American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-07-19

return nome, ana Is coming 10 say auleu.
Now, it rests with yourself, Elise, if he
really goes or not. And-there he is,
know his STEP"
Giving her an extra friendly hand
pressure, to make up for his rough
words, he left the place clear for final
explanation, and hurried off for brisk
walk. He felt the necessity for quick
motion and fresh air, for he was agi-
tated.
He could not help being keenly inter-
ested in this affair. He liked the young
man much, and Elise was of course
quite pet of his own. Poor girl, her
lip had quivered when he spoke so
bluntly; but how pretty she was look
ing-such graceful, winning style of
manipulating up the gloomy, formal
old room with her pretty gentle ways
and womanly occupations! Yes, he
should miss her terribly, no doubt.
Rome was a long way off, and he almost
wished that carte-de- visite had never
caught M. A. de Villains eye. After
all, why should not Elise remain as she
is? Then he checked these thoughts,
and began to wonder how it would be
settled. He turned back, feeling anx-
ious and nervous, and by this time the
interview must be ended.
| 1t was so, and M de Belandi entered
his own villa in time to see his guest
just few steps in advance, and from
his attitude he read that all was over.
| TI,af To- tnlI co. I'd
the next day M. A. de VILLAIN set off
on his journey home, trying his best to
forget that carte-de-visite.
There followed much commotion
among the friends of the Bornos; nor
did it end there, for it became the gen.
landi felt dull, having lost his guest,
and then there was the reaction and a
f1atness consequent on the unusual ex-
element. Besides this, Elise was never
now seen in her old haunts; when he
went to the house she was not in the
annoyed with him, and purposely avoid
ed him whenever she could do so. When
meeting was inevitable there was a
greater reserve and an uncertain man
ner, so different from the old gentle
pleasantness, that it made him unhappy.
81 don't know what ails her," COM
planned the old father one day to M. de
Belandi. "She pleased herself, or might
have done SO. But she is no longer the
same girl. 1 was saying to her mother
l wished you might call; for if any one
can rouse her or find out what is the
matter, it is YOURSELF
To please the poor old gentleman, NJ.
de Belandi went at once to find Elise in
a small boudoir where she sometimes
sat. He had often been privileged to
enter this room; and now, as his knock
met with no notice, he pushed upon the
door without scruple.
Elise had been crying; but as she
turned and saw him blush covered her
face, and she nervously tried to hide
what looked like a photograph, which
she had evidently been looking at.
"What, another photograph" he
exclaimed, trying to carry off the little
awkwardness he felt by joke. "Why,
Elise, is it possible that there was rea-
son for your failing to see the charms
of VillaniP Have you, too, been caught
by a carte-de-visite?'
To his surprise, instead of meeting
his joke with smile or saucy retort,
she bent her head, striving to hide her
tears, and the hand which held the pic
ture actually trembled.
"My de IT, Elise. what is FTP Your
father is quite unhappy about you. You
are not an undecided person; but is it
possible that you regret saying mop A
lady is allowed to change her mind.''
Still her agitation seemed to increase,
and she could not keep down her sobs.
Presently she snatched her hand to her
head, stammering some unconnected
words about not being well. She forgot
for the moment the photograph, which
was by this movement exposed to view.
M. de Belandi's establishment was
great indeed to see a by-a-no-means
fattering full-length photograph Of
himself!
He stood transfixed for a few mo-
ments, while veil seemed to be sud-
denly raised from his mind, disclosing
old things in a different shape, clear
and defined-things which had hitherto
been but dimly guessed at, and then
suddenly hidden again, and while he
was SO gazing and SO thinking, she
looked up and discovered what she had
done.
By way of correcting the mistake she
made another; catching up the photo
graph with little exclamation of
alarm, and then, with sudden percep-
ton of what she had done, choking her
sobs, she tried to explain ssthat she had
been turning out her desk, and so-and
so
But his eyes were now bent so earnest
ly on her face that she was in manner
compelled to meet his look.
"Elise, is it possibleP" he whispered.
Then presently he held out his arms. In
moment she was in them, clasped
close, her tears falling softly. But a
sudden change came over her face,
and she struggled to release herself,
saying
"Leave me instantly! You have taken
advantage of like you as friend, of
course, but-you misunderstand-"
"And l love you not as a friend,
Elise. 1 have done SO. But would not
allow it to myself even I was too old