Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-05
q am only dreaming Of future possibili-
ties.'n hf EEN 81
4 aOf course, expect as much from such
q dro mar. a q ,,fAY1 .IarlrAia =

dreamer as you, Jennle.
"Well, if We sit here dreaming and specu-
lating we viii not accomplish the trimming
of our dresses in time for Mrs. Arnold's re-
ception this evening. So come, Ellie, and
let's retire to our own room where we will
be uninterrupted in the intricate matters of
arranging ribbons and bows wherewith TO
enhance our charms. Who knows but our
stranger may be there ?" and with merry
whirl, Jennie seizsd Effie around the waist,
and drew her to their own apartment, where
the subject Of dress engaged their attention
until the hour for the reception.
Mrs. Arnold's elegant reception rooms
were resplendent with light and beauty as
at late hour, Jennie and Efie entered
and advanced to greet their smiling hostess.
In all the throng of besuteous maidens
there were none who rivaled thsm for grace
and loVliness. Jennie was sparkling bru-
nette, while Fife was petite blonde, with
clustering locks of gold and eyes of deep,
liquid blue. They were general favorisies
amongst their circle of acqusintances, and
they were soon the centre of merry,
chatting group, bent on extracting the
sweets of the passing hours.
The evening was speeding pleasantly
away, and Effie, wearied with the attentions
of Fred Garner, who had followed her every
motion with lover-like assidu;ty, sought re-
fuge for awhile within the curtained recess
of deep, bsy-window. Drawing the cur
tains after her, she stood for some tine
viewing the gay crowd passing in panoramic
review before her. Then we9ried with that
pastime, she turned to the star gsmmed
arch above, and from its restful tranquility,
felt peaceful calm gradually stealing over
her preturbed spirit, until the vast moving
throng seemed lost in the distance. She
was startled at length by hand laid upon
her shoulder and Mrs. Arnold's merry voice
exClaiminqi
"Star-gazing, as hope to livel All you
@srnaut, you have been on . voyage to the
moon, suppose. am sorry to interrupt
you, but as you are needed on this sublu-
nary sphere while longer, must perforce
summon you back to earth. have been
searching for you for a half hour at least,
and heard most forlorn knight piteously
inquiring for Miss Mowbray."
"That is one of my chief reasons for re-
firing from gay society for awhile. That
knight, as you style him, has been my bette
noir all the evening, and was glad TO seek
the shelter of this coy nook from his an
noying attentions"
"Ah, Effie," merrily responded Mrs. Ar
mold, s'to think of your rejecting as annoy
ing attentions gallantries which tWo-thlrds
of the girls in the room are crazy to be the
recipients Of. Well, dear, Inow know why
you have appeared 50 distrGtte for several
hours. The glitter of diamonds has not
dazzled you it seems; and If you will delgn
to return to society for awhile, as pleas
ing contrast will present to you young
friend who desires me to act as envoy for
him to Miss Mowbray's good graces."
"No more endeavors at matchmaking, if
you please, Mrs. Arnold" remarked Efie.
81 promise you 1 will not interfere, but
let the course of human events flow in
their natural channel; but permit me to sug-
gest that you smooth that frown from your
brow ere return" and so saying Mrs. Ar
mold turned away, but soon returned with
a dark, distingue looking gentleman, whom
she introduced as her friend, Edward Lam
don. ......
With a grave bow he returned Efie's
graceful salutation, while q look of undis-
guised admiration fell upon the pure CLASH
cal face of the beautiful girl. Mrs. Arnold
possessed the rare tact of causing strang-
ers to feel perfectly at ease with each other,
and in her elesful companionship they were
soon chatting with the familiarity of old
time friends.
aBut this is selfish" exclaimed Mrs. Arm
old, rising at length, sand must break up
this little coterie. There is set now
forming, and see they lack some, and l in
sist upon you two making Up the defcien-
cy."
Gas YOU please, Mrs. Arnold, though it
is infinitely more agreeable in this retired
nook" answered Mr.. Landon, and, offering
his arm to Effie, they passed into the room,
and we're soon joining in the may iutrics-
cies of the dance.
Efie found her partner most charming
aquaintance, and when, with clash and
bang, the music ceased, and he led her to
seat amongst the budding flowers Of the
cool conservatory, her head was in strange
whirl, and her heart beating with other emo
ton than the mere excitement incident to
the dance.
During the remainder of the evening Ef-
fie moved about under the spell of new
and plea ureable emotion, and when at last
she laid her weary head upon her pillow,
see unwillingly acknowledged it herself that
her wayward fancy was ensnsred at last.
"Cap.ured at last, Miss Efie, do be-
lieye,n laughed Jennie, arousing her from
the pleasant dreams into which she was
slowly drifting, "do you know your hand
some, new-found friend?"
"What a simple question jennie" sleep
ily replied Effie, "most assuredly L would
not have accepted his company without due
presentation"
ayes, am aware of all that, but did you
never see him before; do you know any
thing about himw Jennie meaningiy asked.
"Of course l never saw him previous to
this evening, ard consequently know moth
ing about him. But bis being a friend Of
Mrs. Arnold is sufficient endorsement of
his character, 1 should think. Since your
engagement to Frank Raymond you have
become vastly particular, dear cousin"
80 you little innocent, l see you do
not understand me, and are secure in your
innocence. Most assuredly do not in
tend to enlighten you, but await the de-
velopments of time, weaving q nice little
romance in the meantime. Pleasant
dreams to you, Efie DEAR" and with a
merry laugh, in spite of Effie's remon-
strances Jennie extinguished the light, and
was soon fast asleep. But Effie now
thoroughly aroused lay for hours wonder
ing as to Jennie's possible meaning, until
at last sleep overlook her in the midst of
her cogitations, and gently sealed her
weary lids.
"Efie, darling, have waited on you so
long, yet you keep putting me off upon one
pretext or another until am, Worn out
with suspense. Is my answer to be q SIM
liar one to the first words l ever heard from
your lips?"
"The first words you ever heard from my
lips Mr.. Lsndon, queried kfie, with mys-
tilted air, cannot conceive how they can
in any way affect the subject in question"
"You do not? Effie old you never see
me prior to our meeting at Mrs, Arnold's
over a month ago, since which time yeu
have managed to keep your poor victim on
the rack of suspense, lnow buoyed with
hope, now dashed with despair"
"If ever met you before then, Mr.. Lam
don, the incident was too tIifiBg to make
any impression upon my mind" replied
Effis, with pout.
90, you 'tantalizing sprite,' responded
Mr.. Landon, Il am almost tempted to re-
fresh your memory. outcome, Effie, lay
ing all testing aside, / must have an answer
ere leave You tonight"
"MuSt? said Effie, then fear Mr.. Ian.
don must wait yet longer"
"You are very willful, Efie, and sadly
try nv patience, but perhaps you will only