once seen my literary effort.” Then she seated herself at her mother’s desk and wrote rapidly, for she had really something to say. “Dear Mr. Butler,” she began, “I have your letter here. In it you are flattering- enough to offer me your hand and heart. However, you do it without knowing me in the least. You say you like my books. Thank you, so do some other people; but as for those letters, they cannot tell you what I am at heart, for I never even saw them. Yours came. I hate long letters, and I asked mamma to answer for me. I did not even read the next You have a very fine collection of letters, no doubt. Mamma is all I am not in mind and education. As to heart, if I have any, I suppose Will Melton has it, fori am engaged to him. So, you see, it is only a fancy about me. Mamma is desperately seriou* and blames herself terribly. I hope you won’t blame her. It really seems a good joke to me. I remain, your friend. Lilly Elwyn.” Lilly posted the letter, and Mrs. Elwyn took to her bed in despair. No answer came from Lennox Butler, who had now been abroad for two years. But one day Mrs. Elwyn, coming in from the street in her most becoming walking costume, found him waiting for her in her reception room. She gave a little cry of surprise; but he came to her and took both hands in his and held them tight, and bent his head and kissed them. “Say that you are glad to see me back, and want me to stay,” he said.

And so it was Lilly’s stepfather who gave her away when she was married to young Will Melton. And there were at least two happy couples in the world that evening—four people who felt that they had chosen well and wisely. vjrw >,■/ . ______________ I'•‘ ' 4 '