The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-11-12

OOOo AHPPlhScoI
"Joe," mentally cried, "better,
far better for me if / had declined
your invitation"
Presently we had most refresh.
ing supper, after which Joe and l
strolled out for a walk and a smoke.
"Joe," exclaimed, enthusiastic
cally, "your encomiums of your wife
were merited. She is indeed a treas
ure. By Jove, if could find such
jewel I should never rest until won
and married her."
Joe was on the point Of lighting
cigar when l begun, but paused with
upra'sed match till had finished
and the match burned his fingers. i
thought tor time he was angry at
my impetuosity, but his face cleared
away, and the old wicked twinkle
that | feared so much came to his
eyes. He grasped my hand, saying ::
"You're right, my boy; she's the
dearest little wife in the universe.
Pm glad you like her."
After we had finished our cigars
and talked for some time of our old
college days, we re-entered the
house.
"Nellie," cried Joe, opening the
piano, "iavor Tom and me with a
tune. He has a passion for music"
"Perhaps, Mr.. Thurston-" began
she, but was Interrupted by Joe.
mo, Nellie, ] protest No mister
ing around here! It's plain Tom.
Do you hear, Tom? She's to call
you Tom and you're to call her Mel
lie Violation of this rule will incur
my internal displeasure. Govern
yourselves accordingly"
'Perhaps he will object" pleaded
Nellie.
mo no." 1 exclaimed, ''lt will please
me very much-and-I will feel
highly honored to be allowed to ad-
dress you by your Christian name"
"Pshaw, Tom 1t will please her.
Won't it, Nell?"
She laughed, and gave me be-
wiching look accompanied by nod.
II was going to- say" said Nellie,
"that perhaps you could sing with
me-"
mo, no; excuse me, can't sing
Nellie"
The word was uttered with a gasp,
and l certainly turned violently red
in the face. Joe was looking at me,
and / saw he had desperate strug-
gle to control the muscles OF his
mouth.
| was indeed fond Of music, but l
was entranced with her magnificent
voice. The evening passed on golden
wings. Joe ran on in his wild old
ways ; told his jokes and laughed just
as bois:erously as be did when we
roomed together at college. He
did not give US much chance to join
in the conversation; tor one comic
auecdote reminded him OF another
which he must tell. We both laughed
heartily at his stories, and talked vol
umes to each other with our eyes.
That night / dreamed / loved Mel
lie. (Oh, truthful dream J l dreamed
she reciprocated that love- (Oh,
vain dream J Then l dreamed in
trigue began. We determined to
elope. My heart bled for poor Joe,
but l felt it was death to live with
out her. Now she has met me under
the old elm south of Joe's house. l
see her pale, excited face feel her
nervous hand clasping mine! Now
we are fleeing On, on, and now we
are pursued Joe is on our track
The scene changes, and we are on the
river. We glide along smoothly in a
light boat Now we are safe, and she
is mine-mine forever! But no, Joe
still pursues us. Now he is close to
us. Why cannot we glide faster?
Joe approaches swiftly. Now he
closes in on us He has caught her
in his cruel grasp! Her beautiful
pleading eyes are raised to mine
He raises knife alott Then l
catch his arm, we struggle silently
together. l wrest the knife from his
grasp aud plunge it into his breast,
and he drops from the misty boat
and sinks beneath the dark waves !!
How dark the river has grown by the
pale light of the moon! The gaunt
and ghostly figure of Mr.. Long sud.
denly energies from the waves l
saw him catch my darling in his
long arms, and, before could inter.
tere, they had both disappeared be-
meath the turbid waves OF the river !!
This awoke me! l arose and re-
sumed my wearing apparel, bathed
..... 4o.,o.;,b 4ooo ooI ,uonf f,Nrth into