Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-11-19
a MALE UUaUETTE,
AND WHAT HE GOT BY IT

&c Engaged to be married-really engaged to
be married Goodnes gracious there's an
amount of responsibility in the thing that
never dreamed of before And such giddy,
reckless creature as I've always BEEN how
can ever become worthy Of such noble fol-
low as Charley Warren7 OH must be very,
very demure and steady nowI'
Thus mused little Cora Clifford, sitting in
the pink shadow of tho rose-colored silkeR
curtains of her boudoir. The waxen camelias
were still cleaning in the golden curls and the
diamonds yet flashed on her full white throat.
You might see deep rosy tint on her dimpled
cheek, and radiance beneath the downcast
lids OF her glorious eyes as if she was in a
happy dream.
All no wonder that she forgot to lay aside
the glittering robe of lace and azure satin |;
no wonder that her tiny fingers played me-
chanically with that stray curl, and neglected
to unelasp the bracelet and necklacel For
Cora had entered an enchanted land that eve
ning-in the interval of the &c German" while
they stood together in the cool conservatory,
under the shadow Of orange-blossoms and
pure lilies, Charley Warren had told her that
he loved her better than any one else in this
wide world. And the crimson fire had burned
in her check until the red roses in her bosom
was pale beside it.-And somehow her head
had dropped upon his stately bosom, and he
had captured her little white trembling hand
-and-and she couldn't exactly remember
how IT hanneped-, onlv she was sure that they
Were engaged d be marned sg-is,ss
AS she laid away the shining gems, and
parted back her gold-bright hair, and when
the sleeping angel sprinkled his balmy incense
on her brow, there were tears on her pillow nf
down; oh such happy, happy tears
No chance fer tho other whiskered exqui-
sites now They all had to stand aside from
Charley Warren's triumphal path. Dick Aims
lie, Chester Howard, Frank Irwin, even the
magnificent st. Aulyn, just from Italy, who
moved down feminine hearts just as reaper
mows nodding grass, acknowledged with signs
that the belle of the season had no more
thought for them. No matter how like minia-
ture herses their moustaches were trained
no matter how carefully their perfumed curls
were arranged-no matter how like Apollo
himself they stalked into bathrooms and saloons
the beautiful Miss Clifford deigned them only
cool bow, and reserved all her soft glances
and smiles for that wretch-Charley Warrenl
Men are conceitcd creatures at best-it does
not take much to spoil them, and Charley
Warren, though as noble a specimen of the
genus homo as one often meets, began, after
while really to fancy himself little more
fascinating than anything else that ever wore
pantaloons. Is Else," he argued, "why did
Cora Clifford, for whose slightest smile the
whole masculine world wSe=sighipg, prater
him to all their bewitching array 20
Cora stood in the dressing-room at Mrs.
Archer's, arranging wreath of French rose
buds in tine folds of her lovely hair. She was
little late, this evening, and Warren was pa
tiently waiting her re-appearance. She was
unusually beautiful tonight, and very well she
knew it as she stood before the mirror.
The string of her little satin slipper broke,
just as she reached the door, and she stopped
to fasten ii. AS fortune would have it, the
door was slightly ajar, and the voices from
without reached her ear.
&c She's really superb-a regular Boston
beauty. Splendid-Juno- like, you know 20
sAh and Warren's love was decidedly diff
erent."
'sI merely mentioned it as an abstract fact, !"
retained Dick Ainslie, in a piqued manner,
'of course we all know that it wouldn't do for
you to take any notice of her."
What do you mean 2" said Charles, rather
sharply.
" Nothing-only that as you have already
won the loveliest creature in New York,
and you have no right to enter the lists
again."
"I suppose may admire pretty woman
when see her, at least % querried Warren.
" Not if you are wise. A girl like Miss
Clifford, accustomed to being worshipped with
all the soul of her adm irers, wont endure di-
vided homage. Don't try any perilous ex-
pertinent, Warren!'
ssI can say of Cora, 'once won, won forey-
err" returned Warren, with dignifed air,
" and it is a mistaken idea, that when You are
engaged to a lady you are henceforth to give
up all other female society,"
&c Don't know anything about that" said
Dick, provokingly, but this do say-once
commence flirting with other women, and
Cora will flare up"
" And 1 say" exclaimed Charley, in an ex-
cited tone, ethat Cora loves me too well to
question for an instant the propriety of any
thing may choose to do or say. And fur
thermore, wish you distinctly to understand
that am tied to no woman's apron string.
am q free agent, and shall firt, as you term 1t,
just as much as please !"
Cora turned away from the door with burn
ing cheeks and flashing eyes. Her first mo-
tion was that of anger and scorn-her second
OF passionate grief. What would she not have
given for the luxury of s'good cry," at home
in her own chamber? If she had not loved
Charley Warren so dearly, those foolish werds
would not have so agitated her. And after
all, she reflected, they we're only foolish words
vain boasts, uttered when he was stung by
Ainslie's insinuating taunts-she knew his
heart was loyal and trHei But then to speak
of her in that manner-it made her spirited
blood leap up in her veins-Charley needed
good lesson-and he should have It'll
She rose and once more smoothing down
her shining curls, Joined the unconscious
couple who were still talking in the passage
and they entered the ballroom together.
At the conclusion of the first polka, as the
radiant little beauty sat on a lew ottoman
surrounded as usual by crowd of admirers,
buzz and hum at the door announced the ar
rival of the new star, and in minute Dicl
Ainslie came up to Charley Warren.
SCENE, Charley, l want to introduce yol
to that charming novelty. Miss uows. Sh'