Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-19
Y. WHITMORE.
Publisher and Proprietor.
SHE CHANGED HER MIND.

A Romantic rRlo Of the Seaside.
New York SUM-
There is, perhaps, more truth
than poetry in the old saying that
+" A woman don't know her own
mind half the time" But in these
days of Atlantic cables, electric tel
egraphs, Keely motors and eliptical
skirts, we live so fast that young
woman must step lively if she
wishes to keep up with the times.
Two years ago a very pleasant
party was assembled at a charming
cottage on the Northport Cliffs. 1t
was early in June, before the great
rush, when cottage life is much
more enjoyable than at the hight
of the season. The lady of the
house had invited four young girls,
all lovely, two Of whom had been
out for three winters, and were
pretty we'll versed in the little mys-
teries of New York fashionable
life. TO meet these charming crea-
lures, four gentlemen had been bid
den to the cottage. Three of these
were among the best parts in town,
being of good family and handsome
fortune. The fourth, Harry Bar.
ton, a young lawyer just commenc-
ing his career, was one of the great
est beaux in society, and one Of the
most popular at the clubs; but he
was poor-his fortune was yet to be
made. He had been invited to the
cottage partly because Of his wit,
cleyerness and social talents, and
partly because of his well-knowr
admiration of Miss Clifton, tc
whom he had devoted himself evei
since he first made her acquain.
tance in society some three years
before. Barton was desperately in
love, and had made up mis- mind tt
marry Miss Clifton. if she would
have him. So far he had no
asked her to become his wife
he hesitated on account o.
his slender means, but O
late his business prospects haC
frightened, and he determined t.
make the fatal plunge before leav
ing Newport. Miss Clifton was
as the phrase goes, very fond o.
Barton. but she had been educated
in the school of modern fashionable
life, and looked upon marriage a.
the stepping-stone to an establish
ment Of her own-house in town
villa at Newport, box at the opera
well-appointed equipages, expensive
toilets, etc. This she knew wa
utterly out of the question will
Barton-it was a great pity, for shl
really liked him and took more
pleasure in his society than that o
any other man. Meantime one o
the eligible men at the cottage, whC
was in position to furnish tht
requisite establishment with all it
attendant luxuries, paid marked
attention to Miss Clifton, drove he
out, talked to her in the quiet nook
on the piazza, danced with her il
the evenings-7in a word, it looked
very much as if he meant business
and his attentions were general,
conceded to be of healthy char
acter.p All this nearly set BaFtOl
crazy, though in appearance he wa
perfectly impossible. He determine,
then and there to push things an,
decide his fate. He found his OF
portHniY in q Sunday afternoon
walk along the cliffs, The mex
day the party was to break up ana
scatter in different directions; wit
him 1t was now or never, On hi
way home he told his love in a fo'
simple, manly, straightforward
words Miss Clifton trusted the
would always be friends; she had
very sincere, a very great regar
for him, but could not marry hin
He was cut to the heart, but az
cepted the position, and continue
Ito be on friendly terms with tn
Oliltons, where he was invite
more or less during the ensuin
winter. The eligible parts nevt
came to time, no other desiFabl
PARTS came forward, and Miss eli
ton remained single. Meanwhi
Barton's business had greatly in