The Hickman courier., 1868-07-11

persuade ny darling child 10 outrage ri
her own best feelingsl tell you frank
Iy, deplore your choice. Wiser thai
you, see consequences which you eth
er know nothing of, or despise. But il
you really love Juan Egerton, opposi
ton of mine is useNfss The only thin,
left for me to do. is to help you all in IN,
power"
You will do that, mamma you will
really do that, exclaimed Seleme earn
estly.
Am not your mother2 IF you ha,
trusted me earlier, you might have spar
ed yourself m1ch pain. Listen now,
must see Mr. Egerton tell him frapkl,
what are your prospects; see what re
sources he has, and then make the bes
of Il with your father
'sBut-but-I don't half like to haxl
you ask him about his reseurces-he i
so proud he may be angry"
Trust me. Seleme, | will not offend
his pride ReCUllect he is man, and
will understand better than you, that i
am to do anything with your father,
must proceed q business like way
When is he coming here next z"
Seleme blushed slightly, "Heis com
ing this morning. l fancy that is his
voice notc at the door"
7d1t naieu1l Stahd here; | will gC
below aud have these troublesome mat
ters settled, said M1e Morton.
Seleme sat as ia dream. The sofI
wrapper drew away from her the gil
ding footsteps ceased TO suGnd on the
staircase the heavy parlor door closed
below, and she sat, turning her ring round
aud round, lost IN delicious thought. She
had never dared to think before that she
could marry Juan; but nolO, that hei
mother had taken il in hand she fell
safe. for who ever knew her mother e
fail in anything she undertook? And
how kind it was in her mother Who
would ever think she, Of all women in
the world, would ever lend helping
hand to a love affair? She who had
married for money herself, aud never
professed a warmer emotion than snbi-
tion-how could she ever thank her suf-
6ciently, or love her enough. The lit
tie clock on the mantle struck twelve. Il
had been an hourl What could they
be talking about? quarter past half
past She grew uneasy should she
20 down Stairs But at that moment
her mother opened the door, looked
flushed, and anxious, hurried in aud SAT
down.
Wen - asked Seleme eagerly.
My poor, poor child, said Mrs. Nor
ton ompassionately.
Seleme started back, and threw aside
the caressing hand.
8 What do you mean? What is it?''
My dear child, Mr. EgertOn refuses
you"
" Refuses mel
" Yes, virtually I told him frankly
low small was the hope Of aid troui
your father, aud that he must rely wholly
on himself lie expressed himself very
sorry; but said in that case II would be
quite impossible TO marry you. a. such
a union would be simple folly, and worse
than madness
- don't believe it never will be-
Eeve it, exclaimed Seleme hotly.
" He is down stairs now; come, and
hear for yourself, only pray be calm
You know there is nothing so absurd as
scene. Do have little pride He is
cool enough about it, | am sure.
Useless admonishing Seleme did not
even hear her She went straight up to
Juan, who had the grace to look slightly
uncomfortable.
. Is it true " she asked, seiEing hi-
hands eagerly
My dear Seleme am"
" Is it true, | demand p
g am very sorry"
1t as true, then, and dropping his
hand she sat down on sofa, aud looked
him straight in the face
Relieved from the immediate vicinity
of her pale cheeks aud flashing eyes
Juan took courage
= Miss Seleme, in this life we mus,
bave little common sense. / love you
of course. | should be very happy to
marty you, if your father could be per
-saaded To think faVorsbly of it. If al
any time he should change his mind, my
heart is always yours, you know; but
as told your mother, what will not sup
port one will not support two, you know
even should be base enough to think
OF taking you from this palace like home
to my den of lodgings. Believe me
Miss Seleme, it is batter as it IS"
Il do believe yolse-agree with you
mot fully and can never sufficiently
thank my mother for her kindness.
| think | should prefer even Mr.. Holmes
to a heartless fortune hunter"
But"
You have said all that is necessary
Ii ere is your rins~ send me mine. Good
morning, Mr. Egerton," and she sailed
out of the room with a queenly dignity
That was the end Of Sciences love
affair. She was little silent for week
OF so refused one or two ipyitations
and Nndeniably grew little pale, but
never referred to Juan Egcrton, even tC
ner mother, and in a month time seem
ed the same as ever. A close observer
might have seen that she seldom OIL
never smiled witfher eyes, and that {
hard, mocking spirit dictated all thai
she said in word, the beautiful, the
gifted Seleme Morton had been convert
ed into a hard, cold woman of the world
She met Juan Egertou in society; treat
ed him with the most perfect civility anC
courtesy. She endVI<d Mr. Holmes at
tentions, and whenfhat gentleman pro
posed, accepted him with this under
standing:
"I don't love you, Mr.. Holmes; tel
you that frankly. My heart is not verl
warm / dou't think l could love any
body If you choose to take me, know
ing these things, will do the best cal
to make you proud of me as your wife
| believe, if l mistake not, that is al
the use you have for me. You imagine
| would grace the head of your princei.
establishment p and she looked up il
his face as calmly as if she was bargain
ing for new bonnet.
It made no difference to Mr.. Holmes
for he had determined to marry Mis-
Seleme Morton years before-even befor
she had merged into sunny girlhood.-
He had confidence in the power of hi
will. He did'n expect that she woul'
love him he would not have believed
if she had told him so, bat be liked be