The Placer herald., 1873-05-17
Written for the HERALD.l
CORINNE.
BY LANCELoT.

emily.
| "Come along and III present you.'
Laurence Everard threw away his cigar
and sauntered after his friend In few
moments he found himself standing, hat il
hand, before tall, stately girl and gazing
at hei with rather more interest tn IN be had
been accustomed, of late, to accord to wo-
men. Something in the way she carried
her proud head, reminded him of his fair,
false love, Lettice Hayward.
Corinne Delorme lifted her large, dark
eyes and gazed at him fixedly for few mo-
ments.
81 think we have met before, Mr. Ever
ard" she remarked in her clear, Aute-like
voice. Launt bowed. "That seems hardly
possible, for yours is face not to be forgot
ten." Miss Delorme laughed pleasantly.
81 was quite child then, and the scene
was Paris. Besides, since then, have been
speculating in-fortunes, and that makes
a difference, you see.
"Not with me-" said Launt honestly.
81 say, we-all," she retorted, struggling
her shoulders increduously, 'preach one
thing and practice the opposite.
"You are severe"
''But just, as you will admit" she ans
wered, laughing carelessly. She turned away
TO greet another arrival, and Laurence left
"Here are more of your many friends
care you good men and true?" quoted
Miss Delorme.
81 am sure they all hold that opinion of
themselves at any rate"
"Aye, so are they all honorable men, "
answered Mis- Deorme, slight touch of
sarcasm ringing its change in her voice.
"You are addicted to Shakespeare this
evening""
"Would you were, SO as to prove the
truth of my quotations.
/ Miss Delorme and the speaker passed out
of Everard's hearing. lie did not see her
again that evening.
Years before Laurence Everard had loved,
and fondly imagined his love returned. The
anguish his proud spirit had endured when
Lettice deserted him, had emb ttered and
made his nature cynical. He was proud to
fault, and generous as proud. AS he went
homeward the memory of Miss Delormes
proud, pale face haunted him, and the ensu-
ing day found him at her shrine, She was
sitting idly by her window when Laurence
Everard was announced. A quick, pleased
look leaped into her eyes, but it was sub
dued before he entered. During the half
hour of his stay, her clear voice rang
through the room with mellow laughter,
more than once. Miss Delorme had pleas
ant laugh, low and sivery, like bell.
"Shal call again, Miss Delorme?" asked
Launt, rising to leave. She bowed her head
assentingly He stood beside her chair and
looked down at her.
"Corinne!' he whispered to himself, un-
der his breath.
She heard him. Her dark lashes dropped
to hide the quick fash of her eyes. Then
be took his departure. After that he and
Miss Delorme were frequently seen together
Laurence heard it remarked that Miss
Delorme was engaged. This was early in
the Summer. He walked straight to her
home and into the parlor. He stopped just
inside the door. Miss Delorme stood, her
cheek resting on her hand, looking dreamily
out of the window. The grace of her at
titude was irresistible. He walked to her
side but she did not appear to notice him.
He laid bis hand on her arm. She did not
turn her head.
"Corinne, are you going to be married."
he asked distinctly.
She shook off his hand impatiently.
''That is strange question! presume l
will = sometime" she answered, without
turning her head.
"Corinne, will you marry me?"
Everard spoke suddenly with the air of a
man who had fully resolved to do dis
agreeable action, Of itself duty and ben
eft to some one else, as though he were
entirely disinterested in the matter. Miss
Delorme faced him slowly.
"Do you think you love me, Mr.. Ever
ard, as man should love the woman be in
tends to NIKE bis wife?"
"No, think not" said Launt frankly.
Her face flushed. "Then it can make no
difference to you if refuse" she said slow
"On the contrary, Corinne, it will make a
difference. ask you to be my wife, | want
you to. You can help me crush the love |
had for Lettice. You will be good and
true wife,.
'Do you think have no heart that you
trample on it thus mercilessly?" cried Cor
inne passionately, clenching her white hand.
Launt opened bis blue eyes at this outburst
''Do you think what you are asking me?"
she continued rapidly.
81 am to be your wife, faithful and true;
minister to all your wants and wishes; help
you to Danish her image, stand forever as a
foil to her beauty; sacrifice my wants and
wichoa all IN Won and for uhot9 A sfhank
you, Corinne, now and then, perhaps. You
are selfish to expect 80 much of me, and
offer me nothing in return but a-position.
Everard was startled.
~ beg your pardon, Corrinne. am a
selfish brute. ] never thought"
"Listen" she interrupted, "women mar