Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-02-05
VOLUME 13---NUMBER H.

this womani" And as the interrogation PASSED
through his mind, another laugh from her was
the response.
Atlengih hFitzfooltook hisleave. Smith threw
down the book he had been Holding, and drew
near to Josephine, aud looked her in the face.
Josephine" he said, "may ask it of your
friendship to answer me one question with the
most perfect irankness and sincerity!"
"Do not doubt, Mr.. Smith," was the reply,
"thai II give you any answer, it will be a true
and candid one"
"li-you knew how much rested upon your an.
swcr, Josephine, ] am sure il would be an honest
one. DO not suppose that am uttering the rant
OF IN ordinary lover. As heaven is above US,
speak no idle or unmeaning words. This is the
most critical moment Of my life. Nay, my life
hangs upon it,"
"Really, Mr.. Smith, am growing quite curl.
Gus; pray, what is your question:
''Do you, Josephine, positively forbid my en-
tertainlng even the distant hope Of ever winning
your consent to be my wile!"
"Yes, Mr.. Smith, most positively, most con.
cluslyely, most irrevocably.
"Be guarded, beseech you, Josephine, in
your language, and understand well the spirit of
my inquiry. ! do not ask if YOU love me now.
but would know, with all respect, believe me,
whether your indifference springs from perfect
freedom and yacuity Of heart, or whether you
prefer any other sutor to myself"
Now" thought Josephine, "by an innocent fb
| can put stop to his plaguing me in this way"
She paused; and then hanging her head as if
half-ashamed Of the lalsehood, she replied: "Mr.
Smith, pray regard the confession as confidential
| yes, do prefer another"
! Smith seemed COMPOUNDED for some moments
as if he had receiveda stunning blow. Helook-
ed in her face without speaking, then turned, took
up his hat from the floor, where he had dropped
| it and, with one mighty effort sitting his emo
tion said in firm tones, "Do not fear, Miss de Val
vile, that shall ever again molest YOU upon this
subject. Forget my presumption in mistaking
what was mere friendly paralty on your part,
Tor an indication of your hearts preference.
am amply punished for my folly. FAREWELL"
"Iou will be at Mrs. Dazzle's ball tomorrow
night, Of course!" said Josephine, carecssly.
"lt is question whether | shall have it in my
power" replied Smith, with strange smile
"Good morningl"
The ball took place the next night, and all the
fashion Of New Orleans was assembled on the oc-
casion. Josephine was present, and never had
she seemed in such exutng spirits or looked
more radantly beautiful. During pause between
one of the dances, while the musicians were re-
tuning their instruments, she saw knotof young
men collect about one of their number, who had
apparently been communicating enews of some
occurrence, which created profound sensation.
Josephines curiosity was excited, and she deter.
mined to find out what was the matter. Beck
Oning one of the group to her side, she asked
I"What is 1t, Mr.. B! am dying to know. .
"You will know it in the morning, replied Mr..
B. at is not appropriate news for ball,
room."
"Lcave me to be the Judge of that. Come,
: tell me, and by way of reward, you shall dance
the next waltz with me-"
"Since you insist, this is it," replied the youth
thus importuned. "Yourlriend Smith was found
shot through the heart this evening in the public
street. He undoubtedly committed suicide"
Josephine turned pale, and seemed to shuddcl
for moment. And then the excamations from
her lips flowed in this wise: elbow very shocking
: What foolish fellow! really believe he did i
out of spite. WE'LL he has spoiled our amuse
ment for the rest of the evening. Of course
} you don't expect me to waltz with you now, Mr..
: IB-?"
w lO( uCSuC ~ waltz WIFI you ever dSdlll
| Miss de Nalville," said Mr.. B, turning on hi,
heels; for he had heart enough to feel chilled anC
repelled by the cold-bIooded indifference witt
. which she had received the news of the death o.
one whom herown irigidity had driven TO despair
But Josephine was not passionless. The mas
ter-spirt Of her destiny had not yet crossed he
| path, that was all.
= The calamitous circumstances Of poor Smith
! death were soon forgotten in the fashionable
world, TO which they had communicated mo
$ menary shock. Two years rolled away; ant
the season of 1874 commenced in all its gavet,
and glory. Josephine had now reached the plen
! litude of her destinations and power as BELLE
S She was more beautiful than ever; and apparent
| ly more indomitable. OF the many suitors VIII,
Y sighed at her feet, it was evident that she careC
+ just about as much for one as for another.
+ The dancing at one of Mrs. RS brilliant as
semblages was beginning to flag. Josephine
weared and oppressed by slight headache, hat
retired to one of the embrasures of the windows
and seated herself upon an ottoman. Two o
three new-hedged dandies were bending over hel
making tender inquiries after her health, and str
. wing to engage her attention, while she, with
oOi' vi iol was llGl
:. away, when suddenly some object in the adjoir
: ing room appeared to engage her attention.
g "Tell me, Flurerwell, who is that gentleman
/, who seems but to have just arrived, if we ma
= Judge from the manner in which our hosles
is greets him!" asked Josephine.
l. Fluuerwell detached his quizzing-glass fror
n his white vest, rubbed it with his handkerchie
e and deliberately adjusting it to his eyes, after
1t pause, replied: "Never saw him before in m
n born days-'pon my word can't inform you-bl
if you have any particular objectin knowing, l.
IS inquire, shall I?'
a "Do just as you please" said Josephine, petr
Q lantly.
+. Snow, really, Miss de Valville-'pon my wor
e YOU cut me 10 the heart when YolI-aw-oo