American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-02-06
VOL. XIV.


first pace, and if she did TIL
amount of it is, she's IA little icebers
There isn't a spark of fire in her Who'll
composition
AN iceberg with those eyes9" sal
Broughton.
"You don't believe it now, of course;
had no idea you would; but youl
try it," concluded Paulett, with shor
laugh.
"Snly give me the chancc!" sal
Broughton, answering with anothe
laugh. "Come, old fellow, don't take i
SO du grand serieur; a pretty girl is WORT
few shivers, and Pm not obliged t.
stay and freeze longer than l like
She may be as cold as those ston'
women, but she is a long way bette
worth looking at than any have seen
so if you don't unlock the door of the gal
lery, why, shall have to get in at tn,
window, that's all. don't stick at tri
| fes, as you know"
| Paulett did know, and, besides, had ne
pretext for refusing: SO Clarence Brough
ton had his own way, as usual, and made
Margaret Fane's acquaintance.
He had made light of the matter to
Pauiett, but it was not light matter to
| by impulses enough in his life be-
fore, but none that took such entire
| possession of him. His whole heart
was in the venture, and to his i'm
pesuous nature, which circumstances
had conspired to spoil, the delay and
| caution necessary to success were almost
intolerable. His wishes had never
brooked opposition, and it was late to
learn the lesson now.
Marguerite was such mystery to him
Was she indeed SO cold? But why, then,
that softness that lay in the depths OF
her dreamy eyes, that strange wistful-
ness which lowered about the childlike
curves of her lips? They were not for
him, it was true; but if they were in her
soul might they not one day be for him
if he could only school himself to wait ?
As for that, he could wait any length
of time, he thought, with such an end
N sight; still, the words were trembling
on his tongue ten times a day, and it was
only the fear of running his own cause
that kept them back.
They were spoken at last. 1t was one
morning that he brought her a handful
of mountain blossoms which he had
gathered at no little trouble and some
risk But what did that matter if he
could make her eyes look at him an in
slant with that look which a flower, a
picture, breath of music, could call in
to thems He had his reward, but the
lOOh ldutu dk6lu dS Silt Sd.u.
But, Mr.. Broughton, Lieut.. Won An
dernach said these flowers grew only on
the Wasserberg, and that the ascent was
dangerous?"
Lieut.. Won Andernach often talks
nonsense" answered Broughton lightly.
Marguerite looked at him a moment
still and then with a sudden movement
dropped them into the rapid stream that
ran fOaming through the ravine below.
"That is very flattering," said Brough
ton, biting his lip. "Supposing l had
risked my life it is pleasant to know
what value you set on it,"
What right have / to your life?" said
Marguerite in a low tone. Did you
think would take them at that price?"
"Why not?" he returned, coming and
standing before her. Don't know am
nothing to you in comparison? Haven't
seen you look at those senseless things
with a look / never could hope for
though 1 would sell myself ten times
over? Haven't seen the tears in your
eyes"
He could see the tears in her eyes now
and they made him pause.
Marguerite" he said, bending down
and taking one of her hands in his, 81
but you try me beyond my strength.
Since the day I saw you l have had no
thought but you, and you are hardly con-
scious of my existence. You live in
world of your own and see nothing and
care for nothing outside. If / had gone
over the Wasserberg or were lying at the
bottom of that river l dare say
you would not remember it by
tomorrow; you would have the
and the clouds to look
at, and would not miss me;
nothing to you? can l never be any
thing?"
81 don't know" she said, vaguely
Her face wore look of pain and per
plexity, but in the eyes she lifted for
moment there was something that was
like revelation to him.
Marguerite" he whispered, 'you do
care for me-a little? say, dear?"
~ cannot tell-perhaps; but l am so
cold, as you say" with little quivering
smile; "and if am cold, i cannot
change my nature for you"
AS if I would have you changer" he
with all a lovers incon-
sistency. 81 love you for what you are
only let me love you. Little Icebergr"
ne said, looking fondly down at her;
' but fire will melt ice"
Cor ice put out fire." she answered,
with another faint smile.
1 am not afraid of that" he replied;
and indeed in that first fullness of his |
unlooked-for happiness there was no
room in his thoughts for doubt or fear
for anything save the feeling that he had |
won his life's great stakes; that the |
smile thSt had seemed as far away as |
star was to be his light hencefOrth; the |
heart that had never known one throb |
for another was his own, too, to quicken |
1t his will. He was all security in
the present and confidence in the |
future; it was an easy thing to wait pa
liently, now he had gained so much and |
was SO sure of the end.
But this mood did not last; it could
not with character like his. 1t was
easy, doubtless, before making the trial
10 resolve to be patient and give this
mad begun in it. But patience was pre-
;isely what Clarence Broughton had
never possessed. He could conquer diff
'ulties with an impetuous effort, but he
could not wait to see them vanish of |
themselves. Things in their course never
went fast enough for him; an hour must
10 days duty, week the work of
year. Marguerite was as much as ever
mystery to him. He could not compre-
bend woman who could love and vet
not blush and tremble; who could see
nm occupied and occupy herself with
,ther things, quietly content without
perpetual assurance Passion and pro-
estatiOn were natural to him and he ex-
)ected them in return from her, forget
ing that love does not work by miracles,
her own words that she could
rot change her nature for him. He had
declared then that he would not have her
,ther than what she was, but gradually
ne grew to resent the very peculiarities