The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1871-09-27
Il CANNOT AFFORD IT"

"Ie has stepped out for mo-
ment," one Of tie clerks informed
him.
u And Withdrawing to an obscure
corner, he stoo1 watching, with a
halfamused, half-comical look up
on his handsome face, the streams
Of gaiIy attired women that hoated
past him, gazing with envious and
admiring eyes upon the rich IA
brics, Of every hue and texture,
that were suspended from the cell
ing and spread out on the broad
counters.
Many Of them were known to
him bat he was in no mood to
meet the sparkling glances and
gay sallies that ne knew would be
'showered upon him if he made
them aware Of his presence; for
Mr.. St. John was rich and a bach
elor, and had been 50 fattered and
besieged by ambitious mammas
with marriageablc daughters as 10
make him almost resolve TO always
remain one.
Sc he stood back in the shadow,
marking with curious eye, uncon-
scious betrayals Of the natural dis
positions, 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
brilliant girls, in whose society he
had passed many pleasant hour.
They were lavish in their pur-
chases. And Mr.. St. John con-
trasted their smiling faces with
the care.worn face Of their father,
whom he met in the street scarce
ly an hour before, hurrying from
one friend to another to borrow
money to pay note on the point
of being protested; their lively
chatter Jared harshly on his ears.
'Isn't it lovely!' exclaimed one
Of the sisters, holding up some
costly lace trimmings. II suppose
pa will sc1,d when he sees the bill;
but so he would if it were only
half as large"
ITO be sure be would" respond
cd the other. "And I'm not going
to let the Dayton girls outshine
me, YOU may be certain. It's my
belief that they give the party
simply on account Of St. Johns re-
turn from Europe. Isuppose they
are trying to catch him for Geor-
gianna. Did you ever hear any
thing so ridiculous ?"
Never! Such horrid taste as
the girl has in dress, too! She
showed me the new silk she is 60
ing to wear. Would you believe
it? It is blue! And she is dark
as an Indian"
THAT is for the benefit Of Mr..
St. John it is his favoritc color.
] met him on the street yesterday.
How tall and handsome he has
grown !"
ayes, and he is so rich Pa
SAYS he is worth half Il million, if
not more"
Here the two girls passed along
out of sight and hearing, quite un-
conscious Of their proximity to
the subject Of their remarks.
"Good heavens" was Mr.. st.
Johns inward reflection; "arc all
women so heartless, so wrapped
in vanity and display ?"
lie was about to quit the store
in disgust when his attention was
arrested by a low and gentle voice,
which aroused a host Of vague but
pleasant recollections. lie turned
eagerly in the direction whence it
proceeded; and as his eyes rested
upon a slender, neatly attircd lady,
they lighted up with pleasure.
A woman would have noticed
that the bonnet, though neat and
fresh, was not Of the latest style,
and the mantle of last seasons
fashion but men rarely observe
such things All that St. John
saw was the graceful form, the
fair and gentle face Of the wcarer.
"Sweet Rose Lennox" he
thought, "she looks as lovely and
fragrant as her name! Can her
fresh and guileless nature be so
perverted as to care for nothing
but outward show ?"
In the meantime Rose made a
few simple purchases, quite uncon-
scious of the eyes that were follow
ing her every look and motion.
us that all, Miss Lennox ?" said
the clerk.
'All to-day"
"If you were thinking Of getting
a dress, can show you something
that will suit you"
"As | cannot purchase, I will
not trouble you," was the low and
quiet reply.
"No trouble at all, Miss" said
the clerk unrolling the goods, and
spreading it out upon the counter
It was a heavy, lustrous silk
brown with a CLINT Of gold in it
not unlike the color Of the soft
hair that shaded her forehead.
1t caught the eye of the Parker
girls who were passing, and they