Smyrna times., 1871-03-08

9Fy2 I,o
ran from me like frightened fawn."
DO you mean to insinuate, Frank. that vo,
extended an Invitation to Miss De We're to that
enec;! inquired my mother.
J. 1hslliaatG No mother. But distinctly
uecIare that did extend an invitation of that
character to Miss de We're, but she declined if !"
hlch distinctly proved that the govern
eSS iad more correct idea of proprietv than a
gentleman born and bred whose education has
3eeh conducted with the strictest regard to the
uenlan1S ,1 OF society. This only adds another
plVoG Vi MISS de we're Stiffness for the position.
anu furnishes the first testimony ever received
OF my SON unftness for the company of his
equals and superiors.'
Ana my mother, without another word sail.
ed majeStlcally from the room.
Knocked my head against rock might
nave ave known 1t was my inward ejaculation,
=, Inc next evening | spent with nv betrothnJ
She was as cold and formal as ever some way
began to be dissatisfied with the manner Of
my reception. Strangely enough found nv
sell unable to relish two hours on the same
sofa with a woman who invariably Withdrew
IcL .anu ironI my clasp as soon as it was taken.
ing and going was all the carressing allowed
between engaged parties.
~, Is TINS the way lovers usually behave.
MISS Marian | ventured to induire. after
several Intellectual attempts to keep my arm
around her waist.
presume SO, was her reply, without the
least helghtenlng of color. "All well-bred and
rehned persons agree in regard to the require
mcnts OF proprlety, presume" " and then ad-
Toitiy changed the conversation but was not
10 DC urlVen from the new pla latform had tax
en- my stand upon by any such artifce.
ANA you are positive that all we-bred and
Ill.
conJugate the verb 9 to love" and thoroughly
understand It's moods and lenses and that all
engagements between wel-bred and refined
persons are founded upon love, are YOU? |
am to Judge from your behavior that YOU are
deeply IN love with the individual ADDRESSING
you y
:, ! can, l think, refer you to some philo-
sopElcal treatise on the subject il you like, !"
was the reply Of the lady. But" she con-
tlnued, | trust you will see the propriety of
leaving the discussion of this extremely disa.
grecable topic until some future time-atter
we are married, it you please scarcely think
your mother would approve of such CONVEX
satiOn."
;, Humph probably not, was my most un.
gallant reply. But what business is it TO her
how | make love?''
1t seemed to me that night, as l laid my
head on the pillow, that my position was any-
thing but an enaviable one and, to save nv
life, | could not help contrasting the cold and
laS>lonless face Of Miss Marian with the soul
fulI, earnest expression Of the girl | had nam
ed St Marie.
Moonlight flooded my apartment; but the
rays were cheerless and served only to remind
me OF the rigid, ice-cold, society fettered wo.
man, | mad just lett. Sleep came at last
blessed relieti In dreams the Saint only was
visible. Strange now in every conceivable
tone-now soft and meodOus, now earnest and
thrilling, now stern and commanding. A
dreadful weight pressed down upon my chest.
| could hardly breathe.
Frank Sinclair Frank Sinclair! :" rang
out III terrOr-strcken tones and with such a
wealth of tenderness that longed to open my
hands and entod the Saint; but was power
loss to stir hand or foot
felt myself forcibly lifted from the pillow,
and held in a setting position.
Frank Sinclair, the house is on fire VIII
you not awaken? For Gods sake get VI
quickly They are all out but you and /! The
hall and rooms below are all in blaze ~
Do you hear that terrible noise?" We
are lost if you do not make haste, came from
the blanched lips
! 1t was but the work of moment to prepare
myself for flight, and then cover the dear child
who, for my sake, had risked her own precious
lie, with thick blanket snatched from the
bed, and, more like madman than the con
ventlOnal member Of society [ had always con.
| sldered myself, l rushed through the dense
smoke, through the kissing flames down.
down, almost suffOcated, scorched, on FIRE
more dead than alive, into the open air, with
my burden. l came to my senses in a neigh
| Dor house, my mother and sisters weeping
round me. Sitting by table, her fair face
resting on her hand, exhausted and grief
stricken, sat my darling. L tried to rise but
could not.
Marie-Marie, como to me want you !''
L exclaimed, agOnized at the thought Of the
poor child loneliness and suffering.
What does he mean 2" asked my mother
evidently supposing me bereft of my senses
L mean my friend, my preserver, my saint.
| Will you not come to me Marie? p
She crossed the apartment, and shyly ad-
Vanced to my side, placed her hand in mine,
and said: MIR. Sinclair, | am so glad you
are not dangerously injured. l feared that in
saving my life you had sacrificed your own,
and she burst into tears.
| "St. Marie, it was you who kept me from
destruction. Mother, sisters, servants-all
left the house without one word of warning.
You stood by me, and l believe would have
still stood by me, had | failed to awaken, and
met death at my side. St. Marie, believe
have always loved you.
Let me examine his pulse" interrupted
my mother. " He is certainly raving."
'Not bit of it, mother" replied, gain
ing strength by the opposition, and rising to
my feet, This may not be just the time and
place to declare ones love, in accordance with
your strict ideas of social etiquette, but this
night have | turned my back forever upon the
heartlessness, vanity and sefshness of your
so-called society. Marie, love you 7" and
drawing the dear child to my side, | defed the
whole household. " Tell me you return my
affection, and shall be the happiest man on
the face of the EARTH"
She made no answer, but allowed her head
lovingly to remain where had placed it.
The answer was enough.
The next day " Miss Marian" was apprised
of the change of affpirs. My mother has not
yet become reconciled, but | have never had
reason to regret the confagration which dis
covered to me the boundess love of st. Marie.