The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1870-09-02


though she might admire him for 6
time, such q woman IS Alice Milford
could never be happy as his wife.
"Hal, you are so fond Of music, you
must hear Miss Alice sing" Tom said
directly.
| He led her to the piano, and mo-
tiOning me to a seat near her, returned
to resume his conversation with Mr..
Milford.
"Sing whatever you like best,
please" I said, as she turned to ask
me as to my favorite. My sister
used to sing to me before she was
married /; but Of late know but little
of home, or home songs"
Softly she swept her white fingers
over the KEYS, and then broke into a
song full of feeling.
a have heard you sing it before,
I Miss Milford" said, quite forgetting
myself, when she stopped.
! "Ah!" she said; and her face again
flushed crimson.
"This is not the first time,2 1 wen
on, az have seen you, Alg you
not remember me. The house you
occupied last spring was opposite my
lodgings. l remember your face we'll,
and your songs cheered many a lonely
evening for me-"
al 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 could hardly
tell.
&Sing something more, please" l
said directly.
She chose a simple ballad, sad one,
and her voice seemed like the wall of
a broken heart. When she had fin
| ished, she suddenly rose and said,
" Are 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
uncalled for show of affection, "give
me flower. A rose, say: l like rO-
ses 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 camellia, which was
crowned with rich, white blossoms,
and, and Plucking one just opened, she
timidly placed it in my hand.
understood her. She saw my love
for her and pitied me. l could not
| look up when l thanked he's. OIL
could She but know what knew
that the love l would give all the
world l possessed to win was held so
cheap by Tom.
81 am almost afraid have offended
Papa Milford" said Tom after we
left. "The old idiot has gone to dab
bling in shares, ami its plain to see he
| isn't up to it. It won't take very long
for him TO lose all he has. But I'll say
no more OH the subject. Are you GO
ing there again OF Tuesday night?"
"They asked me, but have not yet
decided"
"Go by all MEANS" he answered
| carelessly. They seemed to like
you; and old Milford doesn't take to
every One."
Tuesday evening found me at Mr..
! MilfOrd's. l had determined not to
go; but l could not stay away. 1t
was not a party-merely q friendly
gathering, with music, dancing, and
cheerful talk. It was exquisite pleas
ure be near Alice, although knew
that She was lost to me, and that l
"COme and see us Often," said Mr.
Milford, as was leaving "cOme at
any and all times"
But hesitated. had noticed that
Alice had summed me all the evening,
nor did she now join in this Invita-
| ton. / stammered something, and
left, resolving never to enter the house
again. Tom WAS my friend; at least,
r vo1 SU,f n
would never be a traitor to him,
again was the honorable course.
Three days after l met Tom III the
street.
"Well, old Milford has done it at
last?" he said, stopping me. Lost
every shilling just as knew he would
That sudden panic yesterday did il"
And Alice 2" l cried Sreathlessly.
"Oh, Alice has just written me
note, asking to be released from the
engagement on account of her fathers
failure. Which did, of course" he
continued, with laugh.
! "The heartless sCOundrei? ?" NUT
tered between my teeth, as l turned
on my heel and abruptly left him.
! An hour afterwards, l was at Mr..
MilfOrd's. The old gentleman clasped
my hand eagerly.
My dear boy, do you know"
he began.
al know ALL cried, interrupting
him and ] came to see if could help
you.
"NO, / have something left; and
even if l had not, am not SO very
old but l could work for Alice"
{" And Alice-Miss Milford--hOw
does she bear it? I stammered.
Like heroine But she has had
more than thiS to bear"
"I know It. The william! May /
i wonder would it be asking too
much," l stammered out desperately,
4" if l might see heF?"
"Of course, my dear boy" he said,
but with some surprise. L" She is in
the conservatory"
flew to her side. She was sitting
listlessly dipping the fingers of one
band in the water of the fountain,
while she leaned her head pensively OH
the other. At the sound of footsteps
she looked up, and rose i'll confusion
crimsOning all over face and neck.
% Alice, darling" / cried excitedly
you are free now, and can speak.
do not dare to hope. But love you
Oh, give me but a chance to show
that /, at least, am honest and true p
Ever since l used to see you garden.
I. ing-ever since heard you sing last
spring, / have loved yOu.-'
She had sunk, breatlIless, into heI
seat again. Her bosom was heavine
conVulsiveIy. Her face one mOmenl
was pale and then dyed with bushes
All at once a great hope leaPed in mS
heart, and / stopped in my passionate
and almost incOherent address.
Can it be?" l said, seizing he1
hand and speaking in Il whisper. Oh
Alice, do not play with me. Is i