The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1873-07-09

paradise, Mr.. Van Dyck ?
Your illusions are classical, fair
lady; but are you in earnest in say
ing you are in paradise@
OF course / am, Monsieur, with
the handsomest gentleman in the
company all to myself, and l a
younger sister,
Here Elise. half kneeliug, present
ed the goblet with a bewitching grace
Judge me not too harshly, kind
reader when 1 admit that my heart
beat rapidly. l was young and
susceptible.
I've no accomplishments, went
on my charmer. 1 cannot play the
piano, nor sing, nor dance like my
sister Julia; but here she paused,
and looked at me half defantly,-
I can play billiards 7
"A sort of Di Vernon retorted I,
by no means startled from my self
possession.
% dear! I'll tell pa you called
me that 2
Did you call me dear?' 1 asked
Silly.
No, never call gentlemen dear j;
but it must be very pleasant
Try it to me, then sweet Elise =
1 exclaimed, enthusiastically, enrap-
tured by her engaging candor.
Elise made no reply but to drop
her head till her cheek touched my
hand. l was intoxicated. l believe
l bent down and kissed her.
o. to think of the folly of that
evening!
l confessed my love to the fasci-
mating beauty.
You don't think me rude and for
ward, then, as papa does-as they
all do?' she asked.
No, Elise, 1 adore your simplicity
and frankness. What joy to pass
through life with you!'
%. really, Mr.. Van Dyck = And
Elise nestled closer to me.
I caught her in my arms. She was
shaking with laughter.
please don't be angry, Mr.. Van
Dyck. I really like you very much;
but I cannot marry you,'
and why not?'
Papa wouldn't believe in such
sudden love, for one reason.
But I'll make him believe in it
Hark They're calling to usr
| so they are,' said Elise and she
actually kissed me of her own ac-
cord, ere we went back to the par
lors, where our reappearance was
greeted with much merriment, and
was made the subject of more sly
jokes than good taste seemed to me
to warrant. Elise took it very
coolly.
Did Mr.. Van Dyck propose to
you" asked Julia.
of course he did. You see, Mr..
Van Dyck, made a bet 1 could get
you to proposer
Could I believe my ears? How
had my idol become clay!
The guests shortly after depart
ed, and when good-nights had been
spoken we all retired to our rooms.
Elise pressed my hand when no
one observed us and whispered:
Dream of me, dearestr
1t was long before I slept that
night for excitement. l lay awake,
haunted by the vision of a dazzling
creature in scarlet satin, varied now
and then by another vision-that of
fairy-like little lady in white, with
great gentle eyes.
was frightened too, at the thought
of my own precipitancy, and very
doubtful as to what my father would
say to Elise as my wife. 1 could not
deny, even to myself, that she was
forward and bold.
1t was, as may be imagined, with
very mixed emotions that I descen-
ded to the breakfast-room the next
morning. Mr.. and Mrs. Arundel
greeted me cordially, and soon Miss
Arundel appeared, looking very fresh
and sweet in her white morning
dress, with clusters of scarlet gera-
MUM blossoms in her hair and at |
her throat.
was more impressed by her than
1 had been the evening before, and /
wondered how l had failed to ap-
preciate her extreme beauty and
loveliness.
We were enjoying an animated
conversation when the door opened,
and a tall youth of fifteen or there
abouts entered the room.
My son Fred. Mr.. Van Dyck,'
said Mr. Arundel.
The lad advanced and seized my
hand in a hearty clasp, and-no =
could it be? The dark eyes, the
saucy smile, the clustering curls had
all belonged to my Elise of last
evening.
If any doubts remained, they were
by burst of laughter, in
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