Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1914 — EXAGGERATED ACCOUNT [ARTICLE]

EXAGGERATED ACCOUNT

By MARY BARTON.

IJly was a peach! Not only on account of her creamy complexion and violet eyes with extremely long lashes, but she had a way with her, a way that made every one in the world, especially each erf her suitors, feel that he was the only person upon the globe who amounted to much. The suitors consisted'erf Tom, Dick, and Harry. One could say Harry, Dick and Tom Just as well, for It really happened that Harry Hampden, Richard Ingrlduun, and D. Thomas Perrlne were the names of the favored ones. Then there was M. Beaucalre! ■ They called, him -that because he was a mystery. Not only was his immaculate linen fringed, and his one suit and overcoat visibly mended, but he had presented a card bearing the remarkable name of Stuart Rennark Drytoa Sennly to the family, the day he brought Idly home after a fall on the ice. “Some day he’ll come in gold buckles'and ermine, and flap his feathered hat at the rest of you fellows,” teased Tom Perrine, >«and ssyy Tlere;. you little shrimps and tadpoles, all of you must scoot now. I’m the Knight of Umpe-de-Ump, the Prince of So-So, and also Lord Helpusf Git! Tbe fair Lillian is mine.’” When Lily and Tom were alone the subject was dropped. “Lily, I want to talk to you seriously.” It had come. The corners of her mouth went up for an Instant Then she lowered them hastily and looked thoughtful. "Seriously?” “Yes, Lily. It’s time we had. an understanding. Don’t put me off any longer. I just can’t Btand it; you know I love you tmadly. There Isn’t any reason that we can’t get married, right sway if you will only say ‘Yes.’ You know they gave me a boost at the bank, and we can get along in great shape. You are’ the only girl In the world for me.” Lily puckered her brows. “I will let you know next Sunday. Will that do?” “All right; I guess I’ll have to wait” That night much the same converlation took place with Dick Ingraham. But Diok had prospects of losing a rich uncle. N He had a nice gentlemanly position as clerk with a steel company which netted about SBO a month. He knew he could not undertake Lily on that, and put It as delicately as he could about his uncle. Lily was very kind. “You are a dear boy, Dick, but really I’d like you as well without the money. Let me see. Suppose you wait until Bunday.” ' Thus encouraged Dick promised to xralt. Then came Harry, who also agreed ‘o wait until the end of the week. ’ Lily had four days in which to make up her mind. . It was time she decided on which me of the three it was to be. She liked them all. * • The next day Lily crushed her hand, it was all very terrible and she had to have anesthetics and doctors and a trained nurse. It was Friday before the realized much of what had happened, and that her room was full of flowers. The nurse presented the envelopes that had come In the boxes. One by one, Lily read the letters, a eyes. One was from Tom. “Dear Kiddo,” tt said, .‘T sure am sorry about thehand. Tough luck. When may I come around? No hurry about the other. Take .your time. Don’t worry. •Yours, Tom." V Another, from Dick, ran: “Dear Lillian—My, but I am sorry about the little hand? I certainly hope It isn’t so bad as the doctors sayr Don’t worry about your answer. It is too bad I bothered you. Take your time. Sincerely, Dick." Tbe one from Hairy was quite long and tactful, but from, what she could gather, Harry was withdrawing his proposal for the present It had also the “contlnued-imour-next” tone. * Monsieur Beaucalre had sent flowers, too, and a note. "Dear Miss Lillian —My heart is crushed at the thought of your suffering and misfortune. Please accept this little token Of my sympathy. There tt somethin* of the greatest Importance that I would like to tell you as soon as you are In a condition to see me. 1 hope that you will soon cease to suffer. Yours faithfully, Stuart Sennly.” Lillian was astounded. The Uttle token was three dozen American beauties. Then one day she came down stairs and received Stuart, her much bandaged arm and hand In a sling. :, It was afternoon and he appeared perfectly at home in a frock coat and gray troqgers. She thought instantly of Tom’s remark of buckles and feathers. It had come true. Then he told her that he had given up his struggle in the world of inven- ' tlos. “My older brother died In England and I mast go to take his place,” he said. “It is my dnty. WUI you go with me as my wife, Lily? I love you. I can offer you—you will be Lady Sennly.” > T.— "But my band?" -“It breaks my heart for you, and there will be no more music. But why -Should it make a difference. I love you just the same.” Lily’s eyes shone. "Yes there will be music some da% The papers made a dreadful mistake. There is nothing the matter yrith my hand that cannot be mended. And I—" -I love you, lira*