The daily gazette., 1876-03-02
ONLY A HEART.
BY LETTA ReYDEN.

Ihc last speaker StretCheu nlmSelI
lazily on the sward, and tossed his ci-
gar down the path with the utmost
ennut. He was man of the world ap-
parently; strong. bold and we'll knit
one made for the rougher, sterner
realities Of life; he might defy the
mightiest men and woo the loveliest
women. In his lazy, cool Indifference
he was study.
There were three of them living at
"Rouscourt," keeping bachelors hall.
The elite courted them, for the three
distingue looking fellows could render
themselves very attractive, socially
Occasionally they visited; that is, Mr..
Tilden and Mr.. Allison called on the
ladies; Mr.. Neville was always too in
dolent for society.
And now the whole country was
teeming with the news of a fete to be
given at the "Bower."
mo, Tilden, l won't go, for hate
to be bored, and to be with half q
dozen women a day-I should die"
"NOnseuse, Melville; you needn't
meet any one that you don't care to-
1t is the loveliest place in the State,
with the cutest hooks and glens, and
\ alcoves, where you can see all the beau
monde and not be seen. Do 60, for
Allison won't hear of going. | don't
want to be the only representative OF
| Rouscourt.
the cliffs looking down on the bcauti-
full scene below. The tiny brook ran
merrily, with an incessant babble at
his feet, while beyond the lawn was
filled with gay and laughing groups OF
girls and boys. Ladies and gentlemen
were sauntering idly along, playing
croquet, flirting lazily, or getting
heated and tired, dancing to the full
delicious strains of an elegant band
lie only, of all the world, seemed
dreary and stern. Was that life? Was
il really the world OF pleasures he was
stunning? Who down in that little
vrlley of life and buoyancy missed
him? None-no, not one. A curl of
the lip followed these reflections.
"This way, Mr.. Tildcn; | know the
hooks around these cliffs. Come, let
us explore this tangled chaos of ferns.
The speaker leapcd from rock to
rock, graceful as fawn in every
movement, trusting as child, yet be-
witchiDg as an houri in her self-im-
posed guidance. On, down she sprang,
until she stood in front of Neville, ,and
then only little musical cry of sur
prise. n sparkling glance from the
sorccress eyes, and she flashed by like a
sunshine.
A half hour afterward Tilden had
left her in an arbOr surrounded with
flowers.
"Do you think her pretty, Ncville?"
asked Tilden, ss they drove home,
mo, only grand"
"Ah," thought his companion, che
likes her little-perhaps much; we
will wait and see the end"
Thus weeks glided away until the
Autumn with its crushed leaves and
signing Winds, brought the pleasure
seekers from the springs and made
them seek comfort in more rustic
amusements.
"Neville, what are you going to dos
| You don't mean to say YOU are on a
visiting tour for the last three days?
| You have been dressing and riding
what on earth is it?"
| "SacristH can't man dress?"
"He would be forlorn object de.
prived of that privilege. Are you Off?
| Au re00S7'."
They were standing together, she
with her soft, round arms, white, per-
feet shoulders, made exquisite by the
softcning shadows of a young, cloud
less moon, looking up'with that Scr
Gerry so alluringly fatal, smiling the
1question:
"Do [ not love you?"
INV God. if you did not love me l
should die. There is no paradise
but your smile; ne heaven but your
eyes"
1t was only strong, passionate man
or Ished by woman's arts; yet there
she leaned with her arms and exqui-
site form resting like petted child on
him.
She was passionately exacting, and
he was cruelty Jealous, because he had
staked his life here and his life here
after on women's word; and she was
only adding another triumph to her
list in heartless cequetry. He had
followed her to Saratoga, coaxed and
entrusted her to return to her beautiful
country home, where he might spend
hours with her in delicious enchant-
ment. 1t scarcely lasted a season, for
lTildep, the man of fashion and soft
fiattery, with his worldly knowledge
of wOmen's weakness; his handsome
face and thorough Independence; his
} calm defiance of society's rules; his
staunch Indifference to wooings anc
soft nothings. discovered Lell's trying
place, and every week found him rid
| ing, yachting or making her "submi
to training"-somethipg she had neve
known before.