Smyrna times., 1876-12-13

was disposed to take serious exceptions to |
the idea of sod waving over asepulchre, or
indeed waving at all!
Still was in hope that Idelia would leave |
the party and stroll off alone, thus giving
me an opportunity TO talk to her. Accord
ingly waited at a short distance without re.
vealing my proxity, and heard the conver.
sation continued still at my expense.
| noticed that the wife of Endicotts
friend seemed much affected by Idelia's re-
marks, and had frequent recourse to her
pocket-handkerchief, in which she hid her
face, but whether to conceal tears or smiles
| cannot judge, until saw her turn her
face from ldelia toward me, and the clear
moolight revealed unmistallably mirthful
expression, convincing me that Jessie and
Grey had contrived to make her and her
husband also accessory to the plot.
Directly Miss Vaughn exhibited ring to
the others-a handsome diamond. with
rubies, which is an heirloom in my family.
and was given me by my father. This
jewel had permitted Idelia to wear, as she
admiredit, but would as soon have thouob,
OF selling my birthright as of giving that
ring away permanently to any man, woman
or child, except my eldest son-when l
have one.
Judge, therefore, of my sentiments, when
saw Miss Idelia hold up her finger, and
heard her say:
He gave me this ring as a pledge of his
love and babe me wear it for his sake. 1t
will be but just punishment for him if |
keep it. | certainly shall 1t shall never
leave my finger again"
"Ihe ID it WON'T" thought |, and as
perceived the smile of satisfaction with
which she regarded the glitter of the dia-
mond, in the noonshine, felt my love for
her oozing out, like Bob Acres's courage, at
a fearful rapid rate.
The opportunity did not come for me to
explain matters to her, and, in truth, |
began to be rather glad it didn't. retired
that night without having spoken to her,
and she did not haunt my visions.
The next day the plot thickened. Jessie
: received several letters from Milestone
, Centre, directed to her as my wife and to
my care. Endicott and his friends scrupu.
lously called her by my name, and, worse
than all, Idelia began to take a romantic
: fancy to. her. She condoled with her on
: having such faithless husband, and poured
all her own poetic griefs into the little
: humbug's bosom-a flood Of second.han
Westerian sorrows, which moved Jessie
1 to tears-of laughter.
3 Thus matters stood until the fourth dav
t when we were to return. In the morning
: | got an opportunity to speak to Ideia
0 about 1t, and we had jolly time of it.
. She would not listen to any explanation
J. whatever, but abused me like apickpocket
y have been scolded by number of young
y ladies. In fact, | rather like it generally
ana as Tor my cousin Jessie it was as gooC
r as a supper to hear her vituperations. Bu
Y Miss Vaughn was one too many fol
# me. She whined and growled alternately
v She called me highfalutin names. Sh,
@ turned blue, yellow, and other unpleasan
/. colors. She squealed, and hissed, and mad
r herself an object of wonderment, but hardl
OF admiration, to quite crowd that collect
e ed about us-tor it was in an empty parlo
r ''i"t she nrst pitched into me. "Virago
e was written in every line of her counte
d nance and rang in every modulation of he
voice When she had finished she strod
% out OF the room, leaving me in a condition
i. OF severe mental prostration.
,e My previous affection for her. howeve,
lie had entirely evaporated and recognized tn
s. truthtulness of my cousin Jessie's desert,
n ton of her.
at On the boatreturning that afternoon Mi:
lg Vaughn avoided me studiously, as in fact,
tn did her. Jessie and Grey were together o
Ill the deck during the whole passage, and
amused myself by smoking cigars forwar
ne from the time of leaving the Tide.mi
ny House pier to the time of landing at Mil
# stone.
ly never saw Miss Idelia Vaughn again.
On never wanted to. would like to have %
m. my ring back, but fear my eldest ma
lf heir will not wear the jewel of his ance
tors
p, President Grant has been telling Senate
~ Gordon this story, which is not the wor.
,e for having been told before: "When ii