The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-19
Bound 10 E1ope

4 her cousin IIZzle's face, 'all the romance has
departed. Don't you think SO, coz?"
.'Well, never gave the subject much con-
sideration," said her cousin; .but thought I
heard you yesterday saying that Anna Grants
marriage was very romantic"
mo, no, not her marriage, that was very
stupid and matter fact; it was her meeting
with George that was romantic. She fell over
board in one of the boating excursions at Payne
vile last summer, and George who had just
come, and had never seen her, sprang from the
bank and rescued her. To be sure she was
only wet and frightened, and the water was
shallow, but still the incident was delightfully."-
romantic. l wanted her to elope, but she
wouldn't, and they were married in the old
hum drum style. IF ever | marry | am deter
mined to elope. The present style of courting,
proposing and wedding is just as fiat as dish,
water. want little spice of romance in my
matrimonial schemes"
Now, reader. do not think that my little friend
Lola was an empty-headed, romantic smpeton.
Far from it! She was very intelligent highly
accomplished, and in most things very sensible;
but unfortunately Miss Lola had got her pretty
head full Of sentimental poetry and highly TO-
mantle novels; and had taken quite dislike to
the matter of fact incidents. As her father was
wealthy, and her mother hospitable, Lola, of
course, did not lack admirers Among these
there was one that cared nothing for Lola's
money, but loved her with deep, earnest love
for her own bright self. He was handsome,
talented and wealthy, and in every way suita-
BILE match for the coquettiSh beauty. But Lola
treated him with the utmost indifference. Did
he bring her flowers? She tossed them aside,
while he was present. with an air of profound
contempt, and yet If he could have peeped into
Lola's most cherished books, he would have
found that between the leaves were pressed
many of these same flowers Did he ask her
to dance? She was invariably engaged, and yet
her eyes would jealously follow all his move
ments if be took another partner. lfhe wanted
her to sing, she was always hoarse, yet, if she
heard him mention any air as favorite, Lola
invariably purchased and studied it. In short,
disguise or deny it as she would, Lola was in
love with Atheuon Lascelles.
Lola" said cousin Lizzie to her. as they sat
sewing together, don't you think you are
treating Mr.. Lascelles shamefully?"
"Shamefully, Lizzie! Shamefuly? Why, 1
positively accepted an offer to ride with him,
this very afternoon"
Yes know that but you firt with him
outrageously, Are you going to marry him,
Lola?'
Lola shook down a shower of flowing curls
to hide her burning face.
He never asked me, Lizzie"
But lie will He loves you, Lola He told
me SO, and-and- he thinks you-you-
perhaps, that is. you will not refuse him.
Does he? He will find out his mistake"
"Why, Lola, surely you do not intend to re-
fuse him?"
"But do!''
"Why? He is everything desirable Your
father will be delighted with the matchP'
"There now, you have just hit the very rea-
son. He would ask papa and then ask me, and
there would be nothing romantic about lt;.no
opposition; real stupid wedding; trip to Mica
ragua, and then settle down like all the rest OF
the world Bah! the very idea is tiresome! No
am determined when do marry will elope!'
One week later Lizzie and ALherton parted
at the parlor door with these words:
"You are sure,' said Atherton, "that this
is Lola's only objeclion?"
'ESure'
"Well, am glad itisno worse Goodbye" F."
And leaving her with warm shake of the hand
Atherton took bis way to Mr. Grahame' private
counting-room. He was closeted with Mr..
! Grahame for long time, and then came out
with beamng face and light steps. The same
evening found him alone with Lola, in the par
lor. He was very silent, apparently very sad,
while Lola was remarkably cheerful and chatty.
Positively, Mr.. Lascelles, you are very tire
some, said Lola, you are as silent as if you
were dumb. Have you anything on your con
science?"
Lola" said he looking up into her laughing
eyes Lola, love you"
"RealIy. Well, so you have said before. Il
YOU have nothing more original to say, you had
better relapse into silence"
Eyes, but, Lola, - said he, with ugubrous
sigh, Il have loved you long, but never felt
how dear you are to me so forcibly as do to-
night, Before l have loved with hope, now
that must lose you"
Lose me? II mean-that is"
"Yes, Lola, o-nght we must part. Your
father forbds our thinking of each other"
MY father!' cried the astonished girl, "why
I thought-he said-I-I-"
Then you have spoken Of it!'' and there
was joyful thrill in Atherton's voice, ooh!
Lola, may ] hope that you love me?'
IL like you"
lis that all? Alas! your father was right
He said you were too young to love, and that
l was too poor to marry
"Poor?"
"Yes, did you not know the Sing a poor stock
had gone down to nothing, and that all my
property was invested in it? Did you not know
that was penniless? And yet ! dare to love
YOU. Alas! in vain!" and Atherton' head
went down on the arm of the sofa, in an atti-
tude Of deep despair.
Lola stood still, looking at him. For mo-
ment romance was forgotten, and true woman S
nature was strong in her young heart. Poor
and despairing! All! now she knew that she
loved him. Unconfessed before even to herself
there stood the strong love in her heart, defy
inc her to tear it out.
'Athertonh'
The voice was low, very low, and the lips
close to his ear.
"Atherton, look up!"
A low groan was the answer.
''Athertonl'' look up, 'for 1, - oh! how low the
voice sank, Il love you!''
Dear me, how the relative position of the
parties changed! Atherton, erect, manly hold