The daily gazette., 1877-04-02
Percy's Indian Summer.
BY CLIFFORD.

Allen, because you are my betrothed hus-
band. l will choose my friends without
interference of yours"
Ethel Verhe's beautiful face was MARI
ed by ire.
"You wrong me, Ethel. 1 do not seek
to exercise undue control over you.
have merely expressed wish that you
would not associate with Guy Fairfax on
terms of social intimacy, He does not
bear an irreproachable name. and 1
do not like to have yours mixed up with
his"
"Be is the pet of the circle in which we
move-why then so fastidious in regard
to him?"
.!Wealth and an agreeable person blind
us to vice; but his places of resort are ta-
booed by virtuous people,"
"You are preJudiced and jealous, ALLEN
He has invited me to attend the opera
with him, and 1 mean to CO."
"You shall not, Ethel"
"Shall not! nay then will" And her
slippered foot came down with an en-
phatic stamp. sHow dare you employ
such language toward me? l thought you
did not seek to control my actions! am
not to be treated like child, to crafty a
whim of yours"
"Hush, Ethelr'
~ will not, Know, Allen Percy, that
L will 60 with whom list; and you shall
not prevent me. There must be no chains
for me, now or ever. I'd break them
with as much ease and satisfaction as I
tear this" and her delicately embroider-
ed and perfumed handkerchief lay in
shreds upon the carpet.
He grew pale and stern.
"You are heated, and do not consider
what you say"
81 am in deadly earnest. No man shall
be my master"
"My wishes weigh nothing with you,
then?"
"Not when you would make fetters OF
| them"
"pll talk with you again when you are
calmer."
81 insist upon learning all you may have
to say now"
He sat down.
81 have loved you as fondly and faith
fully, as man ever loved woman-do you
believe this, Ethel ?" She tossed her
head impatiently. "My dearest earthly
hopes have centered in you. Imagination
has presented quiet home of which you
were the chief attraction chew have
gloated over the charming picture) ; but
your outbreak tonight convinces me we
shall make bat sorry companions. How
ever painful it may be, it is best to be
plain, it is best to be plain-it is best to
understand each other. have no objec-
ton to an ordinary temper, but"
Enough, sir. The best thing can do
is to restore you your freedom. Itrample
upon my bonds" slipping her engage
ment ring from her finger and crushing
| it under foot.
His pallor and sternness increased.
"Be it So"
ave are strangers henceforth, Mr..
Percy"
He bowed and passed from her pre-
sence. And so the summer of a young
heart died out. His dream of love had
vanished. The storm rudely swept away
the buds of hope and joy that had swung
/ up along his path. The tendrills ofa rich
capable nature which had reached forth
so gladly to twine around some object
were torn up and thrust back upon itself.
There was demoniac cruelty in. it; but
~ W - DsttCf bu6t bhC tliat hau CoinC INV
than to have waited till the marriage tie
had shown him what a fostering canker
an ill-assorted union breeds. He was
not one to sink under trouble. He gath
cred his forces about him, and plunged
into the whirl and excitement of mercan-
tile speculation. He crowded his wax
! ing hours with business, the kindly Leth-
can wave for aching hearts. He eschew-
ed female society. His landlady and
washwoman were the only members Of
the sex with whom he had any personal
intercourse. All others were so many
dress-makers' blocks for the exhibition of
elegant and fashionable toilets. He but
toned his coat against them with the air
of one erecting a rampant. The years as
they passed, wore channels in his cheeks
and brow, wove threads of silver among
his dark locks, and gave him that peculi-
ary, hard appearance common to success
full old bachelor financiers.
At forty five he was immensely veal
thy; but his unfagging industry had
strained his nervous system to its utmost
tension, and the consequence was, he
was obliged to retire from the CONNER