Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-10
oNAPTER TIE THIRD.

She never had in love been crossed,
Who let this foolish maxim fall:
"'Twere better 70 have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all"
- FANNY KxMBLB.
At the conclusion Of the last chapter we
left the peerless Maud Fitzperkins seated at
the window Of her gorgeous boudoir, read
ing the latest novel. As the gentle creature
thus sat and read the story of love and ro-
nance, seemingly unconscious that she was
herself beloved-wildly, passionately be-
loved and must ere long become the sub
iect of the most wonderful OF romances,
the door of her chamber turned noiselessly
upon its hinges, and her sisters sweet,
gushing, full blown rosebud of thirty sum-
mers, though carefully kept in the back
ground, as if
&C. born to blush unseen
And waste her sweetness on the kitchen all,
the door, we say, turned, etc, and the sis
ter of Maud entered the room, bearing in
her hand card.
Upon that card was inscribed the name
of Capt. De POmpano.
Maud cast an imperious glance at the
name and exclaimed, with that petulance
which is so winning in the maid and charm
ing in the wife:
my goodness, gracious me! do won
der what that fellows come back here for?
He's fool if he thinks I'm going to have
him."
80, Maud! he's such nice feAovi" said
her sister; ''Pm sure il he were to come to
see me"-
"Co see yOul" and the willful young
beauty burst into fit of silvery laughter,
which was distinctly heard around the
next block. "The idea of gentleman
coming to see you" and again the food of
silvery laughter deluged the whole neigh
borhood. La the midst of it, Glorisna-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 TO the parlor. -'.
Full well knew the Belle of Spanish Al
ley that Capt De Pompaao had come to
pay her the highest compliment that man
can pay to woman-that he had come TO
offer her his heart and hand. Why, then,
did she enter the parlor with a cloud upon
her peerless brow and a smile of scorn up
On her crimson lips? Because her lily finger
was already zoned by the engagement ring
of anotherl
Capt. De Pompano was at no loss for
words to declare his passion. He was
man of poetic temperament and extraordi-
nary memory. His declaration had been
cut and dried for tbs occasion, and now lay
coiled upon the end of his tongue like q
string of many colored beads. Man in such
moments is prone TO forget all he intended
to say; but Capt. De PJmpaDo, ever dis
tinguished for his presence of mind in
peril's darkest hour, was complete master
of the situation. Advancing to meet the
lovely Maud as she walked proudly into the
room, he took her by the hand, aud, kneel.
ing upon the magnificent two-ply carpet,
he thus addressed her: -, =.
beautiful Maud-star Of my life! perdi-
ton each my soul, but do love thee, and
when love thee not chaos has come again!
Speak but one word of hope and lift me to
the seventh heaven Of terrestrial happiness.
Alas, those eyes beam not with the tender
light of answering love, and those ruby lips
speak only the inarticulate eloquence of
scornl Maud-Maud! cruel, cruel Maud
Oh, drive me not to despsirl Eel me at
least that your heart is free, AMI the sweet
assurance win give me life !"
For some moments the gentle Maud could