National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-01-28

by MARY REED GROwELL.

Julie .SomerS.'
Handsome Vane Claremont look
ed just a trihe graver than usual, as
he spoke.
.What nonsense, ,fellown and Bur.
ton Edgely daintily tipped off the
slender column of ashes from his
cigar. Sheer insanity, Vane Clare
mont! Just look at the case now,
and see if / am not correct. Will
you listen if | present it fairly,
squarely, from disinterested point
of viewT
Burton Edgely drew his chair
nearer to Vane, and scanned his face
eagerly.
Being lawyer, Butt, of course
you will not fail of showing up the
best side. Go on A proud, yet
bitter smile played momentarily
over Vane Claremont's lips, and
slightly perceptible quiver of cons
tempt curled his mouth.
We'll, then here is julie Somers,
than who no fairer, prettier. sweeter
girl ever lived. The belle Of the
season, the beauty of the city,
the heiresS of the times; all this to
attract, and you, you yagabond, treat
.as he" as coldly as though she wcle
an ogress. It's shameful, Ii you
had half an eye, you'd have seen
three months ago, how her lips quiv-
cred, and her cheek paled, as YOU
returned her salutations as indiiier.
emily as though she were an En-
press Of France, and you-well, a
rascal
And enthusiastic Burt Edgely
tossed his cigar over the balcony
with a spitefui emphasis.
All this while Nane Claremont
sat watching him, the same restless
shadow on his noble face, the same
peculiar, scorntul smile on his mus.
tached lips.
Burt he said, after a pause, my
boy, you are pretty severe on me,
but YOU don't know all-no,you don't
dream it, eyen,'
Edgely opened his eyes in amaze
ment, for Nane's face had suddenly
become full OF animated oarnestneSs.
Tel me, then, old fellow Tell me
al this about Julie Somers, that !
don't know
Nanc drew his chair near TO Bur.
toms.
Burt, you've seen my coolness
toward Julie Somers, hut you've
never seen the fires raging in here,
and he laid his hand on his breast
you ccnSure me for not yielding my
dutiful regards to ourqueen of beau
ty, when my whole being is ever
bowing in the dust before her. Burt,
Burt. YOU never can know how dear
Julie Somers is to me! how truly |
love hern
Nane Clarcmont's eyes verified
the truthfullneSS of his words; and,
as Edgcly met that glance, at once
so proudly conscious of his love for
his idol, aud SO tcnderly passionate
rs he thought of the all.abs0rbing
emotion, Burton grasped his hand
in an impulse Of delight.
Good for you, old boy! You do
credit to Yourself, though how the
deuce you have kept this a secret, |
can't comprehcnd.'
A red flush mounted Nanc Glare
mont's temples.
Burt, she's rich, and I'll never be
called fortune huntorn
For moment after his confession,
| Nanc looked at Edgely and Edgelv
at Nanc.
.Ridiculous. such an idea | never
heard. Why,man alive, you've got
as much money as she has
But to be called a tortune.hunteI
no, Burton Edgley, I'll cast aside
the sweetest dream of love | ever
knew before my name shall be by
word
And break Julie Somer's heart
by your foolish pride, you wicked
man
In Ler morning .boudoir, a tiny
octagonal room hung with iiuted
amber silk over whose rich folds the
sunlight Streamed III golden rclul
gcncc, Julie Somers sat, alraycd in
a soft, snowy mcrino morning robe
bordcred and faced with pale pinl,
satin, and buttoned with simmer
ing opals, while wide pink satin
sash, heavily fringed, was knotted
half way dovu her long trailing
skirt.
'Wcll,' said Mrs. Somcrs. If you
are so determined ON having your
own way, of course | will not pre-
tend to bias you. Still, do say, ,you
had much better reconsider it, and
go with u.s.
Julie shook her pretty head with
defiant air.
There's no use mamma, not the
q least. have fully decided and papa
k has consented that | should 90 &c
Aunt Mary's, and not of to New
port and Niagara, Saratoga and C.pC
May ,and everywhere you and MadgC
are going.'
Very well, them and Mrs. Som
crs arose with u resigned air. 'Yo,