American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-08-03

my parents had lett me When they Oleu
was all lost, and then discovered that
had narrowly escaped being married
for my money. was very politely iilt-
ed, Philip, but do assure you it was
worth all my money to be free OF that
horrible marriage, But detested New
York after that; SO one day, like the
Arabs, silently stole away, and came
to this quiet little spot where had been
as child, little dreaming, Philip, l
should meet my fate so soon."
"Poor child!" said Philip tenderly,
"you must give me the right to love,
cherish, and protect you very soon in
deed, and thank God you are poor
woman, that is Cautiously if you think
you can manage on my salary of three
thousand year and be content" and
Philip looked into her sweet face and
read there that she was unutterably con-
tent.
"valeria, you must put on your best
best bib and tucker tonight; they tell
me this ball is to be most exclusive af-
fair, and of course my mother will have
carly bulletins to inform her of your dc
but in Washington society.
They had been married month and
were sitting tete-a-tete at their hotel
breakfast, freshly returned from their
wedding tour, and here in Washington
Valeria was altogether strange.
"Your commands shall be obeyed,"
answered Valera, gayly, "only you
are banished for the day, while l con-
coct my toilet and furnish up my fine
ry."
Later, while Mr.. Runsen, in his cor
rect evening dress, sat reading his pa
per awaiting rather impatiently his
wife, the door opened and unheard she
entered.
"Do quite suit you?" said gentle
voice, and then Mr.. Runsen lowered his
paper and became transfxed. Before
him stood vision of lovliness, in mag
nificent cream-white silk, covered with
delicate web-like lace. Superb dia-
monds flashed in her ears and encircled
the round white column of
her throat, shown on her arms
and in the ripping masses
of her hair; but fairer to see than all
was the soft radiance of her hazel eyes,
the pink flush upon her cheek. as she
said again, s'Do 1 quite suit you,
PhilipP''
Shave gone madP' was her hus-
bands answer, as he TOOK in all the de-
tails of her exquisite toilette. "Why,
Valera, where on earth did you get
thesep" touching the huge solitaires in
| her ears.
"Relics of departed grandeur, love, u
she answered, lightly. with tap of her
point-lace fan.
"Come along, will you? We shall
get there at sensation time as it is,
fear"
So Philip was content to kiss the pref
ty upturned face and enwrap her in her
fur-lined cloak. There was q universal
hush in the conversation when Mr.. and
Mrs. Runsen's names were announced,
for Mr.. Runsen had held quite a pro
nounced place in society before his mar.
rage, and it was generally known that
he had incurred his family's displeasure
by a nsesalliance with a scheming ad-
ventures, whose maiden name was even
unknown. But now there was a low
murmur of admiration, as the beautiful
and graceful woman entered, with the
air of a duchess and the lf-possessed
manner of woman of fashion
Very soon Mrs. Runsen became
the center of the most distin
guished group in the room. Altogether
the evening was triumph, the gentle
men taking every opportunity to con
graduate Philip on his selection of {
wife, and the ladies proving by theil
absorbed gaze their recognition of TIE
costliness of Mrs. Runsen's toilet. By
the-bye," said Philip, as they drove back
to the hotel, "I saw my cousin claim
your acquaintance this evening-did
you know him in New York;"
"Philip, you will be rather astonish
ed to hear it was your cousin whom
WAS engaged to marry. He was quit
dazed when he found it was Valerii
vincy you had married." and Mrs
Runsen's laughter was musical with tn
happiness she felt.
"How altogether comfortable Il
think you are saved from that unmiti
gated IDIOT" said Philip, in answer
"He is quite welcome to my mother
money, dearest, now that have you.
At II next morning Valera came t.
her husband, equipped for prone
made.
eff you will permit me to be so vul
gar" remarked her husband, as he sur
veyed her from over his morning paper
al should say that you are becoming
rather stunning in your raiment.
And indeed Mrs. Runsen's tall, fail
beauty was admirably set off by the sea
brown of her velvet suit.
"And here, in accordance with Wash
ington USAGE" continued Mr.. Runsen
while his wife fastened her long gloves
"here is lengthy description of you
incompatible beauty, etc." touching
the paper, " and the statement that YOU
diamonds alone are worth fortune
Mrs. Runsen; so that 1 am expecting
every moment a telegram from my moth
er to assure us we are forgiven, and wei
coming us to her arms.''
Just as Mr.. Runsen spoke there was g
rap upon the door, and the servant an