The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1870-11-17

on, ~ nave seen you, IhouSu you uo
not remember me. The house you oc-
cupied last spring was opposite my
holdings. I remember your face well,
and your songs cheered many lonely
evening tor me-"
81 have seen you at your window
she replied, half shyly, in a soft, low
voice, that made the blood quicken in
my pulses, though why l could hardly
tell.
"sing something more, pl asc,' l
said directly.
She chose a simple ballad, a sad
one, and her voice seemed like the wall
OF broken heart. When she had fin
ishcd she suddenly rose and said, "Arc
you fond of flowers? We have some
very fine ones in bloom now. Tom,'
she added, won't you come into the
Conservatory"
Tom rose, giving her his arm as he
did so. Mr., Milford and followed.
"Alice, dear said Tom, with an un
called for show of affection, "give me n
flower. A rose, say; l like roses
best"
Alice broke some rose-sprays hasti-
| ly, and presented them to him.
"You will not forget my friend ?"
he said. patronizingly.
She paused by a camelia, which was
crowned with rich, white blossoms, and
plucking one just opened, she timidIy
placed it in my hand.
! understood her. She saw my love
for her and ptied me, l could not
look up when | thanked her Oh !could
she but know what | knew-that the
love would give all the world pos
sessed to win was held SO cheap by
Tom.
II am almost afraid | have offended
Papa Miford,' said Tom after we left
"The old idiot has gone to ,dabbling in
shares. and it's plain to see he isn't up
to it, 1t won't take very long for him
to lose all he has. But I'll say no
more on the subject. Are you going
there again on Tuesday night =
"They asked me, but have not yet
decided"
go by all MEANS he answered
carelcssly. "They seemed to like YOU ;
and old Milford doesn't take to every
one
Tuesday evening found me at Mr.
Millord's. l had determined not to
go; but could not stay away. 1t was
not party merely a friendly gather
ing with music, dancing, and cheerful
talk. 1t was exquisite pleasure to be
near Alice, although l knew that she
was lost to me, and that | must crush
out the love | felt for her.
"Come and see US often,' said Mr..
Milford, as l was leaving; come at any
and all times"
But | hcsitated. l had noticed tha,
Alice had stunned me all the evening
nor did she now join in this invl
tation. | stammered something and
left, resolving never to enter the house
again. Tom was my friend at least
l owed my introduction to him; and
would never be traitor to him, even il
| could. Never to see Alice again was
the honorable course.
Three days after l met Tom in the
street
"Well, old Milford has done it al
last" he said, stopping me. "Lost ev'
cry shilling just as l knew he would
That sudden panid'yesterlay did it,
"And Alicc?' l cried, breathlessly
"Oh, Alice has just written me q
note, asking to be released from the
engagement on account of her father 5
failure. Which l did, of course" ht
continued, with a laugh,
"The hearless scoundrel" ! NUT
tered between my teeth, as ] turned on
my heel and abruptly left him.
An hour afterwards | was at Mr.
Millord's. The old gentleman claspet
my hand eagerly.
MY dear hoy do you know
he began.
II know ALL" / cried, interruptine
him; "and / came to see if l coult
help you"
"No, l have something left; and
even if l had not, am not so very Gle
but could work for Alice"
"ADd Alice-Mss Milford-hov
does she bear it y / stammered.
! Like heroine. But she has hat
more than this to bear-"
I 81 know it. The villain! May l.
/ wonder would it be asking too
much,"I stammered out desperately
"if 1 might see her"
"Of course, my dear boy" he said
but with some surprise. "She is in thu
conservatory"
flew to her side. She was sitting
listlessly dipping the fingers of ON