Smyrna times., 1870-05-25
MISceIIUWeO II eOuS.
" I Cannot Afford It."

Mr.. st. Johns entered the fashionable dry
goods store of " Lowering & Brothers," to
see one of the proprietors
" He had stepped out for a moment" one
of the clerks informed him.
| Withdrawing TO an obscure corner he stood
watching, with a half amused, haf-comical
lo"N ~ his handsome face, the streams of gay
ly attlred women that foated past him, gazing
with enviOus and admiring eyes upon the rich
fabrics, OF every hue and texture, that were
suspended from the ceiling and spread out upon
the broad counters.
Many OF them were known to him, but he
was in no mood to meet the sparkling glances
and gay saes that he knew would be shower
ed upon him If he made them aware of his
presence for MIR. St Johns was rich, and
bachelor, and had been so fattered and beseig-
cd by ambitious mammas and marriageable
daughters as to make him almost resolve to
| always remain one.
SO he stood back in the shadow, marking
with curious eye, unconscious betrayals Of the
natural dispositions, little glimpses Of feminine
nature, and which the dear creatures would not
have had him observe for the world
As he stood there, the two Misses Parker
came IN, charming and brilliant girls, in whose
society he had passed many pleasant hour
They were lavish in their purchases. And,
as Mr.. st. Johns cOntrasted their smiling coun-
tenances with the care worn face of their faith
er, whom he met 10 the street scarcely an hour
before, hurrying from one friend to another to
borrow money to pay note on the point of be
ing protested, their lively chatter Jared harsh
| ly on his ears.
Isn't it lOvely?" exclaimed one of the sis
ters, holding up some costly lace trimmings
: suppose pa will ScOld when he sees the bill ::
but so he would, II 1t were only half as large "
| =" 10 be sure he would responded the other
| | m OF -, i
out>hine me, you may be certain It's my be-
llet that they give the party smplyOn account
OF st. Johns return from Europe | suppose
they are trying to catch him for Georgiana.
Did you ever hear of anything so ridiculous?"
Never Such horrid taste as that girl has
in dress, too She showed me the new silk
she is going to wear. Would you believe it ?
1t is blue And she as dark as an Indian ?"
" That Is for the benefit of Mr. St. Johns :
it is his favorite color. | met him in the street
yesterday. How tall and handsome he has
grown ~
" Yes and he is so rich Pa says he is
worth half million if not more"
Here the two girls passed along out of sight
and hearing, quite unconscious of the proxim-
lty Of the subject OF their remarks.
Good heavens was St. Johns inward re
hectl0ns; are all women so heartless, SO
wrapped up in vanity and display?'
lie was about to quit the store in disgust,
when his attention was arrested by low and
gentle voice, which aroused a host of vague
though pleasant recOllectiOns. He turned his
eyes eagerly IN the direction whence it proceed
ed and as they rested upon a slender, neatly
attired lady they lighted up with pleasure.
A woman would have noticed that the bon.
net, though neat and fresh was not of the latest
style, and the mantle of last seasons fashion
but men rarely observe such things All that
.IOhnS caxu fbo II Al e..
and gentle face of the wearer.
!, Sweet Rose Lennox u he thought, she
looks as lovely and fragrant as her name Car
her fresh and gulless nature be so perverted a,
to care Tor nothing but outward show?"
, In the meantime Rose made few simple
: : purchases, quite unconscious of the eyes tha
= = were following her every look and motion
"All to day."
G 9 If you were thinking of getting a dress.
= can show you something that will just sui
y you. y
= " AS l cannot purchase 1 will not trouble
you, was the low and quiet reply.
{" No trouble at ALL miss, " said the clerk
= unroIng tie goods and spreading it out upol
the copHter.
1t was heavy, lustrous silk-brown, will
, CLINT OF gold In It, not unlike the color of the
soft hair that shaded her forehead.
1t caught the eye of the Parker girls. WIN
I, were passing and they gathered eagerly aroun(
/. it.
: It's just the sweetest thing I ever saw =
y exclaimed the Oldest, enthusiastically. "Wb,
y don't you get it Rose? You have nothing foi
the party next Thursday, and it's just what yo,
q want"
Only four dollars yard" suggested tn
d, clerk, gathering up the silk in heavy folds, s
as to display its luster and beauty.
There was not the slightest touch of envy O
= regret in the soft blue eyes that rested admir-
ingly uponit.
" 1t is very pretty, and quite reasonable
: too; but 1 cannot afford Il"
These words were spoken quietly, and witt
entire uncOnciOusness that she was admittin
anything painful or humiliating, that with tn
wonder it aroused in the hearts Of her comprn
ions was mingled an involuntary resp ,ct
though it was conduct that they could not hay
initiated, and but vaguely comprehended.
ST Johns made inquiries in regard to Mr.
Lennox the next day, and learned that he ha
sustained some heavy losses, but was still sup
) posed to be doing good business
= Presuming on his former acquaintance, h
5 resolved to call at his house
'DcsDite the a,lultatiun he had received AM