The Van Buren press., 1876-10-03


umph, with the temple Of their false gods.
The mut he should have gone out
side aud pushed said prosalc Frank.
When he opened the door oi his room
ne found that the lamp was allght This
was unusual, for he always had lit 1t him
self There were French windows on
two sides Of this chamber opening into
the gallery Two faced him as he enter
ed, the other pair were hidden by the bed
and its mosquito bar They were all
wide open for he loved fresh air, and
laughed colds to seorn. 1t was almost
as light as day. The full moon filed the
verandah with its soft, silycry beams, and
the dark evergrcens below were ablaze
with fire fies, A night which tempts one
To do anything but go to bed. Frank
took Off his coat and boots, made him-
sefr uomfortsi'ie ia che roohfng -ef'~is, eii
ed blg pipe with periqne, a'd thought
he would read little, rs hs had passed
All idle day As he rose 10 get bis book,
he heard a gentle tap at Tue Venetian
blinds outside. Flying moths, biander-
ing after u light, AS is their wont, max,
such noises, so he did not notice it. Ar
ter moment or two it was repeated
louder. aud woman 5 voice said, May
| come in =
Now by this time he had forgotten all
about the visit he might possibl, receive,
but WAS not surprised when a lads walk
ed in without waiting for an answer. 1t
does not take long to say May | come
in = yet as she spoke those few words
the whole of his conversation with An
ME, on the day before yesterday, came
back to his mind
You are surprised at this invasion 2
asked his visitor. She was apparently
about thirty years of age tall. slight, and
elegantly dressed. A ace-edged hand
throat. and III her hand she carried a com
mon palmetto fan. She spoke in that
sub tone Of assertion which n well-bred
woman of bel aye has generally acquired
without knowing how, and shoddy folk
labor after In vain all their lives, Grant
that stranger could adopt this mode ot
presenting hersclt--and had not Annie
told him that she might land nothing
could he more natural.
Frank replied that he was not II bit sur
prsed, aud advanced his best chair
which she declined.
No, thinks, she said, leaning one
hand against the side Of the window space
and tanning herself; won come in any
farther Do sit down aud listen to " hat
| have to say. l won't keep you long.
Oh YOU NAV smoke. don't mind that
in the least; but insist! will not say a
word Till you have made fonr good putfs.
That is right One--two--three--fe
now for it,
Frank bcgsn to feel that he must have
known this lady for several years; so
completely did she put him at ease.
Don't you think, she continued, that
when man is engaged to be married it
is high time to leave Of playing like a
boy?'
Certainly 1t is.
That's right All the running, and
rowing, and jumping is well enough ia its
way 1t makes boys men. but it makes
men just little bit course--at least, that
is my view
May ask if Annie shares that opin.
ion Z
Let us leave her out Of this discussion.
She knows nothing about it,
And yet she prepared me for this
pleasure said Frank dryly.
Never mind. ! repeat; she knows
nothing about my present object. II she
did, am afraid she would not much as
sist me, for she is proud Of her great
athlete. ain old enough to be her moth
er, aud with a bright smile aru not In
love with you, SO | can talk sense Now
really, what is there worth winning that
you have not already won? Why IRISH
defeat:
/ AIN not afraid Of that
The confidence of the man! Well
III put il in another way. Why not Civ,
some one else chance? Do you think
it is fair to monopolize all the glory and
silver cupsY You greedy gianty'
This shot went home. Frank despiscd
pot huntefs.' Was he pot hunter him.
seifl
There, i see you are coming round,
his visitor resumed, pursuing her adyant
age. Promise me that you will stick to
your books like n good boy, take splen
did degree. and give up rowing aud al
thai sort Of thing, once and for ever
Would it be indiscreet to inquir,
whom | have been So fortunate as to in
splre with such deep interest in my af
! fairs Y
.Ahi do not be sarcastic. You can
not tell how it pains me- she said lie
looked up, and felt power OF tender
said pleading which quite subdued his i'm
pulse to resent her interference. hav'
no right | know she continued, to ash
this promise for myself am nothing te
YOU, but love Annie, oh! how fondly
| | plead for her. and this | say solemnly
| Frank Conro,--if your affection be a
deep AS she deserves it should be, yot
will not hesitate Man, man what i!
success in game that you should prefe
it to the happiness of the woman yo,
| loveY'
| You seem in earnest
| Il am IN earnest
| We'll, Ill talk it over with her
| Think it over by yourself first sal,
his visitor after pause, during which sh,
seemed to be struggling with somethiu.
she wished TO add, and dared not Aul
! il you cannot rcsolve--as | pray yei
may-then you can tell her wha, has pass
| ed tonight Good bye God bless anC
guide you She kissed her hand to him
and passed out into the bright moonlight