The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-08-06
A FAMOUS FLlRT.
BY ANNIE THOMAS.
CONCLUDED


Iation to me and gone out than to have
seen her this morning, as / did pres
emily, sitting making amusing CONVEX
sation for two blunder-headed coun-
try squires and one creature who was
speechless whenever he could not
make reference to his regiment as
Ours. My sister laughed merrily and
maliciously as she glanced at me when
we went into the room; and Melanie
rose up and merely gave me a slight
cool bow. Had she forgotten how
friendly she had been with me the
night before? asked myself savagely;
or was she feigniDg this Indifference
merely to try me?
The two obtuse country squires had
no sense Of the fitness of things, evil
IDENTIFY, for they stayed on pertina-
eiously, although their presence made
my visit most commonplace affair.
The officer had the good taste to with
draw, but his parting words were an
arrow in my heart. /t.A
Then | may come and see about
those roses to morrow, Miss Her
riot?"
Il shall expect you-let me see-at
tWelve-yes, that will be the best
time" she answered eayly; aud then
she shook hands with him, smiled up
on him, and he departed, leaving me
rather low.
captain Northcot is a better gar
dener than soldier" one of the squires
observed. They, too. / perceived,
were burning with jealousy, which she
seemed neither to care to appease nor
yet to aggravate.
He mas done one or two gallant
things in action, believe" she said,
carelessly. He can afford to seem
affected and efEemlnste now, in time
of peace. 1t isn't always the great,
rough men who are the most courage
Gus, is it. Mr.. Armitsge?"
Certainly not, said, eagerly, de-
lighted that she was beginning to rec
ognize my existence at last.
What is he going to do among the
roses to morrow, Melanie?" my sister
asked.
Bud them"
Il have some rare varieties, one Of
her visitors said, eagerly; will you let
me bring you soma. Miss Herriot?"
"Yes-but [ won't bore you about
them now" she said, suddenly. i
know you don't care for flowers the
least bit In the world, so l shall leave
you here to amuse Lady Valiant while
/ take Mr.. Armitage to see my ro-
sery."
I was in the seventh heaven again
in a moment. She seemed amused at
the qualification | could not subdue.
As soon as we got out of the room,
she looked up at me aud said:
why did you look so depressed
when you came in 6rst?"
Because" [ hesitated, and she
shook her little fist at me and said:
The truth, and nothing but the
Truth; remember l always forgive
that"
II was disappointed at not finding
you alone" | blurted out; that is the
truth-forgive me-"
Il sagacio asly thought that that
was the reason; but even if had been
alone, you were not why did you
bring lady Vsllant-were you afraid
of me?"
Afraid of your
Yes, yes-were you afraid that l
should begin to seek to bother and be
guile you a once?"
Believe me, Miss Herriot, was
not vain enough to think that you
would condescend so far" l said,
warmly.
But shall 'condescend' quite as
far, If not farther" she said, careless
". II want you to like mel mean
for you to like me; you will be living
In the parish, and | couldn't bear you
to be anything but friend; here not
my roses-you are to look at them,
at me, please"
She was better worth looking at
than any rose on that bright June
day. | cannot call to mind any of the
details of her dress, but have q gen
eral impression that 1t was floating
ample, diapanous. She had no hat on
but she shaded her face with small
sun-shade, which presently. as We
stood among the roses, she asked me
to hold.
you have not been long in orders
have your" she asked.
About a year"
And did you take orders as soon
as you were old enOugh?"
mo, | travelled on tie continentfol
two years after | left college"
Add how old were you when yoJ
left College,
Twenty two
Then you will be twenty-six your
next birthday, and | shall be twenty
three; [ am glad you are my senior; i
you were younger, most likely yoI
would waste your time by falling II
love with me; now you will be more
sensible"
She was free as a child from confu
sion as she said this, but felt the col
or mount to my brow. For few sec
onds l thought that l would WOO he
without more delay | could not low
her better than / did il knew her TO
year, or century. Why should
hesitate to avow that love? However
prudence prevailed, and L did hesitate
When | spoke it was to say:
Age is no safeguard, Miss Her
No? Isn't it? Well. at any rate
am glad you are not younger, be
cause boys love is so tedious. L vii
give you the sweetest rose In my col
lection. Oil what do you thiuk 0
my old homer"
L think it altogether charming"
so do $50 have many men VIII
have wanted to-"
She paused, and [ asked:
WHAT"
Il can't tell you here's a white ros
to put with that crimson one. Rose
red aud roses white on a summer day
do you know that song?"
Il do not.
Then I'll sing it to you. | have
to guitar accompaniment; no, l won
sirg 1t to you to day, before the other
but if you'll come to morrow you sha
hear il"
Need it be told how eagerly prom
ised to come? Need it be told how
went, not only tomorrow, but man
to morrows, and how she grew kindt