Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-11-25
DIAMONDS VERSUS PASTE.

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you have to do with him the better"
ssBut, father, you have never seen
him, and it seems hardly fair to judge
him 30 harshly."
"Can't help it. It's my opinion,
and you can hsve it at just what it's
worth. I've never seen him, and what
is more, never want to 20
"Why, father !"
"True, Sarah, true as my name is
James Cushman. Pve no idea Of such
oily tongued, white fingered gallants.
They are we'll enough to look at, but
when sensible girl thinks of marry
ing one of them, it is quite different
thing"
ell never spoke Of marrying Mr..
Lacy, father"
"No-perhaps not in so many words,
but it's all the same thing. I can see
through it. He's completely turning
your head with his dandi6ed ways and
soft speeches. tell you can see it
all. Five weeks ago you wouldn't have
treated Cyrus Roberts as you treat him
now, for any consideration"
81 wasn't aware that I had treated
him badly" was the low reply.
ono, but you've turned the cold
shoulder to him completely, Sarah,-
you know that, don't you? It's q
wonder to me how he bears it so patient
~. But the fact of it is just here
Cyrus Roberts little finger is worth
more than Charles Lacy's whole body
yes q thousand times over 20 added
the old gentleman, vehemently.
"Hark, father,-don't!'' Sarah
raised her head and looked hurriedly
out of the window. "Some one is com.
ing. I heard bells few minutes ago.
she added softly.
% ''It is Cyrus /; know his bells
It's lecture night, you know. Now.
my advice to you is to let that Lacy
fellow go, and be the same sensible CIR
that you've always been. Go to the
lecture with Cyrus, and act yourself. .
The old gentleman spoke rapidly, ir
spite Of his daughters admonishing
glances, and before the last words Of
his counsel had fallen from his lips, the
young gentleman entered the room,
It was no common welcome that Cyrus
received, and bright, CHEEKY smile lii
up his honest, handsome face, as Mr..
Cushman shook his hand heartily and
drew big, stuffed chair up before the
fire, almost pushing him into it.
"Pretty cold night, Cyrus pretty
cold night" he said, stirring the fire
vigorously.
"Yes, cold, but fine and clear. It
does ones heart good to be out in the
moonlight. The hall will be crowded
tonight
GO yes this is lecture! I had almost
forgotten it again. I guess I'd bette,
be changing my coat haven't any toe
much time. Sarah you put some more
wood on the fire. l believe this room
is rather cold and you want to be pref.
ty we'll warmed before you start out. D
Sarah went reluctantly forward and
replenished the fire as her father left
the room, but she did it silently, and
without once raising her eyes to Cy.
rus face. Her mood and manner,
which was quite unusual with her, in.
fected the young man as he sat there,
looking steadily at her ayerted face, q
strange embarrassment crept over him.
Once or twice he attempted to speak,
but his words stuck pertinaciously to
his lips. At last with strong effort.
he said, half rising, from his seat:
''Are you going to the lecture to-
night ?"
The question was superfuous one.
He knew as he asked it, that Sarah
was quite ready to 60. Her velvet hat
and cloak were lying waiting upon the
table, and her thin papery rubbers were
warming before the fire. But some
thing must be said, and unconsciously
he stumbled upon a query that was
right to the point.
eyes -I-that isl thought of 60
ing," was the stammeringly given an
swer.
Cyrus could not see any reason for
such q hesitancy, or account for the
sudden rush Of color that crimsoned
Sarah's cheeks. But he said, mo-
ment after, that like himself she was a
victim Of a strange embarrassment, and
smiling at the formality of his words {:
"Will you accompany me %
81 thank you, | should be pleased to,
but I am engaged" was the reply.
For a moment, Cyrus stood up be-
fore her, his deep, searching eyes fixed
upon her burning face then he said,
in a low steady tone, that threw the
heavily fringed eyelids up from the
downcast eyes in sudden fear
every well-very weil.'' And while
the words fingered on his lips, he was
gone.
There was nothing more to be said,
nothing more to be done, he thought,
as he walked with a heavy heart through
the front hall, out of doors. The shock
was sudden and unexpected, but he
would meet it like man for all that.
He would give way to no boyish re-
grets, nor make no unmanly speeches
for her ears. For many years he had
loved her and been true to her. This
was the return she made him. Her
heart was winged away from him by
the first butterfly that Auttered past.
Well, let itgo. She had repulsed him,
and once repulsed, he could not be