Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-19

Miss Milford" ] said, quite forget
ting myself, when she stopped.
"Ahl" she said and her face
again flushed crimson.
"This is not the first time" / went
on, 81 have seen you, though you
do not remember me. The house
you occupied last Spring was oppo-
site my lodgings. i remember your
face well, and your songs cheered
many q lonely evening Tor me"
"Ihave seenlyou at your window, =
she replied, half shyly, in soft, low
voice, that made the blood quicken
in my pulses, though why ! could
hardly tell.
'sSing something more, please" ]
said directly.
She chose a simple ballad, a sad
one, and her voice seemed Ike the
wall of broken heart. When she
had finished she suddenly rose and
said, "Are you fond OF flowers P
We have some very fine ones in
bloom now, Tom" she added ,
won't you come into the conserva-
tory 20
Tom rose, giving her his arm as
be did so. Mr.. Milford and l fol-
lowed.
@Alice, DEAR said Tom, with an
uncalled for show of affection, "giYe
me a flower. A rose, say like
roses best"
Alice broke some rose sprays
hastily, and presented them TO him.
"YOu viii not forget my friend 2"
he said, patronizingly.
She paused by a camelia, which
was crowned with rich, white bios
SONS, and plucking one just opened,
She timidly placed it in my hand.
understood her. She saw my
love for her and pitied me. could
not look ND when i thanked her
Oil could she but know whst
knew-that the love / would give
all the world 1 possessed TO win was
held so cheap by Tom.
81 am almost afraid have offend
ed papa Milford" said Tom, after
we left. The old idiot has gone TO
see he isn't up 20 it. 10 won't take
very long for him to lose al he has.
But I'll say no more on the subject.
Are you going there again on Tues
day night ?"
"They asked me, but / have not
vet decided"
$50 by all means" he answered
carelessly. "They seemed TO Ike
you; and old Milford doesn't take
to every one"
Tuesday evening found me at Mr..
Milford's. / had determined not to
go; but could not stay away. IL
was not = party-mercly a friendly
gathering, with music, dancing and
cheerful talk. IL was an exquisite
pleasure TO be near Alice, although
l knew that she was lost 10 me, and
that must crush out the love / felt
for her.
"Come and see us often" said Mr..
Milford, as / was leaving "come at
any and all times
But l hesitated. ] had noticed
that Alice had stunned me all the
evening, nor did she now join in this
invitation. i stammered out some
thing, aud left, resolving never to
enter the house again. Tom was
my friend at least, / owed my In
PRODUCTION to him; and / would
never be a traitor to him, even If /
could. Never to see Alice again
was the honorable course.
Three days after l met Tom in the
street.
"Well, old Milford has done Il at
lastP' he said, stopping me. Lost
every shilling, just as ! knew he
wouldl That sudden panic yester-
day did it."
"And Alice p / asked breathless-
ly.
"Oh, Alice has just written me a
note, asking to be released from the
engagement on account Of her faith
er's failure. Which did, Of course, I"
he continued, with laugh.
"The heartless scoundrel - NUT
tered between my teeth, as 1 turned
on my heel and abruptly left him.
An hour afterwards, / was at Mr..
Milford's. The old gentleman clasp
ed my hand eagerly.
"AIy dear boy do you know"
he began.
eI Know all, - / said, interrupting
him; land L came to see il ! could
help you"
''No, 1 have something left; and
even IL had not, am not so very
old but / could work for Alice"
aAnd Alice-Miss Milford-hOw
does she bear itY'' ] stammered.
Like a heroine. But she has had
more than this TO bear"
81 know IL. The villainl May
Il wonder would IL be asking too
much," 1 stammered out desperate
ly, 'if / might see her Z"
"Of course, my dear boy" !" he said,
but with some surprise. "She is in
the conservatory"
i flew to her side. She was sit
ting listlessly dipping the fingers Of
one hand in the water of the foun-
tain, while she leaned her head pen
sively on the other. At the sound
of footsteps she looked up, and rose
in confusion, crimsOuing all over
face and neck.
"Alice, darling" l said excitedly,
''you are free now, and can speak.
/ do not dare to hope. But l love
youl oh, give me but a chance to
show that /, at least, am honest and
true. Ever since / used to see you
gardening-ever since / heard you
sing last Spring, have loved
you"
She had sunk, breathless, into
her seat again. Her bosom was
heaving conVulsively. Her face one
moment was pale and then dyed
with bushes. All az once a great
hope leaped in my heart, and stop
ped in my passionate and almost in
coherent address.
"Can it be ?" l said, seiziDg her
hand and speaking in a whisper
"Oh, Alice, do not play with me. Is
IL possible Won NAV learn to love
me?"
She returned the pressure Of my
hand ever so family, and murmured, f,
as her head fell on my arm, 81 am
afraid have learned il already"
And then | heard, in broken SEN
tences, in answer TO my eager ques-
tions, that she had long loved me ;
but that when she had found out
the truth or her engagement to
another, honor had kept her silent,
as it had me.
n-.E nn..-o wUEs