The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-12-20

beauty burst into silveTy laughter. which
was distinctly heard around the next blorI,
The idea of a gentleman coming to SEQ
you - and again The flood of silverv LAUGH
ter dcluged the whole neighborhood. In
the midst of it GlOriana-for such was the
ridiculous creatures name-silently turned
and left the apartment
Maud at once laid aside her book, and
having kicked the kitten across the room
and adjusted her waterfall, she threw her
self gracefully into her hoops, and descend
ed tU the parlor
For well knew the belle of Spanish Alley
that captain de POmpano had come to nav
her the highest compliment that man can
pay TO any woman-that he had come TO
offer her his heart and hand. Wby. then.
did she enter the parlor with cloud upon
her peerless brow and smile of scorn upon
her crimson lips? Because 1fer lily finger
was already zoned by the engagement ring.
of another !
Captain de Pompano was at no loss for
words to declare his passion. He was a
man of poetic temperament and extraoTdin-
AIRY memory. His declaration had been cut
and dried for the occasion, and now lay
coiled upon the end of his tongue, like Il
string of many colored beads Man in such
moments is prone to forget all he intended
to say =; but Captain de POIhpano. ever dis
tinguishcd for his presence of mind in per-
lis darkest hour. was complete master of
the situation. Advancing to meet the love
ly Mand as she walked proudly into the
room, he took her by the hand, and kneel-
ing upon the magnificent two-ply carpet
he thus addressed her:
beautiful Maud-star OF nv life per-
dition catch my soul, but | do love thee :
and when 1 love thee not chaos has come
again Speak but one word of hope and
lift me to the seventh heaven of terrestrial
lnr l.,
the tender light of answering love, and
those -uby lips speak only the inarticulate
eioquence of scorn Maud-Maud. cruel
cruel Maud ! Oh, drive me not to despair!
Tell me at least that Your heart is free, and
the sweet assurance will give me life -
For some moments the gentle Maud
could not speak. Her emotions were too
numerous. Never had she read in any
novel more beautiful declaration of love
than she had just heard. Of course she
was not aware that Captain de PomDano
had paid the author of this five dollars for
writing it. 1t sounded so much like de
bciouS romance that she was tempted to
forget her vows TO another and answer him
lear for tear and sigh for sigh" But she
speedily mastered the weakness and was
herself again.
''Tou'd just as well get up and take a
chair, cap'n,' she said at last Its no use
talking; you've come the day af;er the
feast
Then you love another - exclaimed
Capt. de Pompauo, springing to his feet
while streaks of chain-lighUning flashed
f,om his flaming eyes.
Il do" murmurcd the frightened girl
as she hlushingly owned the soft impeach
lnent.
And are engaged to him ?''
''I am
''And his name is"
''Captaiu O'Groupa, of the Martha Ann
'Then, by all tho saints, the pe,fidiou.
O'Groupa dies -
With wild and piercing scream the
stricken giIl tainted and fell with her ex-
quisite feet in the CRATE and her lovely
head in the spittoou. Clearing the house
at a single bound, having paused but to
kick away the spittoon and adjust stray
hoop or two, Capt. de Pompano rushed
fTantically down the street, and dashing
into '''The Sailors Repose," called for a
claret punch.
The hcart-broken lover was about to
drown bis sorrows in the flowing bowl
Alas how often aIe we called upon in
this weary world to witness such scenes !
How often do we see youth and genius
squandering in the whirl of despair his in
estimaGle postal currency for the intoxi-
eating beverage !