The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-05-14

asked hundred questions OF her in
formant--who CHANGED to know the
Maples-and learned that they were in
moderate circumstances; perfectly re-
spectacle; that they lived in a fat in
Hotel Dighton; that Lynn was a dry
goods clerk, and supported his mother
and young sister.
Percy Dudley stood by chatting.
"It seems to me you are very much
interested in that fellow, Annie" he
exclaimed at last.
81 am, / think" she answered care
lessly.
Dudley looked at her from under
frowning brow. He, Percy Dudley,
the irresistible, the best match o. the
season, had paid this girl the most un-
mistakable attentions for four months,
without the slightest sign of having
made but the most ordinary impression
upon her.
Yet he continued his suit since there
was not another girl worth one hundred
thousand dollars in his set, nor any
where that he knew of, to be had.
His jealous eye observed that in driv-
ing with Miss Lorraine, they never
passed the store where Lynn was en-
ployed without her turning her glance
toward tine entrance; and once, when
he CHANGED to beflling lady's carriage
with bundles, she bowed to him, with Il
faint flush upon her lily face.
From that moment Dudley hated
Lynn. Though he did not for moment
entertain the thought that Miss Lorraine
gave him more than passing approval,
and he could see that the young man
had something noble and attractive in
his air, he was jealeous even Of her mere
respect for him.
It was mere accident that the two met
again and again during the winter, at
church, at fair, in a picture-gallery,
where Miss Lorraine offered Lynn the
sweetest courtesy, but it infuriated
Dudley.
Course the fellowl I'll make him cut
his own throat before longW he NUT
tered.
He caught Lynn out, and obtaine d
an introduction. 1t was in concert
room.
"Good many ladies present. Blythe
way, there is Miss Annie Lorraine in
front. Do you know her, Mr.. Maples?"
AT have the pleasure-slightly," re-
piled Lynn, flush coming into his
frank, blonde face.
"Pretty, ehT'
every beautiful, / think. Do you
know where she resides, Mr. DudleyT
'What, don't knowl Oh, up town
somewherel' answered the other, catch
ing at sudden thought. $50 yOu'don't
know much about her circumstances
"No. Do you7"
Something" carelessly. "She's an
orphan. Lives with an aunt. Blythe
way, my dear sir, sne seems to know
you better than you do her."
"She did me favor last fall, on the
occasion Of an accident"
"Ahl Well, well, it seems that on
that occasion you took the young lady's
fancy. In short, she fell in love with
YOU"
''With me" stammered Lynn, blush
ing furiously. ~ am not worthy the
honor"
There is no accounting for womens
fancy" burst forth Dudley, savagely.
Lynn was too bewildered to notice
the sneer.
"You are friend of hers?" he asked
"Oh. yes-an old, an intimate one.
She's an odd girl-given to unaccount-
able fancies, you know. Oh, yes, l
know her we'll! And my advice to you
is to strike while the iron is hot, and
offer yourself to Miss Loraine-that is,
If so inclined yourself"
I'll admire her very much" stam-
mered Lynn, trembling with agitation.
" Yes. certainly; understand. Well,
she's going South next week; but she'll
be at the Parker Fraternity tomorrow
evening. You'd better see her there,
and make sure thing Of it, FL give
yousmy word she'll accept you"
"Thank you thank youF murmured
Lynn, the lights swimming before his
eyes, and the music fading on his ears.
He cared no longer for the latter. He
cot away out of the hall, and spent a
restless night, full of excitement and
the most exalted emotion. For the
first time he knew that he loved the
lily-faced, brown-eyed girl.
The next night found him at the mu-
sical entertainment of the Parker Fra
ternity. He was foolish, perhaps, but
not more so than a score of other young
fellows in love. But more honest, fer
vent fellow never trembled at the touch
of woman's hand.
tsYou are as fond of music as am, Mr.
Naples" she said, with sweet tcordiality
of manner which made her irresistible
to all men who looked at her.
MAY escort you home, Miss Lo-
raine7 IL have something to say to
YOU"
She gave assent. Her brown eyes
widened slightly with surprise, but she
chose to accept, and, for once, Percy
Dudley gracefully yielded his claims;
She came down into the moonlight
her rich evening dress over her arm
her face cool and sweet. Lynn had
misgiying that he was mad, but he could
not help it. Before they had walked
six blocks and crossed the park, he hac
offered himself 10 Miss Lorraine.
| She did not speak-her face was quit
white. He felt the little hand on hi