American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-10-28

| as agreeable as l lind yours" said the
Colonel, with a renewed assurance.
Another litter from Kate.
"You have seen SO much of life in
many of its phases, that you can be very
entertaining" 1 made shift to answer.
sob! thanks. am glad you think
so. But 1 want you to tell me, does any
one here laugh at me to you, and try to
prejudice you against me?'
grew indignant.
r" What an idea, Colonel Little! Do
you think 1 can not judge for myself,
and form my own opinion of peopleP''
"Of course you can," he said, as il
this gave him courage. 81 consider you
a very superior woman, Miss Alice, l
do really, you know. (Kate quite audi
BILE on the stairs.) have been unfor-
tunate. Circumstances have been
against me. Indeed, may say, have
been the sport of circumstances, the
football of fortune, and people have
found a great deal of fault with me for
things could not control"
The Colonel looked melancholy as he
uttered this, and Kate again sent me a
salute.
"That is often the case with the most
of us, Colonel; but you are still young
enough man to profit by all your mis-
takes and retrieve all you have lost"
81 am glad to hear you say that. It
is just what think about it. shall
labor with new courage after this, for
goa have inspired me. 1 am fortunate
in many things. Will you let me lay
them before you? have as good social
standing as any man in the country. 1
have influential and wealthy friends,
and none others. l have pretty for
tune myself; and I am net without dis
tinction as an officer in the regular
army. But you know all this, Miss
Allen. Imerely wished to remind you
that I possess claims to your considers
lion and respect, as well as disadvan-
tages that arouse your pity"
'Certainly, Colonel Little" Ireplied
very kindly. 81 appreciate all that"
Kate grew quite demonstrative.
"What is that noise P" the Colonel
asked, alarmed and confused. "Did
not some one laughp Walls have
ears, Miss Allen. Did you not hear
some oner"
"The bay-window is open, 1 answer
ed, sand the voices of persons passing
can be easily heard in here"
He looked but half convinced.
81 had something else to say to you,"
he said, "but will defer it. Will you
go to the Hippodrome with me this
evening? 1 assure you the very best
people go, or 1 would not ask you.''
sob! will go with pleasure, - an
swered, and the Colonel almost jumped
from the sofa, as well defined laugh
from Kate fioated above our heads.
81 reckon had better CO." he said
in an embarrassed way. 81 will not
stay too long or will be laughed at.
will call for you at z, Miss Allen.
Good morning." and he bowed himself
out of the room.
alt was the Hippodrome, Kate" 1
said maliciously. as 1 stumbled over her
on the stairs.
Yes, but he means more than Hip
podrome. That's just an excuse. He
will propose tonight. o my cousin
Alice! how s0iU you stand it?'
ale shall not propose, Kate, if 1 can
prevent him. But 1 do want to go to
the Hippodrome, and with Colonel Lit
tie, too" said, giving scornful little
laugh.
Kate stared at me and was immedi-
ately interested.
"Why?" she asked sententiously.
81 want Mr.. Archie Ludlow to see
me-" 1 answered. "He is going to
take Blanche Courtier tonight, and he
was so ridiculous the other night as to
laugh at poor Colonel Little, and then
grow absurdly jealous because de-
Tended him. 1 want to teach him les
son."
eTake care," Kate said; "Blanche
Courtier is an heiress, and you are ret
To be sure MI. Ludlow is immensely
wealthy, but no one is Indifferent to add
ing more to their possessions and es-
tates."
Nonsense!" I muttered, turning
away toward my own room.
went to the Hippodrome with COZ
onel Little, and he behaved very we'll,
talking very little during the perform
ance. He alarmed me by the length
and immensely of his signs, now and
then, but hoped by the time we start
ed home he would have disposed in this
way of all his detection and sadness. 1
was in error.
It was lovely moonlight night, and
after walking some distance 1 remarked
on its beauty.
No response was vouchsafed my ex-
clamation, and silence reigned a little
longer.
az feel dreadfully!" the Colonel ex-
claimed, at last, in a voice most dra-
matte and hollow. thought perhaps
he was sick.
81 am sorry" ventured to answer.
"No, you aren't" he said savagely;
/" you don't care cent?"
"Very WE'LL"
Silence again.
"I do feel dreadfully!" was walled
forth again. made no reply.
"Have you nothing to say?" he ask
ed, reproachfully.
"It is most beautiful night" I
replied. was exasperated with the
Colonel and with myself. With him
for his inter idiocv. and with rnvsef