Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-18
#istellanfoMs.
THE WAY TO LOSE HIM.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

The autumn sunset blazed about the
Beechwood hills, and tinged the rustling
oak-boughs with a rudier glow as Philip
Lisie rode down the long avenue that led
from his stately old countly-seat, out to
the village high-road.
Standing on the pillared portico, his
mother, fair, gentle-faced woman, robed
IN widows weeds, looked after him with
an expression Of axious solicitude.
Are you sure, my dear boy, quite sure
that you have chosen wisely ?n she had
said to him as they parted.
why, mother, do you ask ?n had beer
his reply. Rose is all you could desire
her to be. She is refined, accomplished
and very beautiful.
81 hope my boy you will not be disap
pointed murmured the mother, as he
rode off. .'Yet people, who ought tc
know, say that Rose is both a flrt and pas.
sionate. All, me!
Meanwhile, Philip, cantered quietly
away. But, after awhile, he dropped the
reins on his horses neck, and took dainty
casket from his vest pocket 1t contained
an exqisite ring. rich richly set with
pearls and amethyst. 1t was his engage
rnent ring; and as he turned it over and
over in his fingers, and held it up in the
| autumn sunset, his handsome eyes grew
tender and humid, and his bearded lip
trembled like woman's.
Philip Lisle's love-story was verv brief
He was one of those men who are not
easily captivated, and so he had remained
heart-whole until the preceding spring.
About the first of May, he attended an
Agricultural Fair in an adjoining county,
and it closed up with a tournament. There
were hundreds of daring young knights,
ready to risk life and limb for the honor of
crowning the queen of love and beauty !;
but Philip Lisle outstripped them all, and
won the prize. This prize was an exquis-
ite'tiara of pearls, and Miss Rose Denham,
the prettiest girl in Talbot, was the queen
Philip went Through the interesting cere-
mony of crowning her with the starry
| chaplet he had won-and in doing so he
| lost his heart.
Rose Denham was the first woman he
had ever loved-and he loved her very
bl'ndly, bewildered and bewitched as he
was by the rare and exquisite beauty of
her primrose face, and in less than month
| after their first meeting, they were afiian-
ced lovers
The red fires of sunset had faded, and
the stars were out in thousands in the
misty-autumn skies, when Philip reached
the little suburban cottage in which the
Denhams lived, There were lights in the
windows, and the sound of piano, ac-
companiedby sweet, girlish voice, reach
ed his ears. Rose was singing, he said,
with fond smile; and fastening his horse
he passed through the graveled walk that
led to the door. There he paused an in
slant. listening to the trilling voice with
| all lovers ardent admiration, and fancy
ing childishly to himself, how pleased and
startled Rose would be if she knew he was
there; and then and there silly whim
possessed him to give her little surprise.
Accordingly, he stole round to the draw
ing-room window. 1t was open, for the
autumn night was balmy, and he had
full view OF the apartment. Rose was at
the piano, in her becoming evening-dress
OF sky-blue, with her hair falling in gold
en- showers over her white shoulders. But
she was not alone. Hanging over her,
and toying with her ringlets, as he turned
the music. was young man of exceed
ingly foppish appearance; and Rose did
not seem in the least annoyed by his ex-
cessive familiarity, for while she sung, she
would toss her beautiful head, and glance
up into his admiring face with an air of
WlcnnS coquetry.
Philip Lisle, with this picture before his
eyes, stood for a moment like one be-
wildered, then suddenly recollecting him.
self, he retraced his steps, and rang the
bell at the front entrance, in a very grave
and formal manner.
Rose received him with a shy, sweet
surprise that was irresistible; and the
charm OF her rare beauty and her girlish
vivacity, soon banished his jealous doubts
and he was as much enraptured as ever.
The foppish individual having vanished,
Philip had his charmer all to himself, and
they wandered out into the autumn moon
light, and under the shadow of the elm
trees. And Philip took the pearl and anne
thyst engagement-ring from the little cas-
ket, and put it upon her finger, entreat-
ing, as he did so that the engagement
should be very brief. Beautiful Rose lis
tened, and examined the sparkling circlet
with a critical eye
every WE'LL" she replied, after mo-
ment, her voice cool and silvery II have
no objection to make. 1t will not require
great while to complete my arrange
ments, and mamma disapproves of long
engagements.
$50 do H." exclaimed Philip heartily.
you will make it month. darling, no
longer; want you at home before the
Christmas holidays"
Rose shrugged her white shoulders, and
gave little shivering sigh.
''How do wish," she said, that you
would live in the city, Philip, for the
winter, at least. 1t must be dreadfully
stupid at Beechwood"
why, no DEAR" cried the young man,
in amazement. Stupid at Beechwood
Not bit OF it. We are within nice
drive of the city, you know, and we have
every comfort and amusement at home !"
Rose looked dissatisfied still, but she
said no more on the subject, resolving to
wait for better opportunity.
"The girls are coming to see my en-
gagement ring" she continued after a mo-
mentary pause, twirling the little circlet
over in the moonlight. ~ told them it
would be something magnifcent-an and it
is; but do wish YOU had chosen a dia-