Demoine courier., 1854-09-21

SIMPLE white muslin. with o spray of
valley lilies in her rich brown hair, she
descended to the drawing. room on that
suspicious evening. Perfect happiness
filed her heart, beamed In her eyes, aud
dimpled around her coral lips. "Cousin
johns" knowing smile and warm pres
sure OF the hand as she entered, was re-.
turned by a look of afectionate conf.
dence, and even Lawton's compliments
were received more affabIy than was her
wont,
Her beauty had awakened in the vain
heart of the young man, all the love he
could spare from himself. and her unusu.
al loveliness and c~ondescension this eve.
ming, determined him to haza I'd all upon
the decisive step.
Although he had promised, if possible
10 see Gertrude again before his depar.
ture, which was now unavoidable, Ger
aid had not vet arrived, and the happy
girl, who would fain be alone with her
" thoughts, slipped from the room and
sought the piazza where the mildness Of
the evening formed a delightful contrast
to the warm and GRO wded dancing room.
As she stood there, in The calm starlight,
tears Of happiness filed her eyes, and
thankfulness Of the bright promise of
the future possessed her heart. Pres.
emily some one approached and address
ed her.
"Ah! Mr. Lawton," said she. reusinQ
herself. "it 10 beautiful nigh, 10 :. no,!''
"Posaibly. Miss Gertrude, answered
the young man. ''but no beauty has any
charms for me but yours"
"You arc pleased to fauei, sir" re.
turned Gertrude. coldly, bu, pleased 10
feel that her hour of vengeance had or.
rived.
My attention for the past year should
prove that it is not mere hauery replied
Lawton "and ! now ask you 10 reward
such devotion as it deserves"
There was a confidence in his manner
which evinced his belief in his own ir.
res's,abili'y. and tina, be imas med his
plans too we'll laid to ADM, a though, of
failure. This provoked Gertrude aud
banished any regret she might have felt
at paining one who professed to love
her.
Pray. teach ne, sir" said she, "what
reward is due for attentions, the honor
OF which owe TO my wealth alone"
you are unkind and unjust. Miss
Denton" exclaimed her companion. IN
an injured lone IL have neve been
more devoted than before | learned your
real position"
There was a triumph IN his voice
which showed that he believed his areu-
ment unansweraole.
"True, bu, that you know was merely
a filtration. '.pour passe Ie temps" said
she, ironically. 'only TO keep in practice
on ssilly little thing until a more worthy
object should presen, on whom to bestow
your noble and d~isia,erested affec
TONS"
"Gerald Lester has Lesn poisoning
your mind agains, me-" exclaimed the
young man. angrily. y
"Geraid Lester is too noble and gen.
erous to be guilty Of such an action" re.
turned Gertrude warmly.
"No. Tracy Lawton, a year ago, to.
night, | heard you, on this very spot.
boast to Mr.. Lesier. that you were ,ri-
fling with the affections Of a young and
inexperienced girl, though thank Heav.
en-, she learned your true character in
time to guard against your arts! You
asserted TOO. with cool assurance, ~
certainty Of possessing the fortune Of The
unknown heiress. with Ihe sligh, sncum
brance Of her poor rsrson. for this rea.
son. though have scorned to G
age your addresses, / have not repulsed
you that might. at this moment, avenqe
my offended pride.
Lswson looked surprised and abash.
ed on the fair young girl a. she stood in
tie quiet starlight, her slender form
drawn to its full height. and her calm
eye flashed with indignation. He mus,
speak. and 10 cover his ~confusion, he
assumed q ~taurting tons.
"An this 10 very fine. Gertrude Den.
ton, but think yol I cannot soc through
this heroic denunciation? You love ar
other and that too, unsoughf, you are
piqued that my attentions have kept him
Al q distances, aud thus revenge yourself
on me-"
"You are ,nsolent, sir" exclaimed
she, vexed hey Ond measure.
Think not I am blind as well az tho
proud fool who. though a fortune be ly.
ing al his feet. will cot s.oop to pick il
up. shall Be mos, happy to inform the
fortunate Gerald Lester Of the amour,
OF affection lavished on him by Miss
Gertrude Denton. and of which he
seems 10 be so profoundly unconscious"
PRAY spare yourself that trouble, cir
the lady has anticipated you" said a
deep voice al them. aud Gerald Les.
ter advanced from the shadow of the Dill.
lar. Taking Gertrude's offered hand,
he pressed IL warmly to his lips. saw.
ing
"M;ss Denton ha. consented 10 re.
ward . year Of allen, devotion with This
little hand, and has permitted mo to hope
that in Q few shor, months / may present
Ter TO you as my wije! Come, dearest
the night air Will chill you." and draw.
ing her hand through his arm, the proud
h0 nnv e0urlo p-l - -l