The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-29

well. Why, women are the most"
4" You must not berate the sex to me
TheobaId, for my own darling's sake
my affianced bride-whose name I car
not give you now, at her own request
that our engagement be kept private {
short time yet. I'll tell you one thing
however, Theobald-she is the fairest
vision man ever dreamed of a beauti
ful, intelligent, fascinating girl, who
loves me just as well, believe, as love
her-whelly, perfectly"
Winfield, God knows l hope you
will be happy-that you will find your
dream amply realized. / would be the
last man to shadow your rosy sky, but
xperience-bitter, stinging experience
has taught me what it may never
teach you-that there's no such thing as
true, unselfsh love in woman; no such
thing as earnest, devoted affection. 1
loved once, Winfield, as fair a piece of
| Gods handiwork as ever dazzled the
eyes of men; and when she, in the
! same breath, refused 20 marry me be-
cause she could not live on my income
1 tell you, Winfield, it crushed out all
the bright hopes and ambition of my
life, and I'll never be the same man
again, although l am pretty well over it,
as they say.
Winfeld's deep sympathetic pity was
visible in the silent grasp of the hand
he gave Garland.
have half notion to remain over
night for the ball as Mrs. Say ybrookss:
she sent cards n week ago to the hall,
and l can hardly account for it, but l
am anxious as I have not been for
years for the gayety and excitement of
music and dancing and lights and flow
ers. \ reaction, l dare say, after years
of seclusion. You'll 90, Theobald, if
do?'
Yes, I'll 90. There'n be lots of
pretty girls gil hand, an Mrs. Say
brook knows how to entertain to perfec-
ton"
The Ernests-and Madge of course,
then Winfield knows now why he had
been erger to go. Madge-his peerless
one What a charming surprise it |
would be to meet her, perhaps in the
conservatory, amid the tinkle of foun-
tains, where tie lights burned dimly |
and the air was fragrant and warm!
His heart was exulting in the posses
sionship of the lovely girl, and he won
dered if Theobald would suspect if he |
asked after her-his darling, whom he
had not seen for nearly a fortnight
since the midnight when he had kissed
her under the solemn stars.
' Yes, I shall be glad to meet the
Dennisons and the Ernests-Miss Madge
particularly. Do you see her often
She is a most beautiful girl"
Yes, semi-occasiorally As you say,
a most beautiful young lady-bewilder-
ing, fascinating and not all averse to
using the power she knows she pos
sesses."
\ hot flush warmed Winfeld's fair
check. 1rIiis Of AIud-se-his NIadge!
g had no idea Miss Ernest enjoyed
an uneriable reputation"
You see I was right when 1 said
you didn't know women as well as /
You'll doubtless be able to judge for
yourself tonight at Mrs. SayBrooks"
And the stiff reserve in Theobald Gar
lands tone did not come, as Ronald
Winfield thought, from the fact of Ro-
maids own coldness of answer an instant
before.
It was late that night when Ronald
Winfield bowed his situations over his
surprised and delighted hostess plump
hand.
How delicious of you to ceme Mr..
Winfield, but how provoking to come
50 late! They have been dancing this
hour or more, and your particular
friend, Mr.. Garland, has been enjoy
ing himself as long, in his usual way,
flirting, but there's room for you"
Roland smiled and bowed, and went
on through the pleasantly-filled rooms,
looking for the golden head and peachy
cheeks of Madge Ernest
But Madge was nowhere to be seen.
Then all the world changed suddenly
to him for all time. Then he caught
glimpse of tall, stately girl, with ardent
eyes, that the last time he had seen were
smiling in his own; a glory of golden
hair, that had so lately been plllowed on
his breats; fair, ivory cheeks, just tinted
with the pink hue of sunrise-Madge
Ernest, all unconscious of his nearness,
leaning on Theobald Garland's arm, her
pale, pink kidded hand clasped lightly
over his sleeve, her trailing skirts of
creamy white and dainty blu III sweeping
regally over the velvet floor. ,
They passed between the blue silken |
curtains that separated the smaller sa-
loon from the conservatory long twi-
lighted apartment, just the very place 9
where Ronald had fancied lie would {
come upon her unawares and with his l
grave, splendid eyes glowing, his heart {
painting, and all the love FOR his be-
-rothed almost at his fingers end, he
went on after them, to pause sharply,
suuucuig, d. II d plStOl hdu bCSh hiCu
behind his ear-petrifed into the mo- '
and silence of a statue by c
,le sound of Madge Ernest's voice $
Madge Ernest's sweet, intense voice c
coming from within a rose-bower not l
yard distant. t
" But I don't love him, Theobald 1
rave been false to every feeling of my {
leart when told him 1 loved him, for
love you. Oh, Theo, Theo don't look
it me so-don't. Give me just one word,
ust one look as you used to do, and /
will To be content when l go to Mr.. Win I
ield. For Gods sake, Theobald, don't I
epulse me . T
And Garland's low, steady tones came v
Ike the clang of steely bell
Miss Ernest, if had word or look {
or you, for my friend Ronald's sake, | /
would rot let itpass my lips or my eyes. Q
lie loves you; he has perfect trust in t
-ou as | had once"