The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-29
THE GREEN LANTERN.

THE GREEN LANTERN.
Think I am safe ia saying that Paul
Stanford hated me from the time we were
istle boys at school together, up to the
period of which am going to tell you.
Unfortunately we had always been in
some sense rivals. We we're nearly of
the SANS aSs-our tastes were somewhat
Einnilar-our circumstances in life much
alike, and we were in the same classes
and studied the same books. Probably
it was more because I applied myself
closer to my studies than he did that I
out-stripped Paul, and under all circum-
stances, where scholarship was concerned,
bore of the palm. Naturally, he was
brilliant indeed-but he lacked applica-
ton; and we all know that to become
scholar requires time and patience and
hard study. even if one is genius in
the beginning. Paul had one decided
advantage over me. He was handsome
and graceful; all the girls in the vicinity
made him aware Of it. He was self-con-
ceitad naturally, and the adulation he
received made him vain. Nothing makes
o fool of man any more speedily than
to have the women-folks make too much
Of him. Gay, and gallant, and courteous
no Ras to all of them--but he coveted
the love OF only. one. Florence Wayne
was sweet little brunette of two or three
and twenty, and all the young men in
town were in love with her. She had
only lived in Marley two years. Her na-
tive place was Philadelphia, but her
fathers health requiring change of air
they had come to Marley and established
themselves in pretty cottage on the
Pownai road. Florence was accomplished
in no ordinary degree, and she had ira
veled o great deal, which is after all the
best way Of educating oneself. In Phila-
delphia she had moved in the first So
ciety. but she did not hold herself above
taking part in our rustic merry -makings,
and at the husking and apple bees, and
dances, she was the life of the company.
none of her suitors; was kind and cour-
teous-nothing more. AS for me I had
been beauty worshipper always, and
when saw Florence Wayne I met for
the first time my ideal woman. My heart
went from me and never came back. In
nv widest dreams had never imagined
ever 30 family that such glorious vision
would ever come upon me in dull. prosy
old Marley, where nothing ever did hap
pen, year in and year out. I had seen
very little of the world, and was shy and
awkward, and the passion felt for the
beautiful Florence did not tend to make
me less embarrassed in her presence.
The fact of it was, the sight of her con-
fused me to such degree that was
always making myself ridiculous before
her, and if she had not been the kindest
hearted girl in existence, she would have
INDUCED in many hearty laugh ut my
expense. Once summoned up courage
enough to invite her to ride with me. I
had as fine horse as there was in the
country, and good buggy. and might
have enjoyed myself If I had not been so
awkward. AS it was, trod on Floronces
dress, struck her bonnet with my elbow
in getting into the carriage, switched the
whip into her face, and did score of
other things which would have died to
prevent. She made me 80 terribly con-
scious that I possessed hands and feet
that must be disposed of some way, and
how this disposition was to be accom-
plished was the question.
Paul Stanford loved Florence, also,
but his love did not make a fool of him,
as mine did of me. He was always just
SO polished and brilliant, and could say
his wittiest things with the dark eyes OF
Florence full upon him-just as well rs
if she had been thousand miles off,
Oh, how envied him-his easy, quiet
nonchalance-and how chafed and irri-
tated I was by the patronizing air he
assumed towards me. But ut last, fate
gave me chance to do Florence q SER
vice-to prove to her that I was not
coward, though I might be an awkward
clod-hopper.
Marley was sea-coast town, and it
was to avail himself of sea air and bath
ing, that Mr.. Wayne had removed thither.
Almost every fine day, he and Florence
were down on Point Pleasant beach
Mr.. Wayne bathing. and Florence read
ing and watching him.
The attachment between this father
and daughter was very strong-possibly
because MFR. Wayne had tried hard to be
both father and mother to his girl.
Sometimes, when 1 could get up snf-
ficient courage to do SO, would go down
to the Point and join them, but these
occasions we're rare, because could not
make sure that Florence wanted me to
n (sturb them often. True, she always
hilod, and made room for mo on the
y ck where she found seat, but she did
not smile much, and she had way of