Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-12-21
Written for the Chronicle.
"CON."

"Will you repeat again those
words, that 1 may fully understand
your audacity." The long-lashed,
blue eyes of the speaker fixed them
selves with deliberate intentness on
her companion.
eyes, certainly" was the meas
ured response. II affirm that you
are interested in me; that for some
reason best known to yourself you
wish to conceal it, but the effort is
miserable failure as far as | am
concerned. 1 flatter myself that /
am sometimes able to read others
thoughts"
For a few moments a hush fell
over the room. Con MapletOn sat
with her white hands folded over a
gorgeous copy of Wordsworth, and
her angry eyes fixed on Paul Marks.
His careless ease as ne leaned his
broad, fiat back against the low
mantle, struck her as being a very
pleasant picture, and she doubtless
would have admired it, had not
Indignation usurped all softer feel
ings and caused her to wish at that
moment that the tall, careless form
opposite was on the other side of
the sea. Angry she certainly was,
but her innate and cultivated refine
ment curbed all sharp words, and
she said "YOu are very confident
Mr.. Marks, but | think if you will
ACCEPT this seat on the divan by me
/ can probably enlighten you in re-
gard To some things" She paused
and he came over and took the
prOffered seat.
"NOw if you will allow me-" she
continued, looking steadily into the
dark, handsome face before her, 81
will try and gage that amount of
interest you gave me credit for a
few minutes ago. To be otherwise
than interested in you would seem
incOngruOus, as you hold the inn
pOrtant position of brother To the
dearest friend / ever had. And
believe me, very much appreciate
the compliment you paid me
while ago in Offering yourself tO
me, which offer | am forced to de-
cline for these reasons: While l
may be, as you say, interested in
yourself, there exists another whom
/ love with all my heart, and to
whom am pledged"
She turned her eyes from the face
of the man at her side, and fixed
them musingly on the glowing Goals.
Again for a brief space there was
silence in the bright, warm drawing
room of the Marks, and again Con
MapletOn's voice broke the silence:
Il am fully aware shat my repu-
tution rs Il cOquette has preceded
me does this argue it Mr.. Marks ~
Beyond the pale of doubt" he
said instantly. "When your visit
was announced / did not expect a
o. simpering miss who had just per-
fected the fan filtration. You are as
/ expected you would be, something
very unusual; a skilled tragedian
in real life. To endeaVOr to conceal
my love, Miss Mapleton, were sheer
madnes,/ Before an experience so
rich and extended as yours an at
tempted secrecy on my part would
he but an imperfect ruse. ] mean
toplay honestly with you, and l say
some ddy / shall ICiH yOu. In the
interim | want you to be INDUCED
and stated in admiration, and ruin of
hearts, and | think that will strip
YOUR nature of its butterfly garb
and show in true, living cOlors your
dormant loyalty. You have heard
from your childhood up, of the
Charm concealed in third attempt.
Three times, Miss Napoleon, shall
4 l., ~ hand nn1 llNvn N
YOUR feet, and the third time you
will accept them. Do you agree ?'
Your prophecy is empty and
meaningless, she replied with a
Shrug of her handsome shoulders.
Twill you examine this?' She
disengaged a rich lOcket from
slender chain Mt her neck, and passed
il to him.
He opened it carefully and gaZed
long and earnestly at the pictured
face within. And he thought he
saw i'm the frank, bOyish face before
him an easy dupe for Miss Maple
toms art. The light Oftruth beamed
from the eyes, and a tender smile
lurked on his lips, rs though IDIOT
cally happy that his image lay on
the bosom of the charmer.
he Il lily bctIbtilSis size Htlh
I'm a quick recitative manner. The
words even came with a touch of
Cagerness as she leaned forward and
examined toe picture with Paul
Marks. As he returned the locket
he gazed scrutinizingly into the face
at his side, but the fine trained fea-
lures gave no evidence that a jest
law lightly below. He very much
admired her dramatic excellence,
and felt even deep respect for the
fngeniousneSs which could sustain
part with such skill, still he did not
believe one word that she uttered.
II believe l claim the German
this evening"" he said softly, as
they passed out into the hall an hour
batter.
She nodded a careless assent as
she left his side.
Letters said Bell Marks, as she
held out her pretty jeweled hands
for the treasures, which were about
10 emerge from her brothers great
gkTnfnliiUpnpn from