The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-08-10
Edward Byron's opportunIty

her large wlstful eyes trembling with
radiant light, like yelled saphires,
and her velvet cheek stained with
pOmegranate crimson-an empress
OF hearts from the cradle up. And
sitting in the framework of roses
that trailed athwart the easement,
with white ribbons futtering from
her muslin dress, you would almost
have pictured her some fancied saint.
Edward Byron was leaning against
the Window tall handsome young
man with dark eyes and hair and
brown cheek flushed deeply with
suppressed anger and modification.
Yes. Mr.. Byron, it is" said Jes-
sic calmly, lifting her clear eyes to
his face. you have asked me for
my reasons, and although 1 question
your right TO make such a demand,
still 1 have no objection to give
them"
Speak on, said Edward furious
ly biting his lip, ''let me know why
l am condemned"
They are soon spoken, said Jes-
sic quietly, Il have liked you very
much, Mr.. Byron still like you
| but in the man whom / marry l look
for greater ffrmness and decision of
purpose than you have ever dis
| played resolve, these
are only qualities that l can respect.
Do not misunderstood me-do not
ksuppose that l blame you for the
lack of qualification which
which-'
Jessie paused instinctively, while
the pomegranate tinge on her check
! blazed the vivid scarlet in sympathy
with the deep flush that dyed her
lover's whole face. He bowed sim
ply and walked out of the room with
a firm, naughty step.
Late in the evening he sat at his
window in New York, with clenched
teeth and lowering brow, watching
| the fiery ambers of sunset into sim
pie gloom, and noting the silver
| feet of innumerable consultations
as they follow one another over the
| blue black concave OF heaven. But
the glow of the sun and stars might
have been Egyptian darkness for all
that he knew ana cared about their
gentle influence.
Life" he murmured darkly to
himself, what is it worth to me now?
What care | who wins the glitter
ing prizes IN Fate's lottery, or who
is engulfed in the whirlpool of
dispair? To be rejected, and for a
mere .whim too! If I could only
forget her as quickly as she will for
get me-the tickle, beautiful en-
chantress p
= = -
"Hallo, Byron, Pm going up to
call on Jessie Vernon. Will you
come, tooP
Captain Marshall has paused un-
der the window and his brown mer-
ry face turned upward, and the dim
gas-lamp fickering over his gold
shoulderstraps.
Byron sshook his head, saying
Not this evening
And Marshal went on his way.
the fire of his cigar cleaning
through the darkness.
There he goes" muttered the
misanthrope, with his gilt buttons
and military air and graces! And
Is 1t for such as he that Jessie
Sthrows sway my love:"
$50 you've enlisted, Edward? p
said old Mr.. Vernon, deliberately
polishing the glasses of his specta-
cells well, it's what I'd do myself
if l was forty years younger. Are
you not coming in to say to Jessie
/ goodbye? Haven't time? Well
| do decareY'
Mr.. Vernon gazed in astonish-
ment after Edward, who had been
the most constant companion of his
Jessie for the last three years, ano
on whom he would willingly have
bestowed her hand.
i wonder what Jessie will sayp
was his unspoken comment.
But Jessie said nothing, while day
by day the old wound rankled anC
grew sorer in Edward Byron's heart
.Will he live, Doctor2"
Live? Why shouldn't he? Al
, he needs is a little care, and sc,
, he is likely to get that! Now, don
blush, my dear, he's not the frs
wounded soldier in my ward tina
has had q pretty girl come to nurs
, him, and l like them the better 70
I it? Give him the draught when h
o wakes, and keep the bandage on hi
forehead. He'll probably carry a
ugly scar.to his grave, but then tha
will be the worst Of it.
The good old man trOtted away Z
the next case, while Jessie, kneelin
. down by the bed, cried tears of in
;, tense thankfulness that Edward BY
ron would not die. "Jessiel / al
= not dreaming-surely-yet it wa
=, but moment ago that we made tn
: cavalry charge on-fxed bayonetsl
His large unnaturally brillian
= eyes wandered vaguely around tn
] room, then returned to the tende
n face bending over him.
1T was three days since, Edward
You are living in the barrack nov
wounded-and / have come fToI
VI aSOnFlilS 10 nurse your
J. "You, JessieF
n Yes, Edward, / ~
! why did you Gomez he aske
. gloomily.
s Because ] love you, Edward,
IS she murmured, the bright crimso
I, suffusing her whole face.
b a strange light Of rapture fiashe
into Edwards eyes-his pulse leaI
ed within the fevered vein.
, Love me, Jessie yet it is not
# month since you refused me-"
dearest, because 1 fancied 20
e weak, vaciIiating. In the fer
I smoke of the battle field you haN
X proved yourself worthy Of the Ter
10 derest love-you have written yOU
:, name, Hero, on the rolls Of our com
try. Edward. because ! refuse
ie you once, you viii not reject 4
le nowy"
v Reject you, my hearts queer
,e Oh, Jessie how can / be sure thi