The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-20
THE FREELY CLUB.

welcome welcome right royal
welcome. L am delighted to see you
again, my dear Emile !" exclaimed
Charlie Seton, as he entered the dress
Ing-rOom of his friend, who was Just
completing his toilet. 81 have Just
heard of your arrival, and fastened to
invite you to the house to meet the
club tonight; and you may consider
yourself lucky fellow for think can
promise you a pleasant evening. We
have sent invitations to all the most
fashionable families in the city, and
doubtless there will be a perfect rush.
/ am glad yOu have returned safely.
How do You enjoy I" a life on the ocean
wave, " and how did you pass the long
weary hours and how are you ?"
"Why, 1 am here ali safe and sound.
But upon nv word, Charlie, your vOlu-
bility in putting questions began to
make me doubt the possibility of a
chance to answer you"
"Then your good looks shall answer
for you, for / never saw you looking
better though travelling has effected
some change IN your complexion,
assure yOu it Is an improvement, my
dear Emile"
" am perfectly aware of that, re-
piled Emile, carelessly, as he gave
finish stroke to his wbiskers.
"Ha ha as much of fop as ever Z"
laughed Charlie,
'Well, you know, my dear fellow,
that heaven has been lavish in good
gifts to me. Certainly I can not cam-
plain of i'll looks or bad address," was
the conceited reply.
Z" Then l give You timely warning.
GOu will require all your endowments
tonight, for the reigning star is
cruelly cold fair one" said Charlie,
still laughing.
d" And why say you so? Have you
been captured finally, or have you
quietly surrendered at discretion ?"
" All my dear Emile, that has been
the lot of all who have basked in the
sunshine of her smile-stilI her star is
IN the asceDdancy, and she moves on
breaking hearts without an effort"
g May / ask the name of this dan
gerCus siren ?" asked Emile, becoming
deeply interested.
" Charming Celia Bowman"
And she is as bewitchiGg, as cruel,
eh said Emile, dreamily.
Aye Her presence is enchantment.
The most stupid becomes inspired, and
pour forth their souls in poetry and
music as they catch the light of her
smile. Then, their woes she so prettily
derldes, that mCckery becomes enchant-
ing when falling from her ruby lips all
t'el the stroke, but kiss the hand that
Enaites then."
THE pretty tyrant !" exclaimed
Emile.
All, such tyrant as you have never
before seen" replied his friend.
s. And nothing can be done with her?"
questioned Emile.
Really nothing. After numerous
futile attempts, arHed with love, money,
and position, all that a beautiful and am
bitiOus woman could wish, we stacked
our arms en- masse, and declared the
fortress impregnable.
" desire nothing more on earth than
to encounter an accomplished coqUette, .
said Emile, as he dashed some delicate
perfume on his snowy handkerchief.
g L see you intend to attack her, but
caution you to BEWARE" playfully
added his companion.
g May not [ be more lucky than the
rest?' asked Emile, cOnceitedly.
"And free us from the bondage of
her power ?" laughed Charlie, as he
rose to leave the room. "But again l
say beware"
Charlie, she has had her day: the
hour Of retribution Is at hand l will
teach her lesson"
Emile Sinclair was partner in n large
business firm III the city, and had lust
returned from the continent where he
had been for the purpose of opening q
branch business. He was handsome,
had fine address, and full complement
OfpOetry and seutimentslity; which with
his clear olive complexion, dark brown
hair and deep blue eyes, constituted
what the girls denominate ga love of a
man." OF his inner man we will not
speak further than to say, among men
he was counted ga pretty clever fellow. "
Bat nature had bestowed on him a
bOuntful store of vanity. How far the
effect of his being in the possession of a
large fortune may have Influenced the
ladies in bis favor, is impossible to tell,
but certain it is, he had acquired no
small reputation as lady killer" with
ont finding himself, at the age of thirty,
possessed of unpleasant heart troubles
. Will teach this saucy belle what it
is to maltreat my sex, was the thought
that filled the mind of our hero, as he
wendell his way to the house of Mrs.
Seton. Il will teach her a lesson, and
revenge the wrongs Of her victims. OF
course she is some pert miss, with a
pretty face and some sparkle of wit,
without sentiment, refinement or ele.
gauca. / will simply make a plaything
of her; take her TO pieces and put her
together with as much ease as a child
does n chopped monkey. l will fiirt
with her to her hearts content then ex-
II hnr
Will. place the ridiculous points of her
character in the most prominent light,
and then Oyerwhelm her with my wit,
until in very agony of spirit. she sues
for mercy" His dream ended here, for
he had reached the brilliantly illumi-
mated mansion of Mrs. Seton. In a
moment more he was in the midst of a
scene of gaiety, which seemed like en-
chnntment look where he would, his
eye met nothing but sweet visions of
beauty. A band of music poured forth
an uncessing flood of the richest and
most inspiriting harmony, while the air
was heavy with the Intoxicating per
fumes of rare flowers. What wonder
that the eyes of Emile Sinclair flushed
with an unusual brilliancy, or that his
cheek beamedwith pleased surprise, as he
surveyed the Tagnifcance before him.
Charlie Seton advanced to meet him,
and led him to his sisters. The Misses
Seton were surrounded by group of
lovely girls, to whom Emile was intro
duced, but in so hurried manner, as to
leave him ignorant of some of their
names. He soon fell into an easy con-
versation with one of this group. a
young and exquisitely beautiful girl.
Never had he beheld a being half so
lovely. She was exceedingly fair, with
large, melting dark eyes, which the
long black fringe of the silken lashes
half yelled her daintily curved mouth
was clothed with a most bewitching
smile, while her cheeks glowed with
warmth and animation her luxuriant
dark brown hair fell in profuse ringlets
down her graceful shoulders, and which
set off exquisitely her fair and rosy
face; her dress was simple white, and
displayed the outline of form which
was perfection.
"Will you dance?' asked Emile,
anxious to keep her near him.