The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1866-05-10

BY AMELIA PETIT.

BY AMELIA PETIT.
no, Carrie, /" not even q bud" can I
spare from my peerless rose. No doubt it
seems selfish to keep them all, when you so
much desire single one. You have been
very kind to me, darling, since my illness,
Frightening by your presence and sympa
thy many kark hours of suffel ing. The
rose tree shall be yours when my nights
have become days in that other land
Since little Eva was in, prattling Of your
two lovers, havs had story to tell you /;
if you have leisure to remain. 1 think [
think / feel strong enough to relate it now.
Raise my head u little, please; that will do
nicely-thank you.
1t will be twelve years to- morrow, since
my twentieth birthday. Your mother was
but one day past eighteen, but we always
celebrated the festivals together. Upon
this occasion uncle gave US grand party
/ dressed early, for my betrothed, Law
renee Elmore had promised to come before
the company arrived and bring me flowers.
I anticipated something beautiful, for his
taste was exquisite. He came, bringing a
boquet of halfopened rose buds and blue
violets; besides this a branch from rose
tree. bearing three fragrant white buds,
just ready to expand into full flower. The
buds he insisted upon twining with his
own hands among my braids and ringlets,
which he accomplished with wonderful
skill, making the green leaves and snowy
buds CLEAN here and there among the dark
curis, in way that won praise and admi-
ration from all. "My taste" was commen-
ded again and again, and laughed the
compliments off as best could for to no
one, not even your mother, had ! told the
secret OF my engagement Lawrence was
. clerk, industrious and economical. Still
he deemed it not prudent to marry in less
than two years, and 1 insisted that if he
waited SO long, the engagement should not
DO public. My only motive was to avoid
the oommeuts and discussions of acquaint.
ances.
Our party passed pleasantly; the re-
freshments, music, flowers, everything,
were admirable the company was in fine
spirits, and nothing occurred to,lnake it as
q dark hour in my life. Among the guests
was Mr.. Hueton, just returned from a
heightened tour in South America.
Early in the evening he was introduced
to me, and entertained me greatly with
accounts of wild adventures and descrip-
tions Of tropical scenery. Several times,
during the evening, We were thrown to-
gether, and that subtle something which
tells maiden when she has won new ad.
mirer, told me that Lewis Hueton would
pursue the acquaintance. Months of gay
ETY. followed, and people began to notice
the attentions paid me. Lawrence was sci
dom present; books and study occupied his
time, save when he spent quiet evening
with me. These evenings became less
frequent, for went out constantly. There
was new charm in the devotion of wealth
lest, best educated man of the set never
stopped to think whittier / was drifting.
One day, some six months after our party,
bouquet was sent me, with note. had
not seen my betrothed for two weeks, and
said to myself, he has sent this to say he is
coming to night. Iopened and read.
"Clara With the flowers, accept the
devotion OF one who would be more than a
friend. LEWIS HuyroNn
The paper fell from my startled fingers,
and Tor the first time in months was oblig
cd to think. STOPPING to raise the note, I
brushed against the rose, which, with inf
mite care and patience, 1 had reared from
the branch worn upon my birthnight. The
gentle touch Of the leaves upon my cheek
smote me like blow.
All the day was spent in thought. Law
renee, Iargued, does not really love me, or
he would be more attentive. / have scarce.
ly seen him for two months, and he is be-
coming 80 quiet and abstracted, that his
visits are not as pleasant as formerly. Why
should my youth and beauty be wasted in
planning little economies, as a clerks wife,
when, as Mrs. Hueton, every wish would
be grati6ed! At evening, having stiAed
love and conscience, dressed to meet Mr..
Hueton. He came--told me how l had
grown into his affections, and offered heart
and band for my acceptance. / did not
then ssoept his proposal, thoagh / gave
MIN reason to expect my answer would be