Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-06-13

well. Meeta hurried into refreshmen,-
room, where after hasty glance to see
that she was not observed, she filled for
herself brimming glass Of Margaux,
and drank it almost at one swallow.
Before Talfourd sailed, 1 discovered
that he had found out Meeta Carr's great
defect.
The birds had sung the new music of
two spring times to the skies of America,
blue as those of Italy-twice had the for
est fairies of the New World kissed every
branch and stem with their loving and
glowing lips, while Talfourd and 1 wan
dered in the "foreign parts" 1 had
Joined him in the Levant, and we had
travelled over the East together. We
had got back to Paris again, and found
it ringing with the beauty and grace of
young American girl. At the opera,
a few nights after our arrival, we obser-
we'd sudden stir and rising of glasses.
"Noila," said the enthusiastic young
Frenchman, who had been gathering to
us of large wondering eyes, and pearly
teeth, and exquisite shoulders. 1t was
Meeta Carr.
We went round to her box. At 6rst /
was deceived by the well trained self
possession with which she greeted Tai
fourd, but 1 happened to look down
among the folds of her ermined cloak,
and my eye caught the quick clasping
and unclasping of her small hand. Her
remarks to me were in French, but after
the first words of salutation she spoke to
him in English. The unconscious com.
pliment was not lost. He seemed al
once under spell. 1 had never really
thought that he loved Meeta, and had
fancied that two years had effaced al
impressions, but Irue poets heart was
that of my friend Job. What a name
for son of thine, Apollo The en-
bers of affection could never become en-
tirely dead. And Meeta? I? 1 soon saw
that the struggle was to recommence.
She had much to tell the next morn
ing of the events of two years. The
great sorrow of her life had fallen upon
her. Her mother had died very shortly
after my departure. For a moment !
hoped that grief had led her to high
er power, but alas no Her lame
brothers. health had brought her with
her uncle to Europe. To this child, the
last of her immediate family, she clung
with idolatrous tenderness.
knew there was little food for hope
that glittered through her downcast eye
lashes when she spoke of Talfourd ; and
Paris was of all places the last in which
to indulge it. Frivolous and perhaps
heartless as French women may be, they
are most of them unaffectedly religious,
and this without the embarrassment and
secrecy in it which distinguish Protes-
tants. Poor Meeta.
was hardly prepared for her passion
ate turning away from all homage to seek
that of Talfourd. Paris was at her feet
Men of the world, scholars, military men,
noblemen, poets, pursued her with ex.
quisite gallantry, delicate fattering at,
tentions but she sent them down the
winds as though not worthy of thought
Oh i! how many arts love taught her,
and how day by day her feelings grew
more eager, her heart sickness more in
tense. She did nothing unmaidenly,
nothing forward, but it seemed as if hel
feelings could not be repIessed. Tai.
fourd was too absent minded to be very
close observer, but l thought he mus
see this. Many an irascible Frenchmar
looked at him with a muttered "Sacre, "
as his own attentions were repulsed fol
those which Talfourd offered with such
strange, variable, uncertain manner.
Summer drew on, and the Baths o.
Lucca were recommended for little
Charley Carr. To my surprise Talfourd
insisted upon going thither also.
"You had better stay where you are, .
1 said. "Do you know what you are
doing ?"
"What do you mean ?" he asked.
"You understand me. do not wish
in such connection to speak the lady''
name even to you ?''
He looked offended and turned away
The next morning he said, al am going
to Italy when the Cars go. You can
come with me or not as you choose"
But Talfourd- -"
eff you wish to continue your las
nights remarks, Lawrence, you mus
excuse me. We will not resume tina
subject at this or any other time"
1 knew Job did not get his temper
from the land of Uz, so l said no more
At the Baths the same scene was re-
enacted. There was much company
there, and Meeta queened it over all
The impressible Italians raved abou
her. There was wealthy English no
bleman, one of the most striking men
ever met, who would have given hal
his fortune 10 bear back such bride tC
his velvet Westmoreland glsdes. l die
hope that some one would succeed in di
verting Meeta's regards.
"This is my first and shall be my las
at matchmaking" said l to myself