American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-07-17


am widow, and have lived
two long years in state of single
wretchedness, land have now resolved
to again marry. This fact you must
understand, brings you directly un-
der the attention of M. Paul Lavalle,
who, by the way, must inform you,
is thorough woman-hater."
Is he old 2" asked Viola.
1nNo, he is young but he so utter
ly 4espises women that 1 believe he
woulddischarge you wereyoutO ask a
question beyond your business. He
is polite for all that, and may offer
you the attention due to a lady; but
l beg you to refuse every offer, for
if you do not you will not remain
here"
The request was a strange one,
but, nevertheless, easily granted,
and she promised to do all in her
power to retain her situation.
1t was late in the afternoon before
the gentleman arrived, and Viola
only caught glimpse of tall, hand
some man then bent her eyes resO-
lutely upon her work.
any brother, Miss Burnett p
Miss Burnett raised her beautiful
eyes for moment, and then went
on with her work.
"Do you fancy this work, Miss
Burnett I" he asked.
ayes, SIR"
~ am glad, for Adele is hard to
please. Do you think you will be
content to remain r.
Yes, sir"
The gentleman turned away, evil
IDENTITY thinking it useless to try to
engage her in conversation, and she
went soberly on with her work.
1t rained when the hour came for
Viola to return home, and she stood
a moment at the door, looking out
into the dark, wet streets.
"Miss Burnett SAID Mr.. Lavalle,
"allow me to see you home under
my umbrella
Viola was surprised. Not only
because he was rich man and she
poor milliner, and she wondered
at his offer.
"No, thank you," she replied 81
can go alone"
He had not time to repeat his offer
before she was out and half way
down the street.
1t was darker than she had sup.
posed, and the rain fell in torrents
but she drew her mantle tightly
around her, and with bowed head
walked swiftly along. Before she
REACHED the end of the street there
came sound of sharp, quick steps
upon the pavement, and Paul Lavallt
came up beside her.
"Of course you think me very
bold, but prefer to run the risk o
incurring your displeasure rather
than see you endanger your healtl
by exposing yourself on such nigh
as this"
| He drew her hand within his arm
and together they went to Mrs. Bur
nett's door. Viola allowed him t,
carry on the conversation, answering
only when directly questioned, ano
then only in mOnOsyllables. Sh,
could not help thinking, however
what a pleasant, agreeable gentle
} man he was, and half repented he
promise to madame; but she manage,
to keep it, and bade him q forma
good night with a cool little speecl
of thanks for his kindness.
She had no desire to lose her stu
alton, but she was almost incline
to disbelieve madame's story. Wei
it might be true; and if so, woma
haters were certainly agreeable cres
lures.
The work became a pleasure sine
daily the establishment was brigh
ened with the owners presence; bu
Viola never forgot madame's war;
ing. 1t was all in vain that b
brought fruits and flowers, an
: praised her work. She never lifte
, her dark eyes at his pleasantries
and once when he Glanced to elias
! her white hand in the midi
of confused tangle of ribbons, 81
: never spoke or smiled and he wOul
' not have known that she observe
!, the action, but for the dash of bloc
u which swept across her round cheek
There were many more rain
: nights, and many times the umbrel
Ii was brought forth; and under i
cover Viola trudged home besit
u ! Paul Lavalle. She thought him
y strange man, and felt that MADAM
:, had never clearly understood hi1
J He seemed very unlike her notion
- a woman-hater.
. One day he dropped a note in
4 4 her lap, saying: "Here is lett
le | for you, Miss Burnett. You W
=, u send reply before l come again
le and went away leaving her to sta
O. wonderfully at the little note.
o. After awhile she opened it al
e read:
I'd "VIoLA-You are a strange bein
id and l cannot understand you; but
le understand my own heart, and
IL bids me say ] love you. Will Y
give me the right to call you J
1e own, my wife? l told you | mt
o, know your reply before again con
ly and so it must be. Viola, my d
IN ling, await your answer.
h, PAUL LAvALLE.
A joyous light broke over |
rh face, and with a food of happy tea
d, Viola wrote beneath, " | will be &c
Id wife"
We "Why are you so bright, Viola
et asked madame, who had entered.
ri "Your brother, madame, has ask
me to be his WIFE"
in "And you told him"
e.n eyes"
N, "My sweet Viola! ] knew
I'm plan would succeed. | have work
ill for months to bring this change
PauPs fortunes, but had been Il
'us far unsuccessful. He declared Il
'rk all women were husband huntt
and that he would never marry {
we of them. | knew in an instant Il
Ike you would please him, and so truu
lst ed up the whole story. You ,
wonder at my anxiety, hut viii ce
tn do on whap I foil ynI, thot I ann