The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1870-09-02
8tisEElIamg.
MI OPPOSITE NElGHBOR.

overlooked its garden, and that is tn
main point in my story. say "gar
den advisedly; for, unlike mos
London Houses, the house OPPOSITE
had large piece of ground behind il
part of which was shut off by a trel
lis-WOrk, and was full of floWer-beds
and my first knowledge that tht
house was occupied at last, was thu
sight of young lady, very vision o
beauty, who appeared one morning il
charming, yet simple costume, rakt
in hand, to attend to these very beds
l had always been passiOnately fOnC
of flowers. watched her, accord
ingly, with deep interest as, day By
day, she directed neighbOring hOris
where to set out new plants. After
wards, she herself attended to thC
garden, watering the flowers nigh
and morning, hOeing the earth WheI
necessary, and carefully shipping of
the dead wood. She would have beer
beautiful in any dress, but in this beau,
tiful garden-costume she looked di.
vine. Graceful and tall, Womanly in
all her movements, had never seer
her equal. At the end of week,
thought of nothing but my opposite
neighbOr. At the end of a fortnight
l was hOpelessly i'll love.
Sometimes, the notes of a piano
were heard from within the opposite
house; and then q voice rang out
SO elastic, so sympathetic, so thorough.
ly cultivated, that l was raVished.
Now the songs were gay; now they
were sad but always the voice was
superb, the execution perfect. Sew
| eral times an elderly gentleman came
out into the garden: her farther no
doubt.
had often passed the house, but
no name was on the door; so | did
not 3 yet even know nv oDpO.
site neighDOr. l did not like to make
inquiries. But, at last, Mrs. Day, my
landlady, said, one day, incidentally,
that the name of the people who had
taken the opposite house was Milford,
and that the young lady was the wife
of the elderly gentleman.
YOu could have Knocked me down
with feather when / heard this in.
telligence. But [ rallied after a while,
and asked, boldly. if Mrs. Day was
certain.
"There is such a disparity in their
ages" l said; sit seems impossible.
But she answered very positively, as
landladies do, that she had it from
the best authority"
My dream was broken. Once or
i, , twice afterward, l saw my opposite
neighbOr at her gardening, but 1 al
ways left my window when she came
out; and in fortnight went to Scot
land, more to cure myself of this
hopeless fancy than because had any
thing to do in the North. When l
came back in the autumn tue opposite
house was closed and my neighbors
gone.
That very afternoon, walking down
Regent street, l met an old college
friend, Tom Birdsell.
Why, bless me-" he cried, "we
havn't met for years. Pm just going
to Varrey's to dine. Join me, and
we'll talk of old times, unless you're
married, and must go home to dinner.
Not married, eh?" he added, gaily.
g Lucky fellow! I'm not exactly mar
ried but Pm engaged, and want to
make the most of my liberty. So
come along"
We went accordingly.
"Alice is charming GIRL" he said,
getting confidential as the dinner pro.
gressed. Pm going there this even
ing, and, by the way, why won't you
come, too, and give me your opinion
of her? Let's Of money, l can tell
you. It's rather a romantic story
my engagement to her, l mean. Her
father was an old friend of my fathers
just as you and l are but they hadn't
met for years. In fact, AIice's papa
had lived at Liverpool, and only came
to London last spring, when he hired
a house for six months, till he could
look around and buy one for himself
The two old fellows ran against each
other accidentally in the street, were
| frightfully glad, insisted on Alice and
l meeting, and tinallyplanned a match
between us. Ny Charmer was a little
distant, at first; but she's coming
around now: and though the wedding
day isn't fixed, the marriage is ia
come of; the old folks say, some time
this spring.
"And do you love herr"
"Oh, enough for all practical purpo.
ses. She's lady-like and cultivated
and pretty, and all that, and has lots
of money. 1t would be a pity tC
disappOimt the old people, eh ?"
But you haVH't told me her name ?
Alice Milford. But bless me, old
! fellow, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, or only a sudden cramp.
" forgot to show you her picture,
he said. Here it is-a very good one
too, though [ must say it flatters hel
slightly"
knew before [ took the photo
graph in my hand that it was my Op
posite neighbCrs. And / had though
her married-Oh, how blind turned
| aside, as if to throw the light mort
directly Oh the picture; no one mus
see me while looked upon her. How
1 | had loved her [ never knew till now
1t was she looking upon me will
calm, soft eyes-eyes that might have
been my heaven!
"WelI, it's eight o'clock, and aIl
tC be there 10 take coffee at nine. -
we had better be going. No excuses
Come along" lie said, as l drew back
| allowed myself to be led away.
We reached the place, an elegan
mansion in the Regents Park, ant
were usherCd into the drawing room
"I'In very glad to meet you" Nj
Milford. on my being introduced {,
him. . like YOUR face, sir; and, b.
the way, it looks familiar. Still,
never heard your rame before,
think"
Alice soon made her appearance
Stately and star like she glided in
greeting her betFothed with careles
grace, that seemed more like friend
ship than love. | was introduced
AS she gave me her hand a CTimsO
flush shot over her face.
al thought you were alone" sh
! said, turning to Tom /; " but your frien
is very welcome"