The Hickman courier., 1868-07-11
From the st. Louis Home Journal
A b ROK EN- LEF
BY HRs. ESpIE J. POLK.

Il don't choose. / Non't like Mr
Holmes. He is disagreed be 10 the ex
treme How could possibly go through
the world With a man with whom | have
not the patience to walk quadrille p
And Seleme Morton looked with de-
termined air about the breakfast table
as if she had thrown bombshell into
their dignifed midst, aud was saying
- There, note!'
You would prefer living in third
story, with Juan Egerton, | suppose ]?
said her sister, sneeringly.
Sciences eyes flashed FIRE, and he.
beautiful lip eurled scOrnfully as she re-
piled
"In an attic, aye, l would starve with
him, rather than live in Mr.. Holmes pal
ace T.
Emma Morton was about TO answer
but her mother signed her to be silent
a prudent woman was Mrs. Morton, and
had not the smallest notion OF forcing Sc
lene into an elopement. She changed
the conversations, aud waited till break
fast was over, and ali lad left the room,
before she gently asked her eldest dlugh
ter 10 come with her to the dressing
room.
SeIeme glanced at the diamond flash
ing on her-rhird finger. aud the motto
graved around tt C0Hstans per rita -
with flushing Of the cheeks and com
preston OF the lips, that argued none
too we'll for Mrs. Morton's success, II
she intended a reInOnstrance-uot that
she looked any thing of the sort; per
feet serenity was euthroned on her still
handsome face, as she walked about the
luxurious dressing-room, chirping to the
bird, singing brightly in the sunshine
picking a dead ieaf, Strengthening the
flowers IN the vase, and only glaneing
from under her lashes at the silent fame
burning in Seleme' clear, brown cheeks
aad brilliant black eyes. Suddenly she
went over and sat down by TIE dropping
figure, drew the shining head down on
kher lap, tapped the rounded cheek cares
singly with her white hand, and said:
"COme, Selenle, my pet, tell me about
it?"
Seleme was waiting for a storm, with a
stubborn spirit, but tenderness aud sym.
patby she was wholly uaprepared for
She ,ried to lock defiant, to answer cold
ly, but the words would not come; look
ed up, met her mothers soft, searching
gaze, crimsoned to The temples, aud with
quick, Mpetuous motiN, hid her face
in the folds Of her moth4 y wrapper.
What is it, darlingT urged Mrs
Morton again does my beautiful, gift
ted Seleme really love the handsome
young Egerton?"
Il never meant to. IF could have
thought such a thing possible, l woulc
have avoided him, mamma, murmureo
Seieme But he is SO different from
ali the other men that come here -,
looks so sorrowtui, mamma-my hear
aches for hin-he loves me so devotedly
Our cold American blood knows nothing
of such French fire. He has told me
again aud again, that he whould kill IN,
first, himself afterward, if [ were tC
prove false to HAM, aud believe he would
MAMMA.
\ dark cloud fell over Mrs Morton
face; gone, however, before Seleme look
ed up.
"Have you ever thought of the fu
ture = she asked gently. Il d0u't doub
that you love each other dearly; bu
what can Juan Egerton do to support hi
wiie2 His practice Is not any too exten
sive, | fancy. | notice he speaks as lit
tie as possible about the place where h
lives. There are signs of brushing VI
occasionally in his dress what does b,
propose to do with a handsome, useless
child like you. whose gloves aud slip
piers cost more than his whole income 2
81 wish you wouldn't talk so" saiC
Seleme, reddeuing. "We have ueye
thought about it all; but there is.
shall have money, you know"
That depends ON your father, my love
You know what "A stern man he is-hov
hard to persuade. | have mother
heart, l can sympathise with the romano,
aud passion of this love of yours br
your father is a stern business man. Hi
tirst question will be a49nt dollars an,
cents. He will care ND about bond
and mortgages, believe De. than abou
Juans handsome race or gifted mind
aud he will only laugh at his talk of ( i'll
ing himself. Whether he will give
fortune TO the daughter who deliberate
ly makes a choice displeasing to him
you can judge, my dear, as you are no
ignorant Of your fathers character"
Il did not do it deliberately-I coul'
not help it and if father will not hel,
US, why We must do the best we can.
will work-giye lessons-do anything
tell you ! love him, mamma. Wha
good would carriages and jewels do m
It my heart was in mourning; and as 70
Z NJ IOf~,aa eer,. a~a~ .dsog 80 ~