The Republican journal., 1870-09-29

The child was evidently confused and
frightened. | was about to explain myself
more fully when Dick appeared upon the
scene, carrying upon his arm 4 shawl be-
| longing TO some one of the party, and asked
what was the matter
THAT beautiful little pink flower, there on
| the dome,n she ;nswcrcd-S'li could only
| reach it,"
..You shall have it," he replied; and then,
ltossin~ one end of the shawl to me with the
request that would hold on to it, he seized
| the other end, and was over the railing and
Sliding down the slippery surface Of the dome
before we'll knew what was his intention.
| The flower was growing on a little pro-
lection not more than twelve feet below us.
| Dick, however, had placed himself in hor-
| rbly dangerous position; for, although he
could remain for Il time resting with one foot
| on this projection it was impossible for him
| to regain the gallery without the aid of the
shawl to which he was clinging. He paid
not a particle of attention to my peremptory
demand that he should come back at once,
but, quietly Selling the flower and putting it
Temporarily in his bosom, he looked up to
lSnsie, who was watching him, silent with
excess of terror, and said You know what
| asked YOU Just now. viii you promise ?''
| She only replied Come back, Mr. Far
reI, do please you brighten me to death -
Susie" returned the scoundrel, with ut
most solemnity, "unless you give me your
promise this moment, | will let 90 the shawl,
for don't care a straw for my life"
Come back directly, sir" | shouted, cor
| I'll let 90 the shawl myself Don't you see
how YOU alarm Miss Scott with Your con-
founded nonsense"
The villain never needed my existence
| =, Ia,
| swear III let go"
YES, yes, Dick, | promise,'' she cried
Dear Dick, do come back. | will marry
you"
This, then, was the result Of my months of
devotion TO that shameless girl. This was
what came Of my condescension toward a
miserable unprincipled painter. Before my
very eyes, in my very hearing, he gained a
promise of marriage from the lady whom
had intended to marry myself
Before could fully realize his villainy, he
climbed back again and had Susie in his
arms. | blush for human nature when l
mention the fact that he actually kissed her
in my presence.
without speaking. Before | had gone many
forgive me if | have given You any pain.
Mamma wouldn't let me see Dick unless you
were by, and 50 | had to be civil to you.
Besides, do like you ever 50 much, and if
YOU would only marry mamma, it would be
| SO nice
II really think you'd better" chmed in
Dick. "Ihere's "a clergyman here, you
know, and it could be done at once"
There! | have told the whole story, and
the facts have been seated precisely as they
occurred. 1t world only remain for me to
ask the question, Would | not have been
perfectly justified in Letting go the shawl,
and thu putting u sudden and etfectual end
10 my treacherous rivals suit. To be sure
| he had on a former occasion saved my life
doubtless for purposes OF his own, and
certainly without waiting for me to request
that favor from him. But did that excuse
his subsequent conduct? just look at it in
all its hideousness. While l held his life in
my hanaa-for nothing could have saved him
had let 90 the slawl-he dared to ask my
intended wife to marry him, and, what is
worse, actually gained her consent. Could
any one have blamed me had let go my
hold? Ought not to have done it?
The more think of it, the more am con-
WINGED that justice to myself, pity for the I'M
fortunate girl whom Dick cruelty made a
sharrr i'll his poverty, as we'll As Il due sense
of the guilt of his outrageous conduct, de
manded that | should have dropped the
shawl. And | don't hesitate to say that
am ronloundealy sorry that did not do it