The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1878-09-27

IOu Wttt bt"' W N'"'' ~ ''
notr
Celeste Murat was an heiress as
we'll rs a beauty, yet she persisted in
living alone, with the exception Of the
in her stately home.
"she also persisted in receiving
whom she liked, thereby giving per
petual scandal to all the mothers Of
grown up daughters for miles around.
"Ilike my freedom she said, when
any one limited she should be more
circumspcct, and I would not for all
my wealth have a prying chaperone
near me. If I ever need one smiling
sweetly, Il will let you know
The next day called, hoping ]
might find her alone, but was disap-
pointed, for she was talking gaily to a
young officer, and merely gave me a
slight, cool bow. Had she forgotten
how kind she had been to me the eve
ming before, or was she merely feign-
ing this coldnesss
1.-THE officer had the good taste to
withdraw.
"I will come and see about the
flowers Tomorrow he said, as he
arose. May mott ?
"'Yes; come about-let me see
two o'clock
"Is the lieutenant a gardener. as
we'll as soldierf' / asked, forgetting
politeness and the shortness Of our ac-
quaintance, in the jealousy that had
sprung up in my heart.
"'Yes, she said, coldly, and a
gentleman, as WELL
Pardon me-, l said, feeling HUI
inflated by her quiet answer.
"'Yes,' she said, her expression
changing, and as proof | will take
you with me, and show you my flow
ers. Gomez
"When we stood among the roses,
she plucked a crimson one and gave il
to me.
"These are my flowers she said,
ARE they not beautifulY and |
thought she was the fairest flower
among them herself.
"She rises before me now, with her
soft, fair, childish face raised to mine;
her pale, gold hair hanging loosely on
her shoulder, and a bunch of fragrant
violets nesting close to her throat.
"And that was the beginning of the
end. Day after day l fingered near
Celeste Murat, caring for naught on
earth but her love.
"Whenever tried to tell her my
love, she somehow turned the subject
away. and I always felt she did not
care to listen.
"One evening we sat together, my
eyes resting on her face, when sudden
ly she bent over, and clasped her tiny
hands ON my shoulder. Oh, how her
touch thrilled me and how well she
knew it.
Barton she said, her sweet, low
voice thrilling with a sad cadence,
our friendship has been very happy
has it not Barton!'
Darling said, happy? Oh,
my love-my Darlington must
know-you do knowp
"'Know that after today, you and
/, Barton, can scarcely he SO uncere-
monious. for am going to have a Wis.
itor.' t-.
''Her sweet face, with its wistful
eyes, was very close TO mine.
"'But, Celeste, my darling
"'After tomorrow / will listen to
all you have to say, Barton. Will
that satisfy your
"The next morning | was at Ce-
lestes home. My darling was in the
parlor, and she came forward to meet
me with bright, smiling face.
"'You are welcome she said, as
she laid her hand in mine, and some
how thought she raised her eyes to
my face with half pleading look.
"Just then / became conscious that
there was third person in the room.
A magnifcently handsome man, who
stood leaning against the window.
Celeste turned TO him:
Clarke, she said, let me intro
duce you to my friend, Mr.. Lesley.
Barton, know you will be glad to
make the acquaintance of-of-'
"'Your future husband the man
said, laughing; was that what you
were going to say, Celestep
"'Celeste! My God, Celeste what
does this mean ? | cried, deeming il
almost impossible.
"Clarke Everett drew the girl close
to him.
"'Miss Murat is my promised wife,
he said, haughtily; we have been en-.
gagged almost two years
"Oh, God the agony Of that mo-
ment; man and all as | was, | could
not suppress the moan that arose to
my lips, as | put up my hand to close
out the light of day, and then, with.