The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-02-28

/ II L WC1o TO seek my phISuGS, luSt6du o.
( my fortune, as young heroes do in story
books, l should find both. / have reason
| to believe that they are wealthy and in
| fuential. But you are cold, dear, and
your hair is damp with dew. 1 will not
be SO selfish as to keep you here longer. "
But, Justin, you viii write to me
often ?"
tI will not promise. Perhaps it will
from me once a year, until / see you
again. Now, goodbye, and Ged bless
you'll"
He kissed her twice in q passionate,
earnest way, and then, releasing her,
turned and quickly walked down the
road She watched his fine figure, with
its well-poised head and springing-step,
until it was out OF sight. Then she
walked slowly up the winding, grassy
path, to the door. On the threshold she
paused, and looked back at the place
where they had been standing.
a told him that he was my first love
and that he would be my last" she muir
INJURED to herself. hope he viii re-
member it. How very strange it all
seems. / wonder if the time will come
when 1 shall regret what has passed this
evening? hope not? ?--I am sure not" !"
So saying, she went in softly, and
silently closed the door.
What beautiful grill"
And what an elegant rider !"
Virginia Thornton heard the words
distinctly, and glancing carelessly around
from her seat in the saddle, met the ar
dent looks of admiration with which they
were accompanied. But not a tinge of
color stained the fairness of her cheeks.
The cool self-possessed expression of her
eyesSdid not alter. The red, mobile lips
exhibiting at that moment only pride
and beauty, betrayed nothing more.
Proud as Lucifer
She heard that, too. Still her face
did not change. Her dark eyes merely
glanced up and then down again. She
rode out of the city with her companions,
and, when among the green country
roads, gallopcd off by herself. She knew
the act would be noticed, perhaps criti-
cised, but she did not care. She was
weary of the sound of gay laughter and
the rattle of tongues. She followed her
own inclination and escaped from them.
Guiding her horse upon the fresh,
springy turf, she made him strike into
an easy, even canLer, and soon the rich
bloom broke through the cleaning tair>
ness of her cheeks. The weary, indif-
ferent look faded out of her face-and
she looked glad and happy as delighted
child.
This is capital" she said aloud after
a while.
g Are you tired, Vic? Well, take me
to the other side of that old fence, aud
then you may rest. One, two, three "
" Well done, Miss Thornton! The
| rrall hox-a Oft tod
to shake off one of his ears"
She drew her painting, excited steed
| in sharply, and turned in the direction
of the voice. At sight of a gentleman
sitting on a low stone wall with a riding
stick in his hand, she uttered a quick
exclamation of surprise.
" Mr.. Annesleyl l thought you re.
fused to join us to-day ?"
"And 30 1 did, and so 1 persist in do
| ing. | wish to ride only with Miss Vir
| ginia Thornton, and await her permission
| to do So"
At a motion of his hand, his horse
which was grazsng at little distance
came sand stood passively beside him
With his hand grasping the reins, he
awaited. The face he looked into was
not like the one he might have seen
! framed in the waves of that rich, fair
hair, an hour before. The mouth was
tremulOus and tender; the beautiful eyes
barren of their coldness-perhaps the
warmth of his smiles had banished it, as
sunshine dissolves ice.
" Your presumption is remarkable"
she said 'Fand the most fitting punish
ment will be my consent to your re-
quest"
She motloned him to mount.
What do you mean? ?" he asked,
"That you will find me insufferably
dull company" she replied, as they
turned into cross road together.
He gave her a searching look.
"Ars you low-spirited ?" he said.
No; only tired"
Tired of what ?"
" Everything"
"My dear Genie "
The words seemed spoken impulsively.
Her sudden dash of color revealed that
they were unusal to her ears.
II beg pardon" he said quickly, OBJ
serving it.
"You need not" she replied. "The
name is a favorite one. Call me 50, il
you choose"
| +" WHAT"
"Genie."
But said my dear Genie May !
call you that p"
She blushed, but thesnext impulse was
to retort saucily. Looking up at him
however, the glance OF her bright eyes
uuailed beneath the grave expression oi
| his. The crimson of her cheek dPepened
her ripe mouth duivered. In that mo-
ment of exquisite pain and pleasure she
| wished that she were dead.
"Have I distressed you ?" he asked
gently. His foTbearance was q veIJ
great relief to her.
YES" she answered simply, looking
frankly into his handsome face.
"Then viii say no more on the sub
iect - he repIied. " / have something t.
tell you," he said, after a moment'i
pause. for she did not speak. " A gen
tIeman with whom / am well acquainted
commissioned me to deliver you a small
package, to-day. have carried it in M
vest pocket since morning. Here it is. ,
He handed her a little white package
bearing her name. Atsight of the hand
writing, her face blanched suddenly, ant
she reeled in her saddle as if she had beeI
struck by heavy hand.
90, this is cruel !" she murmured.
Miss Thernten-dear Virginia, wha
is it ?" said Hugh Annesley, checking
the horses. Then observing the remain
ing pallor of her features, be spTaDg Il
the ground, and lifted her from her seat
"What is it ?" he repeated, with hi
arm around her.
" Nothing-I am ill.," she answered
incoheTently, and evidently struggling
to regain her selfpossession.
"Sit down here" and he placed be
gently upon a mossy, fallen log beneatl
} a tree. Now, do not talk uu&n yol
feel better. Ny poor child"