St. Landry democrat., 1879-03-01
IRENE'S LOVER,
"In truth you'll not marry him ?

"In truth you'll not marry himT
"In truth I will. Ho is a jewel l have
found among the, rubbish of mankind In
general, p said Irene Elder, laughing.
"There, that quotation is not quite
correct. But the difference between the
elegant Clarence Neville, with his ire
sistible smile and manner, neckties and
whole get-up in the latest fashion, and
MFR. Clayton, plain and uaassnming; with |
garments more for use than elegance
"Nellie,' and Irene faced quickly |
round upon the speaker, "don't you dare
to make any comparison between those
two men to the disparagement of Ernest
Clayton. You cannot judge him, for you
have only seen him once, under the most
unfavorable circumstances. He is as far
above Clarence, morally, intellectually
and physically, as Clarence is above the
meanest beggar that walks the streets of
London" ... s:s Y~
"Well, of all things, Irene, who'd have
thought this? You, the belle of three
seasons, refined, tastidious to a nicely,
aristocratic-to think of you preferring
that plodding lawyer to gentleman of
leisure, taste and fortune, like Mr.. Me-
viuei" g. $50 K I ,
"Nellie," spoke Irene, @ never knew
the capabilities Of my nature until l
made the acquaintance of Mr., Clayton.
I sometimes vaguely wondered, when in
the society OF Clarence, if I was not ca
pable of nobler thoughts than: his CON
versation ever aroused within ~~ me;
whether there was not something higher
to discuss than the senseless twaddle Of
fashionable society. Ernest Clayton
touched q secret spring, and disclosed
recesses in my nature before unknown
to myself. I found in him vigorous,
highly-cultivated mind, too elevated to
be interested in mere frivolity; q heart
capable Of priceless affection for the OBJ
ject of his love, morality unquestionable,
man to lean on, to respect and love
with ever>increasing attachment-in
short, true hearted, manly man." >
Chow enthusiastic you grow'' ex'
claimed Nellie, looking admiripgly at
the fair face of her friend, whose eyer
lighted with a proud, tender CLEAN al
she thus dilated On the character OF the
man che loved.
Nellie, though trifing and vain, yet
respected Irene now more than formerly
and saw that she had passed into (
higher, purer atmosphere than that il
which che herself now existed. For :
moment she almost wished for some in
huence like this to come into, her owl
life; then, in the next, she was agail
rallying her friend.
"Won't Mr.. Neville break Ills hear
over your desertion Of him? I though
he looked rather disconsolate last eve
ming" ~ sin,
aHI The butterfly had, ] fancy, got tire
OF huttering around me. Don't fear 70
him he will soon console himself wit
"a new love. j know he admires Mii
Warner, and she admires him; perhar
a abe will receive his attentions, lookin
nischievously at Nellie. - ~
"I shall not receive them," ssid Mel
lie, though with heightened color. g Blu
as reuor, Irene. must leave you wit
your pleasant thoughts OF Mr.. sClayto
- for company. You are expecting hir
this evening, are you mott" And Nelli
fitted out the room and down stairs.
aezL Left to herself, Irene drew up her cas-
Z, chair to the glowing CRATE, and, rest
her head on her white jeweled hant
gave herself up to pleasant thoughts,
one might judge from her countenanc
Very fair she looked, woman whol
any man might love, almost reverence
81 for the casket was not more fair than Il
jewel it enshrined. Her form and fe
lures were very beautiful, but her fa'
was expressive Of all sweet woman
- sympathies; true andStender heart W
.,ychoSbe. What man most prizes in woms
II her affection, not her intellect.
IA gentleman in the drawing-roo
wishes TO see you,' said her maid. ente
ing the draving~room at the moment.
With heart pulsating more rapid
and heightened color, she descendt
to meet him, and was soon clasped in Il
arms of her lover.
He was all that Irene had describe
him q man whom his fellow men i
stinctively respected and trusted, ar
one to whose firm and tender sway
tine woman would gladly, happily DO
H her head, and find it her greatest happ
ness to honor and obey.
81 have something 20 tell you, deares
10 chow you Why i prizs your love
much, be said, as they sat side by sic
with clasred hands. eshall it
pow?" y
- II