The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-03-06
LOST AND WON.

few angry words-and Lionel st. Clair
and Myrtle Ruthven parted. And why?
Simply because the latter thought
Lionel paid rather too particular atten-
ton to Adele Latour, He tried to rea-
son with her, but Myrtle's pride was
touched and saying in cool, sarcastic
tone, {" It matters not L return your
ring henceforth we are strangers,
with an angry step left the room.
"Hello Lion, what's the matter "
said Charlie Euthven, few days after
the above circumstance, meeting our
hero and observing his downcast coun-
tenance. "Has that sister of mine
been lecturing you?"
"She is angry because I happen to
speak to Adele Latour a trifle oftener
than she likes, and accuses me of pay
ing her particular attention, as she
terms it. ;"
Charlie calculated ooh emphatic
ally.
81 have never even called on Miss
Latour, as Myrtle very we'll knows and
because I treated the lady with polite
ness the other evening, and escorted
her home from the iyceum, where we
accidently met, she chooses to consider
it preconcerted plan and now, by her
express wish, we are strangers.
"Ah that is it. Well, never mind
cheer up, old fellow; she will relent
yet, mark my words. Why, when Nellie
and fall out. I leave her, and she soon
comes round"
These merry words brought smile
to Lionels face, as Charlie, whistling a
gay air, pursued his way down the
street.
One day soon after, Helen Carlton, a
particular friend of Myrtle's and Char
lies betrothed, came into the room
where Myrtle was sitting.
"What has happened between you
end Lionel? He was Adele Latour's
attendant at the ball last night why
were You not there ?" was her first ex-
clamation, after the usual greeting.
81 had no desire to go particularly,
as Lionel finds more congeniel CON-
panion in Miss Latour," said Myrtle,
bitterly.
"What do you mean ?'' exclaimed her
friend, in establishment.
Precisely what say; Lionel and
are nothing to each other; since he pre-
fers another's society to mine, have
set him free"
"You don't mean that you have
broken off the engagement ?"
Exactly" and Myrtle held up her
ringless hand.
80 Myrtle How could you. when
you know that Lionel adores the very
ground you tread ?"
"'Actions speak louder than words,
I am led to believe" said she, haughti-
ly. "Lionel st. Clair is not going to
trample on my affections. He shall not
have the pleasure of seeing that care,
even, if die by it. I think my pride
will sustain me if nothing else does. p"
myrtle, Myrtle You will repent of
this" said Helen, sadly, as she rose to
go, thinking of the seasons of heart
WEAKNESS in store for the proud girl.
At first, things went on tOltrably well
with Myrtle, for deep in her heart she
had faint hope that Lionel would come
to her with a confession, ask forgive
ness, and all would be right. But as
day after day passed, and he did not
make his appearance, hope grew fainter
and fainter. Then it was that she felt
the pangs of remorse +; her eyes were
fully opened she saw it was her own
wilful jealousy that had caused all this
misery and many nights her pillow
was wet with bitter tears. But, as she
said, her pride sustained her outwardly.
She was gay and careless, trife paler,
perhaps but no one attributed her loss
of color to the correct cause, and-peO-
pie said, "She has no heart, or she
would not act as she does" Into all
kinds of gayety she rushed madly.
Helen demonstrated with her, but TO no
avail.
One evening Myrtle had been out
walking with a gentleman friend. Dur
ing their ramble, they had strayed to-
ward a Ian e portion of wat T. around
which was a pleasant walk, commonly
called the beach. They had proceeded
but short distance, when, turning
bend in the walk, they came face to face
with Lionel and Adele. Both started
slightly, but Immediately Myrtle be-
slowed witching glance on her com
panion, and uttered playful remark.
No glance of recognition passed between
the former lovers.
Lionel bit his lips until the blood
sta ted he managed, however, to an
swer Adele's questions, although her
innocent blue eyes were often raised to
his face in wonder as to what made him
suddenly so stern and silent.
"Mr. Beresford, we will not walk
any further" said Myrtle, 81 am not
we'll"
Her companion uttered an exclama-
ton of alarm as he caught sight of her
face, for it justified her words. Return
ing to the house, she excused herself
and retired.
What night the proud girl enduredl
1t seemed as though her heart would
break.
Thus three months passed away.
MYRTLE started for a stroll in the
ground attached to the house, one even
ing, lust as the shades of night began
to close around; after wandering around
aimlessly for some time, she discovered
the smoke of a cigar rising from a sum-
mer-house.
"Charlie is in there alone, and will
60 and tell him my troubles, for can't
endure it any longer" said she with
choking sob.
Entering the little building, she threw
herself down at his side and buried her
face in her hands.
go, Charley! I am so unhappy "
she sobbed. ''This hateful pride has
given me so much sorrowI'
A hand gently smothered the tangled
curls, and rested caressingly upon the
bowed head.
eff I could only see Lionel, l
would freely ask his forgiveness, and
beg him to take me back 10 his love
again"
The hand almost too gentle for a
brothers took her hands from her face,
and, IA sing her head, laid it against
his bosom.
"Do you think he would forgive
me ?" continued Myrtle, piteously.
"I think he would; you might ask
him." said a rich, manly voice which
was not Charles.
In an instant, Myrtle was on her feet.
"How dare you ?" she exclaimed, in
dignantly.
But her voice failed her, and she
again sunk to the floor, this time in an
agony of shame and modification.
myrtle, darling rgive mel 1 was
going to make myself known when you
first came in but when you mentioned
my name, the mptation was too great.
Myrtle, won't you pardon me ?" said
Lionel, STOPPING down and lifting the
slight form in his arms. Pardon me |
not only for listening tonight, but also |