The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-08-31

ana MISS PoytOn often came over TO Mr
Soame's the latter frequently stayed with
Lady Geraldine while the Colonel and
old Mr.. Soame walked off somewhat to
gether, and then Charley and I would at
tend to Gertrude, sing duets with her,
and so on. assure you. on my honor, /
never saw that my friend cared for Ger
trude Peyton; there was nothing in his
outward demeanor to indicate it; and as
for her, really believe to this day that
she loved me then, and loves me now
for she is still living, as you will hear
again presently. Vain though it may
seem in me to say SO, do say it elnphat
ically, and say also that Charles Soame's
blood was on his own head!
Well, / had frequent opportunities of
meeting Miss Peyton alone, and as /
knew my month would quickly pass over,
I endeavored to see as much of her as
possible. She was indeed q beautiful
creature, unusually so, and her accom-
plishments were both numerous and
elegant. Few men Of intellect could have
resisted such charms as hers; she was
thoroughly Well-read, and she did what
SO few women are able to do--she
thought for herself and well too. She
always seemed to take pleasure in my
society, and appeared to launch out more
into intellectual subjects when we were
alone than when in society. | became
more desperate in love than ever; and
one day when was walking with her
alone toward her own house-Lady Ger
aldine having requested me to escort her
home, as Charley and her father were.out
Somewhere together, as I am told-I de
clared my love to her in straightfor-
ward, manly way. tatla
Il have been expecting this, Mr., Molly.
neux," said Miss Peyton, land sincerely
thank you for the good opinion youhave of
me, and the honor you confer upon me.
Allow me to say Sto you what 1 should
say to very few of your sex, very few in
deed: That any woman might be proud
Of winning your regard, much more your
love; but my heart is already anothers,
ana that being the case, we can never be
anything more than friends. Good
friends, I hope, we shall ever be, Mr.
Molyneux;" and she held out her hand
to me- stA8 ~
"Miss Peyton," said /, thunder. struck,
"you surprise me! Thank you for your
kind speech; but why have you led me
to suppose that you cared for me when,
as you say your affections were engaged!
Do you suppose me to be stock or stone
THAT you should thus play with me and
make me Wretched for life? You have
made nae love you. and now you tell me
you are engaged" - Ha*
Il suppose you to be nothing but a
most estimable man, Mr.. Molyneux," said
she, land have said as much already
You VIII surely remember that I have
not encouraged your advances otherwise
than as one friend encourages the friend
ly greetings Of another. So, pray, b(
| just, and do not wrong me by attributine
to me acts of which, believe me, I an
quite innocent"
Gar be it from ne to wrong you, Miss
Peyton," replied [, recovering my equan
unity; probably it was my own vanity
which made me think saw in your de
meanor q reciprocation of my own feel
ings toward you l will endeavor to for
get that l ever loved you; but before
we change the subject, let me express
hope that the love of him who has beer
fortunate enough to win yours may be al
sincere as that which has just been offered
to you"
Il do not doubt it," said Miss lPeyton
somewhat haughtily, "and probably / am
as good a judge Of such matters as your.
selflMr. Molyneux"
[ saw was on dangerous ground, but
felt desperate at the idea Of being re-
jected by SO charming creature; SC
said I, "Will you promise to pardon me
if [ make one more observation IF il
seems an improper one, you will forgive
me, and attribute it to the perturbeG
state of my mind at present Is it really
q fact that you are engaged to another
or did iyou say SO merely from kind
wish to soften the effect of what your
generous heart told you would be fear
full blow?"
81 assure you, Mr.. Molyneux, that
have told you nothing but The truth, and
under any circumstances but the present
should resent any doubt cast upon my
veracity."
~ did not presume to doubt your word
Miss Peyton, but / have never seen or
heard of any other gentleman paying you
attention, nor has my friend Charles
Soame so presume the matter must be
of clandestine character I may say
also that Lady Geraldine has remarked
that you seemed to favor my advances
"Really," said she, "you are going toe
far, Mr.. Molyneux am not bound tc
tell Mr.. Charles Soame everything 1 do
nor is Lady Geraldine necessarily right
in her surmises concerning my deport
ment toward you or any one else"
"Certainly not, said /; Shut it seems
incredible thar lady could evince Sc
much pleasure in being with person al
you have in being in my company, with
out either caring for that person, or else
being very-yery-ah- possessing grea
indecision of character" 9at