The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-05-11
MABEL MOORE'S STRATAGEM.

MABEL MOORE'S STRATAGEM.
1t was almost ike a bit of Persian
poetry, that little conservatory at Bays
water, in its glow and fragrance, and
soft, delicious murmur of leaves. And
Mabel Moore herself looked not unlil- e
Persian enchantress, as she stood there
leaning one hand on a marble vase,
with the gold of the acacia plumes hard
ly brighter than her hair, and a culver
in the heavy white lids that hid her deep
blue eyes. She was tall, and finely
formed, with very regular features,
cheeks tinged with a faint color, and an
unconscious hauteUr in the poise of her
slender throat and shoulders. Mabel
Moore was born to be an heiress, and
very gracefully she fulfilled the mission
of her sunshiny life.
She was not alone, however, in the
fOwery fragrance of the twilight con-
servatorv. Ernest Beckford was leaning
against the dOor-post, twisting and un-
twisting long spray of jessamine with
a sort of impatient rapidity. He was
tall, manly fellow, with bright auburn
hair, and face that you were involun-
tarily compelled to respect and like.
"Mabel," he said, almost passion
ately, ado you know that you are ask
ing impossbilities?
cam I?n
al can not 90 to Australia without
you"
"You can, Ernest, and you will"
"But, my darling, only think of it-a
years exile from you"
"Will it be any easier for me to en-
dure, Ernest?n she asked calmly.
"Sometimes | fancy, Mabel" he re-
sumed impetuously, "that you don't
care for me, else you would never be so
willing to let me go"
Ernest" .....
"My dearest, know l am unjust;
but"
"Now," said Mabel, " let me under
stand just what you wish me to do in
this matter"
81 want you to marry me the day
after tomorrow, and 90 out TO Austria
liza with me in the ship that sails on
Saturday."
"a very reasonable wish,n said Ma
bel, laughing. "But, Ernest, you
know [ will never marry you while your
mother refuses her sanction and appro-
baton to the match"
"She does not know YOU, Mabel"
"That makes no difference. L shall
never enter a family where | am not
welcomed by every one of its members. "
"But lust consider how unreasonable
you are, my own darling, and how ut
terly and entirely grOundless are my
mothers objections" ...
'She fancieS me n hollow, heartlesS
woman of the world, does she not?
She is unwilling to trust her sons hap
piness in the keeping of acoquette, who
knows nothing beyond Italian songs and
French waltzes?n
"Mabel, | am sorry l ever allowed
YOU to read that unreasonable letter. "
"But / am glad. No, Earnest, have
too much pride and dignity to marry
you unless your mother gives her free
and full consent"
"Then you do not love me, Mabel. "
al do love You, Ernest Beckford, bet
ter than like to acknowledge to my
self"
"Mabel," he urged tenderly, =" let us
cut this Godian knot by the exercise of
our own free viii. Become my wife
give me the right to take you with me
on this long, long journey"
Mabel Moore shook her head.
"Let us wait and see what time may
ring FORTH she said archly. "And
now leave me; remember that the ship
sails on Saturday"
al can't possibly 60 in that vessel, y
aid Ernest; give many things to do
"But if you do not on Saturday you
will be obliged to wait ano.hcr fort
night, and your business is % import
ant over there -n
"Yes, know, but"
"Wen?n
al must get that companion for my
mother-she will be entirely alone. Mrs.
Carter told me she knew some one who
would take the situation, and
shall have to 90 over to Clapham to see
her about it tomorrow"
Don't let that detain you, Ernest.
think | know of a young lady who would
make an excellent companion, and
will send her to Beckfordville.
"Can she read aloud, and has she
patien and forbearance, and will she
be rs me K as Aoses?n
al am sure she will try"
. Send her, then. But, Mabel
"Well?m
alt strikes me You are anxious tC
hurry me Off next Saturday"
Ernest" she said, in a voice that
quivered a little, in spite of all her self
control, "you are misjudging me.
want you to do your duty-tc 90 and
attend to the affairs of your poor uncle
whose reason has deserted him. AnC
more than this, l want you to Learn
life's lesson of patience and endurance
The sunshine viii come at last, if YOU
can only wait unrepiningly."
Little prophecies said Ernest
drawing her fondly towards him, 81
accept your auguries, and I'll bear up
as manfully as human nature will al
allow. No one ought to be discour
aged who is sure of your love. But,
oh, my darling, how often / shall re-
member this sunset, and your sweet
face turned towards minei"
"Do you think l shall ever forget iii
Only wait, Ernest, and all will come
right in Gods own time," she answer
ed, with her hands in his.
And thus they parted.
"Going cut of town, Miss Mabell
and so early this season!"
The pretty lady's-maid stood aghas
in her occupation of putting away fin,
laces in a satin-lined box of veined san
dal wood.
ayes. Get my trunks ready, Nil
dred." - .-,v4r--.
and when dove start, miss ?n-
al shall not take you with me, Mi
dred."
"Not take me, Miss Mabel And VIII
is to arrange your hair and take care o
your dresses?"