Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-05-11

was VIII fFeu NllnPklns, VINO
never makes morning calls except upon
Mr.. Barnard"
II am happy to say that Mr.. Simp-
kins never makes any calls upon me-"
Miss Helen, you are too cruel y
cried Vane.
81 am not cruel said Helen, " am
just"
"Just a flirt," muttered Vane to him
self"
Mr.. Vane. will you be kind enough
to ring the bell? want the CRATE re-
plished. | feel cold"
" ! hope my presence has not had that
effect upon you," said Nane as he arose
to comply with her request.
"Stay," said Helen; "John has gone
out. Won't you put few pieces of coal
in the grate?"
"Certainly," replied the astonished
Mr.. Nane, family, casting a despairing
glance at his delicately tinted gloves,
and murmured, " Five dollars pair"
However, he nervously seized the coal
scuttle and proceeded to replenish the
fire as gracefully as possible.
DO have your photograph taken just
as you are now, with the coal scuttle in
one hand and the poker in the other"
said Helen. at would be so original
and so becoming"
1T pleases you to be sarcastic" an
swered Mr.. Vane, replacing the coal
scuttle, and resuming his seat. You
seem disposed to amuse yourself at my
expense, this evening, Miss Helen"
"And why not, pray?" said Miss
Hammond. 81 have often heard you
say that you believe in extracting
amusement from every one. But | see
you like to laugh at others, but do not
like others to laugh at YOU"
"From you, Miss Helen. expected
better treatment"
"And why did you expect it because
| treated you as | do every one-with
politeness?' said Helen.
Yes, and with more than politeness,"
returned Nane.
What sublime conceit! What rea-
sons hal you for supposing hat treated
YOU with aught save politeness?" asked
Helen.
Because believed you better than
the world gave you credit for; because
| believed you had purer sentiments,
higher aspirations, and a nobler am
bition than that of acquiring the doubt
full triumph of fiirt because believed
your heart, despite your contact with a
cold and selfish world, was still filled
with warm and generous impulses; be-
cause love you, and because believed
my love was returned. Nay, Helen, do
not cover your face, but listen to me.
At first | did not wish to give up my
bachelor independence, but love has
conquered such selfish notions, and |
now offer you my hand, my heart and
my fortune. You do not speak, my own
darling. You hesitate! Beware how
you spurn the first warm love of q young
heart"
He waited in vain for response to
his tender declaration. She did not
move. Unable to bear the suspense any
longer, Vane advanced and removed
from her face the handkerchief which
she had thrown over it. Her eyes were
closed, and she was apparently locked
in the embrace of Morpheus.
"Asleep, by Jove!" he cried in tone
of mingled rage and disappointment.
Miss Hammond rubbed her eyes as if
just from profound slumber.
"Yes,' she said in provokingly
languid tone, /" | believe | have been
asleep. What were you saying-mak-
ing a declaration? Oh, please make
another do enjoy declarations so
much"
Miss Hammond, you have insulted
me-" cried Vane, furiously striding up
and down the parlor.
"You appear to be agitated," she care
lessly remarked.
81 am" he replied "Good evening""
"Where are you going?" she asked.
Going? lam going to engage rooms
in lunatic asylum"
81 hope you will find them comfort
able" she said coolly, as the door closed
on the form of the discomftted Mr..
Vane.
81 have been too cruel" thought
Helen, as soon as Vane left the room.
81 might have refused him without
wounding his amour propre. Yet he had
no business to introduce my name at
the club. But | am afraid | have
punished that youthful indiscretion too
severely. | am sorry too, for | like the
boy. But it won't hurt him much-a
little check in the beginning only serves
to render these youths more ardent; he
will return to the contest with renewed
vigor."
Helen was right. Vane returned in
a very short time. He had scarcely left
the room Wien it occurred to him
to return and pursue a different
course of conduct. He had been actu-
ated before partly by something like
love, and partly by desire to win the
bold bet that he had made at the club f;
but now another and more powerful in
centive was added; revenge for the
wound his vanity had received at the
| hands of the heartless tiirt. So after
walking half dozen squares, maturing
his plans for another and more success
full attack, he again presented himself
at Miss Hammond's door. She was still
in the parlor.
"Whatr exclaimed Helen, as Vane
entered, =" thought you had gone to
engage rooms in lunatic asylum"
"They refused to receive me without
a certificate from you," answered Vane.
I" But truce to pleasantly. l want to
talk seriously"
"That will be a new vein. But | am
fond of novelty" said Helen.
Well, then, | came back to ask oul
pardon; | acted hastily, nay foolishly
What you intended merely as polite
ness | construed into proofs of affection
and when | received the punishment
which my presumption and folly justly
merited, | was angry, even rude. Still
Miss Helen, | think it was unkind tt
| wound the vanity of an old friend b,