Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-02-17

] her appearance in the assembly; and
many a youth in irreproachable toll
ct claimed the honor of her hand in
| the dance, in truth she was the belle
of the party, and excited much envy
in the minds of those who fain
would have been. Amid all the in
cense of adulation so grateful to the
flirt and coquette, she felt an unsat-
isfied longing; and turned from the
! crowd that surrounded her, and
sought the eyes of her hearts king;
they were averted looking else
where, she watched their direction,
his glances fell on gentle Annie
HAYS, a sweet young girl, dressed in
simple W ite, looking as fresh and
unpretending as the modest daisy
that stars the dewy meadow on a
Nav morning. Her woman's intui-
ton told her that he loved Annie
She entered into the intoxicating
waltz. and the room seemed to trem-
BILE with rapture as the sweetest
symphonies, and the richest per-
fumes, and rarest flowers, breathed
out their souls in the arms of the
adoring airs; but Mabel needed them
not. a great truth that filed her soul
with agony was knocking at her
! heart like a death knell. Everard
| loved her not. She danced, chatted,
and laughed with the brainless cox
combs that surrounded her, while
the skeleton grinned and chartered
! its teeth at her, as her heart stripped
/ Of its gay hopes and warm antlcipa-
tions, shuddered, grew icy cold, and
almost stood still, beneath the gay
bodice, and glittering jewels that
| cleaned above il like stars over q
new made grave. And skeleton
! fingers drew back the silken cur
tains of her couch that night as she
tossed from side to side and Vainly
| tried to sleep, and a sepulchral voice
/ hissed in her ear. All, Mabel, what
is wealth? What is beauty, rich at
tire, and sparkling gems to you!
Everard Graham loves you not!
And she replies, ''they are nothing.
o, wretched woman that l am
Would that 1 were Annie Hays"
and the morning light broke upon
eyes dim with weeping and watch
"How lovely Mabel Foster looked
tonight" remarked Annie Hays to
her lover as he escorted her home,
"and how richly she dresses" She
seemed very happy, and was ad-
mired by all. ''Mabel is q queen by
nature, belle by right" lisped one
of the exquisites, who wished to
make suit with her prospective
wealth. $50 much attention will
spoil that girl, indeed | think she is
injured already" snappishly replied
an eclipsed belle to her escort who
had made some fattering comments
on MabePs appearance and success.
Such was the outside; the inside
was her secret. 1t was dark and
dreary enough, for the dream that
made her life so bright had faded.
She was heart-sick and weary, but
covered it all with a smiling exte-
rior; and the next season saw her at
all the gay resorts, seemingly very
; happy.
She was never without a lover;
and when one more favored than the
rest disappeared from the scene, the
rest rejoiced, thinking there would
be a better chance for them.
At last her heart was again touch
ed. a tall, graceful, fascinating
man, with eyes and hair of jetty
blackness, commenced paying his
addresses to her; and she almost for
got the past, listening to the music
of his voice, as he poured forth pre-.
testations of undying affection into
her believing ear. She thought him
disinterested, and faithful, and
dreamed not it was wealth he
5 sought, until he suddenly forsook
her for one whose sole recommen
dation was gold-the daughter of
millionaire. He made haste to bow
down TO this golden idol, and Mabe
j was forgotten.
e At length, during a winter IL
+ Washington she made the acqusint
o ance of a distinguished Senator, ant
o after q short courtship they wer
: married. Her parents were pleased
d the world applauded. Ease, ele
o gance, luxury and distinction, wer
hers; but some how there was
: weight on her spirits.
II Her husband was polite and at
n tentive, and left no want unproVld
l. ed for; but he seemed absent, an
2 distracted, and went out often, an
a STAYED out late. Though not suspi
Is cious by nature, Mabel began t
II have vague fears that he was uI
lie faithful, things did not improve
le years went by.
II, | Evidences OF HIS lLllOC41IS II
)r ! creased; and she felt that she was a
TO unloved wife. There was no hars
b. words between them. She did ne
upbraid him. He was always r
r spectful, polite; but cold Theil
as was very queit household, say
US when they had company, for the
." was no children sent them to ira!
We for a better state of existence.
to Mabel had abundand leisure
hit think of the past, and its burit
all hopes, and to look at the skeleton
sh her cupboard.
.p- Often the good we have is disT
garded, for the sake of the good '
~, have not. Thus it was with ht
he | She remem bered that her love h
ess been poured out like water, whe
so | it met with no return-that she h
no been trif1ed with; and at last mi
led ried by one who loved her NJ
IS, She thought of Annie Hays, wit
nd out gold or jewels, on whom W
the bestowed the priceless treasure
she a loving heart. OF Sudie w,
lile who toiled from morning till mig
the in the humble cottage of her pc
led old aup-, and had never worn q
en- thing finer than cheap print; q
remembered with bitterness, Il
lid even Sudie's lover was faithful, q
cen had never loved any one else in
all life.
So Yet the world still caressed, fl
han tered and envied Mabel.
Her receptions were eulogis
Ith, her sumptuous banQuets heralC
any by the newspapers; reporters Gag
,ar- ly sought opportunity to give
par counts of her appearance at vari'
of fashionable resorts; and the pro
the BILE cost of her silks, velvets, lat
nd and jewels.
ner She was still very beautiful, {
OF the same calm smile wreathed
-ed- lips, and dimpled her round che
gni- as of old, but the grim skeleton I
WINS mocked her youthful joys, still
ght, in her cupboard, shaking his tiC
less finger at her saying, ''all is '
rae ity and YexatiOn of spirit, and
orld end thereof is death: and to this
stOn must come at last"
and How 10 Pop the Question.
.stly
was Pitts is a capital business h;
"ra- He examines the goods he is thi
the ing of purchasing, and then 5
''Well, I'll look around, and
that don't find any thing that suits
.thly better, Pll call and take this"
roze long ago Pitts said to himsell
low. am getting rather long in VI
, the and guess I'll get married"
iety. business qualities wouldn't let
,ccu- wait: so, calling upon II lady fri