The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-04-30
A WOMkN'S STRATAGEM.

A WUWAN , SI nAiA
uov Pretty Mabel Moore Took In Old
MRS. Beckrord.
II was almost like bit OF Persian
noetry. that little conservatory ut Bays
water. In its glow and fragrance, and
soft delicious murmur OF leaves. And
Mabel Moore herself looked not unlike
a Persian cnchantress, as she stood
there leaning ono hand on marble
vase. with the gold ofthc acacia plumes
hardly brighter than her hair. and u
nuiyer In the heavy white lids that hid
j her deep blue eyes. She was tall, and
finely formed, with very regular fea-
i tures. checks tnged with II faint color.
4 md an unconscious hd,tetT in the poise
az her slender throat and shoulders
Mabel Moore was born to be an heiress,
and very gracefully she tulniieo the
mission Of her sunshiny life.
She was not alone, however. in the
aowery fragrance of the twilight con
scryatory. Ernest Beckford was lean.
ing against the door post, twisting and
untwiating long spray or Jessamine
with n sort OF impatient rapidity. lie
was q tall. manly fellow, with bright
auburn hair. and face that you We're
involuntarily compelled to respect and
like.
Mabel" he said, almost passionate
i y, edo you know that you are asking
mpoasihiliti,s r"
Am Ip"
II cannot go to Australia without
yoa"
"You can. Earnest, and You will.
But, my darling, only think 81 It 2
years exile from YOU.
"Wil 1t be any easier for me to en-
4 ,lure. Ernest ?" she asked calmly.
"Sometimcs / fancy, Mabel. he re-
/ sumed impetuously, that you don't
care for me. else you would never be SO
willing TO let me so.
j Ernest
MY dearest, | know | am unjust
u but"
4 Nov" said Mabel, set me under
stand just what you wish mo to DO IN
this matter.
~ want YOU to marry me the day af-
tor to-mo. .ow. and 90 out 70 Australia
with me In the ship that sails on Satur-
day" ,,,,,r.,.,
lnurhinp but, Ernest, YOU know |
will never airy you while your mother
refuses her '.'tion and appreciation to
the match. -,
"She doe now you, Mabel =,
.That M , difference. | shall
never cnte, =. where l am not
Welcomed | bne of its mem
bers'
"But lust der how unreasonable
YOU are, my i darling, and how nt-
terly and entirely groundless are my
mothers objr tions."
"She fancies me u hollow, heartless
woman OF thu world, does she not2 She
Is unwilling u trust her sons happiness
In the keepinu OF "A coquette, who knows
nothing beyond Italian songs ana
II French walt
II mabel. 4 aea sorry / ever allowed
n Won to read tlat unreasonable letter
i But am ulad. No. Ernest, have
too much PRIDE and dignity TO marry
you unless ~ mothec gives her tree
and full con ilt
"I do love ~. Ernest Beck ford, bet
ter than Ii 60 acknowledge To my
self
Mabel" a tenderly, 'let us
cut this Gord,xa kusi by the exercise OF
cur own free will. Become my wife
give me the rfAst to take you with me
On this long, long journey"
Mabel Moore shook her head.
.Iet us wait and see what time may
bring FORTH" she said archly. -, And A. ID
now leave me, remember that the ship
sails on Saturday"
II can't ,ueabiy go in that vessel, ',
Il said Ernest ;'''lve many things to do. "
But il YOU do not on Saturday you
l will be obliged 10 wait another Tort
night, and your br sinets is 50 important
over there -"
i ..Yes, | know, bu'
II must get that companion for my
nother-she will be entirely alone. MRS.
Carter told me she knew some one who
would take the situation, and l shall
have to go over to Clapham to see her
about it tomorrow.
"Don't let that detain you, Ernest. !
think l know of a young lady VINO
would make an excellent companion,
and will send her to Beckfordville. /"
"Can She read aloud. and has she pa
tience and forbearance, and will she be
as meek as Moses?"
Tam sure she will try"
Send her then. But, Mabel
"Well ?'
1T strikes me You are ANXIOUS TO
s. hurry me off next Saturday.!
D. Ernest she said, in voice that
y quiyered little, in spite OF all her SELF
control, you are misjudging me, l
want You TO do your duty-to so and at
tend to the affairs of your poor uncle,
whose reason has deserted him. ana
more than this. want you to learn lies
lesson OF pa ienee and endurance. The
sunshine will come at last, II you can
only wait unrepiningly."
n drawing her fond SNSowards him, Il
{ accept your auguries, and I'll bear up as
Danfully as human nature will allow
4 No one ought to be discouraged who is
y me Of po,u love- But. oh, my darling,
NV often shall remember this sunset,
,ur sweet face turned towards
1hsi"