The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-05-22
= A NOVEL SPOILED.


The heroine was not beautiful, to be
gin with, not queenly, nor in any wise
remarkable. She was just q plump,
winsome little maiden, and she stood at
the garden gate, that mOonHt Sunday
evening, with an air the very reverse Of
stateIiness and composure, pulling
leaves from the rose-bush near by with
nervous, huttering fingers that did not
even know when the thorns priclzed
them. Outside the gate was a tall fig
ure, a face bronzed and bearded, and a
low voice uttering words half pleading,
half resentfu1. There was a moments
pause, then the voice questioned, with
a dash of bitterness -
Shall go, Maggie27
just as you please, Mr.. Clifford -
vhereupOn the questioner turned sud-
denly about and strobe rapidly down
the country road, crushing the glitter
ing sand under his feet, While Maggie
sped into the house, up to her room,
and bolted her door as if afraid of be-
ing pursued. She peePed through a
window, from behind curtain, until
the lonely pedestrian on the quiet road
had vanished fr0nlaaight; then she as
sured herself that g Il Tom chose to act
so--so--she didn't care ~ and proved
her utter Indifference by burying her
face in her pillow with burst Of sobs,
and entire forgetfulness Of the pansies
in her pretty hat.
They had quaTeled about nothing
at least she couldn't remember what It
began with,-but, Of course, it was all
over between thom now, and he would
60 away as ne had said. She wondered,
as she lay with her flushed, fearful face
turned toward the stars, how Il would
seem to die that night, and go away
from it all. Wouldn't somebodY be
sorry then? She almost wished she
copld do it,-not quite, because one
doesn't like to stop in the middle Of a
story, even if it is ones own and, be-
sides, what good would his remorse do
her If she could never know anytime
about It?
Tom, on his homeward walk, dis
coursed farioualy 60 himself upon the
hcl1lencss and preversity Of all woman
kind "Not one Of the whole race
worth breaking fellows heart for, he
remarked savagely, though with a queer
little quiveE about his lips the while.
One thing was certain, he would not
stay moping there The assosld was
wide, and there was nothing now tC
hold him back. He would resign hi,
place in the village store, and JOIN th,
party for Arizona. Yes. ne would tax,
the FIRST morning train for tho city ant
tell Golfer he would GO there was for
tunately time enough far that yet. ans
IL It left brief space FOR separation. s.,
much the better. Re should not wei
or people 70 change their opinion. D,
thought, fneying that by "people" h
meant Miss Maggie. but, in reality
fealiug more faitcring of purpose in
nearer party.
Let lhe Sunday night be what Sc may
Monday morning. follows It an the same
Maggid was glad that it was Monda
morning. since 10 left her &c liberty f
SIT will her sewing IN n quiet coraer b.
a window uiiquestionsd and undisiurb
ed. while busy Aunt .poiIy. who woul,
allow no inexperienced fingers 70 inter
meddlo with her Washing. aud lam
Aunt Becky. who aiwavs would ssa
where Polly was. we're n the kitoha
adjoining No ordinary kitehen va
this, steaminq. soapy snd disrsnsolato
but a large. pleasant, tidy room. wiler
Amt Becky eould enjoy her arm-eilai
and her knitting together sift Am
Poliy's discourse. The latter Fady ws
. unasuaily saikative on waeb- -day. 70.
sibly being surrounded ~ tabs ~
. piles % linen suqgesiad. vaguely. pal
pit or speakers stand. perhaps bsvin
had oil Sunday 10 think in. her opinion
needed shaking ont aud smoothing =.
fore they were laid away for the woel