The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-06-28
LOVE AND SPITE:
OR,
THE BURNT BOUQUET

can endure TINS state OF things no
aonger p said Charles Glover to him
self, as he closed the door Of the office
behind him, and proceeded up the
street with the firm step Of ono who
has taken q decided resolution, and
intends carrying it speedily into effect.
The day was lovely one, the streets
were crowded with the gay and fash.
ionable-but Charles Intent upon his
own thoughts scarcely saw the smiles
and bows with which many bloom.
ing face greeted | i'm as he passed; and
short walk brought him to the house
it WAS his object to reach.
Miss Ormshy is at home, sir"
said the servant; and in Il moment
Charles cltcrcd the handsome drawing
room, where the beautiful Flora OrmS-
by WAS engaged with some other morn
ing visitors.
"A casual observer conld not have
told, By her reception of the gentle
man, whether his presence was accep.
table or otherwise. 1t was quiet and
we!l-hrel--lhnugh Charles defeated
the slight blush aud the quickcncd
breathing with which she continued the
conversation his cnterencc lad inter,
rupted, and this more than made
amends to him for the very small part
he was cal cd upon to take in it. lie
sat, therefore, little needing the com
monplaces which were poured forth
thick and fast by the different members
OF the circle, and gazed silently upon
the lovely face Of the daughter OF the
house, until the rest had paid their
parting compliments, and the lovers
for such they were-wcvc at last alone.
But it was not only to lovers eye
that Flora Ormshy was beautiful. AS
she stood in the centre Of the room,
bowling to her departing guests, her
tall and commanding form reflected at
full length in the mirror behind her,
and the rich glow cast by the, crimson
curtain add ng still deeper hue TO the
brilliant coloring on her check. her
large dark eyes sparkling with ANNA
ton, and her lovely mouth wrca,hcd
with smiles, you could not wonder ut
the exclamation that involuntariy
broke from the lips Of rival belle
addressed TO one she was intent on
captivating
81 Is she not n glorious creature?"
ies," was the answer; a glorious
creature, indeed But too proud, too
imperious looking for my ideas Of
female loveliness; too much Of the
Juno about her-eh, Miss Grahan?"
But we must return to the lovers,
who, by this time, were seated, side by
side, upon the sofa: Flora's face was
still bright with happiness-that of her
lovers clouded with anxiety.
Flora" he said, "l have come to
make last effort to induce you to con.
sent that should speak to your father.
have yielded too long already to
your wishes, in keeping our engage,
ment secret. is equally repugnant
to my feelings and my principles to be
acting the part you impose upon me-
that of a clandestinc lover, who can
snatch buta stolen interview, and day
after day is obliged to behold the
smiles that are his only, lavisned upon
every one rather than himself"
"Ah, Charles, you are jealous this
morning-l know you arc" said Flo.
70; laughing; "and Of such person,
too! Only be quiet now, that is a
good boy, and ! will promise not to
flirt again with Mr.. Boswell, for a
month, at least!' She added then,
more gravcly--" Can't you sec onh y
ddp:it to throw-you know whon-oil
his guard?"
(" But do not sec tho use of having
any substerfuge in such an affair as
this. Why not let all be fair and
open? Your father surely can have
no reasonable objectionsto our engage.
ment! My family is good-my cha.
ractor is unexceptionable; and, thougl,
not rich. ] surely have as fair prospects
ss most young men,"
Charles, you do not know my
father. His, whole soul is set upon
wealth. His whole life has been