The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-09-23

The brilliant gaslights gttered restlessly
among the white and gold decorations OF the
elegant "gentleman's restaurant" the marbled
floor echoed to scores of longing feet, and the
small pearl clock, surmounted by gided figure
of Bacchus, pointed TO the hour of eleven, that
bleak December night. And still the careless
habitues of the place lounged in and out as if
they were well accustomed to the habits OF turn
ing day inty night
lone more glass, Thorpe, before you GO
let US drink success TO your married life in the
brightest champagne that ever melted into COL
den foam :" exclaimed handsome dashing young
man whose laugh had been gayest all the
evening.
But Cyril Thorpe shook his head, smiling, and
bnttOned his coat closer
"No-the sooner | contract habits OF grace
full abstinence the better. | must learn to wear
the matrimonial yoke you know, Mayliei Come.
suppose you walk with me to my hotel; it's just
the right distance for a cigar"
"Wel, if you must go, I'm with you y said
Maybe, lightly, setting down the empty wine
glass. "And en- route you can tell me about
Mrs Thorpe that is to be. I'm quite curious to
learn the charm which mas captivated a gay
LothariO like yourself"
"My dear Maylie," said Cyril with light
sneer, as they emerged arm in arm into the mist
and darkness, "have you lived twenty-six
years in the world not to be aware that there Is
but one charm worth mentiOning?"
And that"
ais good yellow gold, my unsOphsticated
friend"
81 confess though" said Maybe somewhat
puzzled " ! DO not see how this explains Lillian
brakes conquest over you, Thorpe. She's a
pretty little girl with curls just like cOiled sun
shine, and round, cherry cheeks, but | never
heard that she was rich"
Neither is she-but it is in the future that
her prospects lie. Did you never hear of Grant
COlvin, the pursy old banker of C? and did
YOU never know that Lillian Drake was his neice
and heiress :"
"No," said Maybe, with wide open eyes.
"No, well we who pride ourselves on the
cunning of the serpent, if not on the harmless
ness of the dove, find out a variety of things
which remain sealed 70 your daller vision, my
honest companion. You must know that
spent last fall az c., carrying on a nice little
Irritation with black eyed hOuri who happened
to be governcss in the family where ] was stay
ing A splendid girl-dark and sparkling as a
Spaniad, ami full of wild impulses | shouldn't
wonder. by the-by Though never thought OF
it before, } if the mink had gipsy blood in her
By Jove, Lillian Drake is no more to be com
pared with Sara Haynes than a drasght of water
did not amount TO anything. l never thought
Of marrying poor governes. however beautiful
and when learned indirectly where old Colvin':
wealth was TO flow, resolved 70 try my luck
with Lillian the heiress. No sooner resolved thar
dOne-I bought ticket for New York that very
afternoon, and-pshSw, you know the rest Tn
lot often disappointed when make up nv minC
to a thing In hricf, I came, saw and con
queredl'
"Aud the backreyed gOverness ,"
"Oh YOU should have seen the fire fash from
those same oriental orbs when | mentioned a
mildly possible that my feelings had under
gOna a change, etc, etc.
e Seriously, though, Cyril, wasn't it rather
heartess business @
Cyril Thorpe elevated his finely arched brows
maybe, this talk about heart Is all humbug
' | don't believe that such an organ exists, excep
in anatomy SELF interest is the handspring 0
existence. Love- heart and All that sort Of thini
are nonsensel ?"
DO you mean to tell me that you are gonl
to marry Lillian Drake without caring a whit 70
= her."
"Just that, mon ami ! Come, here We are
won't you come NJ to my room and smoke an
other cigars' 81
But Maybe declined rather abruptly GA
young man though he sas, something in hi
honest heart rcbelled against the cold sel6shnes
of ThOrpe's philosophy, and be felt rather re
= heved when two or three squares interpose
their barries OF brick and mertar between hiI
. and his college mate.
Meanwhile Thorpe entered his room, an
throwing himself carelessly upon sofa in frOT
of the glowing soft coal FIRE, took up handfl
Of letters which had arrived during his absenc'
- "Hum - ha - boosmsker - cards TO Mr.
r. Leigh's-letter from NV sister-hallOl what
Of this The little gOverness, as | live"
e The other correspondence fell UNDECIDED upo
y the floor while Thorpe eagerly broke the seal
the small envelope which had 80 instantly a
tracted his attention.