Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-07-06
1T Cannot Afford It. ~

Mr.. st. John entered the fashion
able dry-goods store Of Lowering d
Brothers to see one OF the propre-
tors. q
He has stepped out for a mo-
'ment. one OF the clerks informed
him. /,
And Withdrawing to an obscure
corner, he stood watching, with a
hal f-amused, half-comical look upon
his handsome face, the streams OF
gaily attifed women that floated past
him, gazing with envious' and admi-
ring eyes upon the rich fabrics, of
every hue and texture, that were sus-
pended from the ceiling and spread
out on the broad counters.
Many oil them were known to him
but he was in no mood to meet the
sparkling glances and gay sallies that
he knew would be showered upon
him if he made them aware Of his
presence; for Mr.. st. John was rich
and a bachelor, and had been 50 fiat
tered and besieged by ambitious
mammas with marriagcable daugh-
ters as to make lin almost resolve to
always yenain one.
T. So he stood back iii the shadow,
marking with curious eye unconscious
betrayals of the natural dispositions,
like glimpses of feminine human 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 bril-.
liant girls; in whose society he had
passed many pleasant hour.
They were lavish in their purcha-
ses. And Mr.. st. John contrasted
their smiling faces with the care-worn
face of their father, whom he met in
the street scarcely an. hour before
hurrying from one friend to another
to borrow money to pay note on
the point of being protested theil
lively chatter Jared harshly on his
ears.
"Isn't it lovely!" exclaimed one o.
the sisters, holding UP some costly
lace trimmings, Il suppose pa will
scold when he sees the bill but SC
he wouldif it were only half as
large" ,...,,,., ...,,,,.a :;
the other. "And I'm not going tt
let the Dayton girls outshine me, yor
may be certain. It's my belief that they
give the party simply on account o
St. Johns return from Europe.
suppose they are trying to catch hin
for Georgianna Did you ever hea
anything SO ridiculous?'
"Ncverl Sach hornd taste a
the girl has in dress, too She show
ed me the new silk she is going t
wear. Would you believe it? 1t i
blue And she is dark as an In
dian
"That is for the benefit of Mr.. ST
John; it is his favorite color. I me
him on the street yesterday: Hoy
tall and handsome he has grown !"
Yes, and he is so rich Pa say
he is worth half q million, if no
| more.
Here the two girls passed along ou
of sight and hearing, quite uncon
scious of their proximity to the sui
iect of their.remarks.
"Good heavens was Mr.. St. John
inward reflection ARE all women S
heartless, SO wrapped In vanity an
display"
He was about to quit the store j
disgust when his attention was arrest
| ed BY low and gentle voice, whic
aroused a host Of vague but pleasar
recollections. He turned eagerly j
the direction whence 1t proceeded
and as his eyes rested upon slende'
neatly attired lady, they lighted u
with pleasure.
A woman would have noticed thu
, the bonnet, though neat and fresl
was not of the latest style, and tn
mantle of last seasons fashion; br
men rarely observe such things. a 4
that St. John saw was the gracei,'
form, the fair and gentle face of tn
wearer.
"Sweet Rose Lennox he though
/ "she looks as lovely and fragrant {
her namel Can her fresh and gull
less nature be SO perverted as to Cal
for nothing but outward show Z
! In the meantime Rose made a fe
simple purchases, quite unconsclol
Of the eyes that were following h