The Van Buren press., 1872-10-29

presented by the fair hands of Mabel
! Gray hersst?'
MIR. Mordaunt, said Mabel, slightly
eoiorng. is the bsst judge Of his own
thoughts, and viii estimate any gin OF
mine at its proper value. You, sir. at
least. have no right to assume the char,
actor Of mentor, and, If have ever Civ
en- you encouragement you must forget
She silly whim Of tho moment
1T It's on this very subject that would
speak 20 YOU, said Pearson. My
sentiments toward You have been GccIar-
ed too long and remain too unchanged
to be doubted for one moment. / was
dull enough once TO imagine that you
loved me and Heaven kuows with what
rapture | believed so; but soon others
were smiled upon--Mabel Gray became
the idol Of fow trihers-and gradually
found myself treated merely as one oil inc
throng, This / cannot-nay, wilpnot--
bear have now come to resolution
on the subject, and firmly intend to act
upon it.
=" A very dreadful on ?' said Mabel,
smiling. "On do let mo hear IT, Some
thing that will Gstonjsh me, now, and
bleak the monotonous love making Of
my other admirers,
"a simple one, said Pearson, but
one that will set your GOODNESS at deh-
ancc. Mabel, ! have brought myself by
a iong course Of mental discipline, TO the
power OF dreaming as ! please. ] intend
to dream every night that You are the
most truthful, most aiiect,unate, most
constant Of youf sex, that you adore me
more that any lady ever adored knight IN
the old romaHccs that our days giIdc
on in one delicious stream Of uninter
ruptcd love and that our mutual con.
duet is a pattern worthy of limitation
by every couple in the kingdom.
$50, " said Mabel, affecting to laugh,
this is your scheme, is it, sirf Given
forth with so much parade, too, and with
SO grave a face You shall sec what the
reality will be-I will treat you with
greater colducss than ever
." Do. my dear Miss Gray, said Pear
son, throwing himself carelessly back in
his chair; "pray do; the contrast will
be botter; and in the meantime ! will
console myself with your imaginary
kindness
This Is really quite amusing said
| Mabel Perhaps pou will so so far as
TO tell me your dreams, sir; in order that
| may see how very, very kind | have
been
"The Identical thing was about to
propose, said Pearson. Yes; ] will
. give YOU an account Of them every morn
ing aud YOU shall listen. But mind, no
interruptions when you think you have
been too kind to mo Is it compact 2
"Itis," said Mabel "Thore is my
hand; cn1 iryou viii ho content with
such a phantom mistress, almost think
! will give you leave to dream Of me ey'
cry night for a twclvemonth.
Whether Mabel Gray were as much
amused as she affected to be l cannot
pretend to say, but certain it is that she
was much Interested; for the next morn
ing she was sitting thoughtlully alone in
tho breakfast parlor and looking anx
iously toward the door oyory monent,as
j if expecting the entrance Of visitors.
At length the door wGs opened and
Mr Pearson wac announced Mabel rose
in Z stately manner to receive him but
Pearson shook her hand heartily, with q
Joyous counteuancc seated her in her
chair and Immediately drew another
close beside her.
"Miss Gray said he, "neyer was
love like yours, What devotion have !
found at length in the bosom which was
once so cold "
"Sir, said Mabel augrily,
In my dream, said Pearson. "Ot
course meant in my dream MethoHght
sat il an arbor covered with vine and
jasmine. Mablo Gray WAS by my side,
and smiling swcclly on me. A delicate
repast WAS before us, and servants hand
sd us iagons of wine The fruits love
best were offered me by Mabel's own
hands | Was happy beyond expression.
Suddenly the seats around the table were
filed with men, and, mcthought, too,
that among the faces | recognized that
Of Mordaunt Mabel Gray Immediately
left me. and attended to these new com
els To some she poured out wlnc--to
others she handed their favorite fruits,
talking and laughing with each one IN
turn, and scarcely bestowing look on
me In the midst of this fes.iylty n
thick smoke arose, which, after curling
round many times, assumed by degrees
tho form Of tiger, ready TO dart on bis
prey All were seized with fear aud
trembling, but none had power to move.
And thsn methought the tiger spoke and
said Mabel Gray, you have twelve
guests Eleven are doomed and must
die. Make choice, therefore, OF one to
be saved and see that you choose as
you think-for not one Of the Others
shall survive your decision Mabel
Gray grew deadly pale. Intense anxiety
was depicted on the oountenancc Of all.
> Nota moment was to he lost She threw
herself upon my neck, embraced me ten.
derby, and, imprintins burning kiss up
on my lips
a kiss, sir" said Mabel, suddcaly
starting up; "a kiss. ~
Twas in my dream, said Pearson.
" Remember, YOU were not 10 interrupt
But have finished for with the kiss !
awoks: SO whether the tiger deyourod
the others or uot | have really no means
Of ascsrtainiug.
"a pleasant dream, truly, said Ala
bel, laughing, and with tue bloom on hen
+ cheek somewhat heightened in intensity
at j. cntor'sjuny. however, and shows
& 4 F.. .