The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-03-16

had waited on, in tenderest devotion, not
less than as many women as he cared to
count. He was an esregious Airt-the
most astOundingly, indifferent friend, af-
ter his attentions we're over, and new
face had attracted his attention.
He was not bad man he was care
less, thOughtless son of fortune, who enjoy
ed life as suited him best; and that was,
for him, to firt with the ladies. Ernest
Tracy looked coldly at him, as he replied:
"NO, I've seen her dozen times; but |
have never once spoken to her. You will
be more fortunate, Bert"
A laugh broke from Hastings lips,
"SeriOusly, Ernest, I'm afraid you have
fallen in love with the charming Miss
We're de We're. BY the by, suppose, after
I've had the coveted introduction, 1 pre-
sent you to Miss Grace, and we both enter
the lists 2"
He was watching Tracy closely, and saw
the angry flush mount his forehead.
"Thank you; no."
The words were given coolly-cuttingly;
but Hastings did not disrelish them.
"You fear NE, then, Ernest Well,
Faith! | can't keep dancing attendance
on a pretty girl, and I suppose if Miss
We're de We're is so irresistible, she will
bring me to her feet in no time"
"To be discarded when the seasons
p' rejoined Tracy, bitterly. ebert,
you mustn't do it. She is too noble-too
lovely, to be triAed with lightly, OF
course, she'll like you-she can't hel p it,
Bert but pray you'll not serve her as
you did Lulie Osten, only a six-mOnth
ago."
81 hope not, Ernest, myself"
Bert Hastings laughed again, and then
yawned, as he drew cigar from a richly
painted canvas case.
"That's from Maude Echels, Tracy
that tiny little hazel-eyed girl we saw at
Newport, last season.p
lie lit his cigar, and lounged toward the
door.
"You're proud of those trophies, Bert;
but I'd rather be shamed by them than
glory in them. But firt all you choose,
so you don't wound Grace We're de Vere."
Hastings hand was on the door, but he
turned, abruptly, and confronted Ernest.
"That reminds me, Tracy, that I'll lay
a wager with you. It's this next month
-four weeks from to-day, if you will
I'll show present from Grace We're de
We're. There, don't get pad over it, it'll
all be in fun"
Hastings threw his cigar into the gold
and-emerald china vase, and, with merry
"Au revoir," departed.
Tracy frowned-a mingled expression
of anger and grief.
ebert Hastings will fascinate her; she
will fall in love with him; she will be
wounded, grieved, shivered by the blow
he will at last give her; for, beautiful as
she is-fair, lovely, as she is-he would
not marry her, because she is poor; while
that very lack of riches is my only encOur-
agement."
With deep breath, very like sigh,
Ernest Tracy turned to his books again,
to drown all thoughts of love and romance,
in the musty pages of Blackstone.
Radiant in an emerald silk poplin, its
lustrous reflection enhancing the pearl-like
purity of her lovely face, where the fash
ing black eyes burned and glowed with a
midnight glory, was Grace. We're de We're
that winters day, as, her royal head,
thrown proudly back against the large
lounging chair, she looked, half tenderly,
half freezingly, upon two letters that lay
unfolded in her hands.
"It is almost difficult to decide which Of
these two offers l shall accept; they both
profess to love me, and IL am all in the
dark"
a blush dawned on her perfect face, as
she lifted one of the letters to reperuse it.
ebert Hastings is handsome, faultless,
and such cavalier. He and can dance
the German and Gallo as no other couple
I ever saw and, at Mrs. Rush's sociable,
only last night, he whispered we were too
we'll mated in dance even, to not join as
partners for life."
The pink tips Of her sea she'll ears grew
roster at the remembrance.
"Besides, they say Mr.. Hastings is very
rich, consequently, he cannot be more de.
sirous of my newly inherited fortune, of
fortnight old. Poor old Uncle John !!
To think that l must lose him in order to
gain the fifty thousand dollars Well,
Aunt Marcia has been mother to me
these seventeen years, and now | can re-
ward her by remaining with her STILL"
Grace dashed the cloudy tears from her
eyes, and glanced at Hastings letter again.
"He is so graceful in his style of writ
ing-calls me his STAR his 'empress,' and
declares no monarch Of extended realms
: ever held sceptre over more faithful
subject than L, ibis beautiful princess
imperial,' over him-'my sworn admirer
and ardent lover.' He is fine fellow,
certainly; and his eyes have such a light
in themw
A smile crcpt over her naughty lips, and
then she laid the letter aside to pick up
the other.
"Ths bears date three weeks backbone
week before dear Uncle John died and it
: must have come before came home from
my three weeks visit up to the lake and,
: suppose, in the hurry and confusion of
my arrival yesterday, and my going to
. Mrs. Rush's, last night, auntie forgot to
hand it to me, until Mr.. Hastings, arriving
this morning, reminded her of it. Dear |!
! sometimes wish Uncle John had not been
| so decisive in that letter he wrote mo, be-
fore his death, when he forbade my put
ting on mourning, or the least sign Of it /;
and refused to sleep in his grave quietly,