The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-28
NOT PROVEN.
CHAPTER 1.

tn at disclosed III the OLD rectOfy SaTuel
on that bright winter morning. Tiptoe,
her arms raised to branch of growing
holly, her glossy hair falling from her
fair face over her seal skin jacket, and
her violet eyes sparkling, was May Wes-
leigh, the Rector's daughter, while with
in few feet Of her, watching her effort
with much amusement and vast amount
Of admiration, stood Thomas Midway, u
handsome young muscular Christian. at
tired in a tweed suit and felt hat. Sud
denly the latter burst forth;
IL is the Rector's daughter,
nj she has grown SO dear, so dear,
That | would he the jewel
That tt, mbled in her ear.
Don't be absurd, Tom," interrupted
the lady. "You are a gallant gentleman,
truly, to see female in distress and not
aid her"
"Have not offered six times at least,
May, and been refused?"
''And will be again, sir. This is the
most lovely piece of holly 1 have seen
this season, and | am determined that no
fingers than mine shall touch it until
give it to my dear Jack when he comes
this evening. They don't grow holly in
India, do they, Tom 2"
''No, | think not"
Then it will be welcome offering to
an English heart. Oh, how glad, how
very glad, | shall be to see the dear old
fellow"
off you speak so enthusiastically, May,
pom my word | shall be Jealous" remark
ed the gentleman.
'Jealous-you And Jack? Nonsense.
Why, Tom, 1 love him like a brother.
We were brought up, you know, as chill
dren together"
$50 he told me, May, when we met in
India, and he gave me the letter of intro
duction to the Rector. Indeed" pro-
ceeded Thomas Mildmay, still inspecting
the gathering of the holly, which persis-
tentGy chung to its parent stem, ''he spoke
so necessarily about you that | fancled-"
"Pray what, sir?"
THAT there existed deeper affection
than brothers or sisters, May"
(Which shows how you were deceived.
Talk of woman jumping at hasty conclu-
sions Men are thousand times worse.
There, after all you must lend NE your
knife, Tom; the branch will not break, it
is SO tough"
Thomas Mildmay produced it, again
offering his services, which, notwithstand
ing the obstinacy of the holly, were again
rejected.
"Cut upward, not downward, May,
he cried, suddenly stepping forward; "the
knife is sharp"
The warning came too late; the keen
blade has flashed through the tough
fbres, and penetrated Mays white, slend-
er finger.
1t was not a very serious cut, but suffi-
cient so to cause the blood to leap forth.
The cry she uttered was echoed by her
companion, whose arm quickly encircled
here dainty waist as he eaug4t her hand
in his.
90, dearest !" he exclaimed In concern,
"why did you not permit me?"
Because, answered May, little pale
II said no one should touch the branch
but myself, Tom, and no one shall. But
see = and she held the holly towards him
There is blood upon it, and it is bad
omen"
He glanced at the Dough, and truly,
fallen GA il, as bright as the berries them
selves, were the crimson drops.
"Bad omen, May !" he laughed, wrap
ping her wounded finger in his handker
chief. f'What chiIdishness Why, you
are absolutely pale. Pom my word, yGul
concern for Jack. Is already making me
jealous"
Didn't let it do that, Tom," she said,
/ bravely.
"Why not?" he smiled.
Because, Tom, you are, believe, the
best tempered man l ever knew, but
| Butt he questioned, fondly regarding
her.
81 am sure you love me SO truly that
were you jealous of any one, imagine
that you would not be answerable fol
your actions"
He caught her in his arms and pressed
kiss on her smooth cheek
My darling, you are right" he replied
gravely, in his turn. eff | thought
should lose you, or another was seeking
to win you from me, think should xii
him or myself"
"Now you are talking pure nonsense
Tom, dear. Let US go in" she laughed
and, taking his arm, they moved over tb
crisp, frosty lawn to the quaint old recto
ry, very Jack in the green of ivy which
encircled its highest gables. But, ever
during the embrace, May had kept tn
holly branch from coming in contact Will
Tom Mildmay, and did so still. Wa
this an omen too?