The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-03-20
ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA SATURDAY. MARCH DO

+" You know we'll enough" answered
Ralph. Flirting with De Vaux and
milking him believe, like enough, that
you are i'll earnest.
On, it's such fun!" laughed Belle.
carelessly. "Did you see how devoted
ho was last night?"
saw how thoughtless you we're" !"
answered Ralph, gravely. "You may
not like what L am going to say, Bello,
but shall run the risk OF your displeas-
ure. 1t doesn't seem just the thing for
married to be flirting with stranger rs
you arc with De Vaux."
Indeed p said Belle, lifting her
eyebrows "I don't think that remark
exactly original. Seems to me I have
heard it before somewhere.
Do be i'll earnest for once, Belle"
Ralph exclaimed, really provoked "If
you would only stop to think you'd see
how foolish your conduct is. You'd
It occurs to me that you have as
sumed the right TO lecture me quite
enrly in the day." retorted Belle, with
dignity, before he could 60 on. "Don't
go too far"
81 am not lecturipg you," he an
swered.
"What do you call it? 1 should like
to know"
:" I nm merely giving you little ad-
vice, replied Ralph.
II wasn't aware that anyone had
asked for any" said Belle, with good
deal of sarcasm in her tones.
g No, but then people who don't ask
advice often need it," answered Ralph,
meaningly. eff they were only sensi-
BILE enough to take it it would do them
world of good sometimes"
Bellies eyes flashed fire. 81 haven't
asked any advice from you," she said,
Indignantly, "and, what is more, T
don't intend to. I know what I'm about
&C. doubt it," interrupted Ralph.
"And 1 know enough to mind nv
own business, too," went on Belle, "I
wish other people did,"
That was their first quarrel. Ralph
left her, feeling very angry. He had
tried to reason with her and found her
wholly unreasonable. She rather en-
joyed it. In novels lovers always quar-
relied. Their courtship would have been
humdrum enough without some spice of
that character in it,
I'll show him who's MASTER" she
said when he was gone. "tEhe idea of
his debating to mel I'll make him
moro jealous than he is now before I'm
through, and I'll bring him to my terms,
too" Which assertion was a rather
broad one to make, considering the cir
cumstances of the case.
Ralph had hoped that Belle would
look at the matter seusibly after her
anger had cooled but, not being fa-
nous for doing sensible things, sho dis
appointed him. Tho very next day she
went ous riding with Capt De Vaux,
and day or two after that he took her
to concert. Ralph began to feel
gricycd and indignant. He couldn't be
deaf to the covert remarks of his
friends. Bellies actions were beginning
to rouse talk. Everybody knew that
they wero engaged. Knowing this, and
seeing how intimate she was with Dc
Vaux, it wasn't to be wondered ut that
they gossippod over tho matter.
1t isn't II very pleasant feeling, 1 i'm
agine, to he in Ralphs place-to hear
your friends discussing the doings Of
your promised. wife, and wondering
what YOU arc going to do about it.
Ralph bore it as long rs he could. Ho
",
to come to some sort OF an understand
ing. He met Capt. De Vaux as he
went i'll. That gentleman smiled inso-
lently on his rival. Ralph wanted to
give him good whipping. 1t
would havo served rs an oscapc-valve
for some of his ugly foclings if ho could
have dono 80.
"Oh, yon ought to hnye come be-
fore" cried Belle, with effusion; Capt.
De Naux has been singing ducts with
me. Such u beautiful tenor voice us
he has You never heard him sing
did YOU"
II haven't had the pleasure" answer
ed Ralph, dryly.
Belle. "He's coming over to practice
with me again. You'd just enjoy listen
ing to him. never heard anyone sing
'Inanita' 80 exquisitely as he does
never He throws 80 much passion
into it. Was really charmed, 1 assure
you."
"No doubt of it" said Ralph.
And you'd enjoy his company so
much," ratified on Belle, thinking, I
suppose, that she was doing something
remarkably brilliant. 81 do. He's so
witty; he keeps me laughing half the
time. l don't think I ever enjoyed a
gentleman's society SO much before
Probably not, retortcd Ralph. He
was beginning to get thoroughly dis
gusted. Hc had thought Belle much
more womarly than she was. He had
deceived himself. Now his eyes were