The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-16

been ADie 10 ket rom her one WOru tuat
 he could construe into meaning that she had the least affection. Nevertheless, he attributes this to shynes, though he
 must admit to himself the widow does
 not appear so shy as to warrant this con- clusion. He can not understand her ob- ject in continually reminding him that she has twill of her own" Though he has been told this over and over again,
 he has not yet had any evidence of such
 being increase. She has always accept ed his arrangements for her pleasure without even a suggestion, never once showing herself to be the self-willed creature sheems to wish him to believe she is. MT. Johnson is certainly fasci- mated; he can not remember ever hav- ing met a person who seems so eminent ly suited to be his wife; and at the end of the three weeks acquaintance he has about made up his mind to declare his passion. Uncertain he IS of how his suit will be received, he resolves to delay no longer.
 Any thing is better than suspense" he says to himself, when, on coming into the parlor at 10 o'clock, he finds Mrs. Lovelace sitting alone at the piano, idly running her fingers over the keys. She wheels around on the stool as he comes in and ereets him with a smile. T feel so happy tonight, Mir. John son." she says, as he walks over to her and stands leaning on the piano. "I am just as happy as l can be-"
 Are yos?" he replies, "what a pity
 we can not all be happy" But we all should be happy. Are not you, Mir. Johnson?"
 She was turned about again now, and is looking up at him, while she rests one arm on the key boards. Her ap-
 pearance does not belle her words, her eyes are bright and laughing, her checks are flushed, and her lips are even fuller
 and redder than usual If the young
 man standing at her side has ever had any doubts of her being beautiful, they | must now be entirely obliterated He | considers her the perfect woman.
 No one ever was so lovely" he says
 to himself, mo one ever will be lovlier."
 "No," he says aloud, am not happy,
 Mrs. Lovelace, though should be, look 1 ing on such beauty as is now before me-
 There you are, Mir. Johnson. always
 flattering me. Can't you talk without paying me q compliment? Indeed, you surpass the French in gallantryvs Il should like to pay you greater
 compliment than l have ever yet had
 the pleasure of paying any one,' he says, seriously, still gazing intently at | her.
 Now, let me tell you," she puts in,
 mischievously, "don't be too compli- 1 mentary, or won't answer for the con- sequences. Remember, always remem- Der, Mir. Johnson, that 1 have a will of II I
 compliments, won't.'
 "Your will doesn't frighten me in the least now," he replies, intent upon mak-
 ing his declaration. T shall pay you the compliment, be the consequences
 what they may; but hope and trust 1 they will be such as to make me as
 happy as you say you are, and as you seem to be-"
 "Bewarel bewarem huns Mrs. Love-
 lace, touching the notes on the piano. | The other words of the old song come to Mir. Johnson's mind:
 Trust her not, She's fooling thee; she's fooling theei' Is it warning2 he thinks; can she l mean this as hint too him not to go too | far, not to make a fool of himself | Whether or not 1t so meant, he does not
 heed it. 5eadlong he dives into the
 speech he has for days been turning
 in his mind.
 Have you not seen, Mrs. Lovelace," !" he says, passionately, laying his hand
 over hers, which still rests on the ivory | keys, That am in love with you? Could l you not tell from my behavior, from my
 conversation, that was trying to win
 you? Won't you"-
 "But, MT. Johnson" exclaims the
 widow, smiling at his excitement. II would much rather you would not say what you were going to. Haven't warned you? You do not yet under. stand me, fear. 1 tell you, 1 have a will of my own, and mean it." Mrs. Lovelace," the young man goes
 on, not caring in the least for her warn | ing, II have heard so much about your
 will that it has lost all it's terrors. don't
 care if you are shrew, mast tell 70 u that l love you, and that want you to
 be my wite."
 It is over. If he has not asked her to
 be his, he has made her acquain ed with
 his wishes. He has certainly com
 mitted himself. Mrs. Lovelace hears
 him passively.
 "Nosiiscom posture stirs her features" cHc StutiJ QtdN5 HcT udIu iiblu ulS clasp, and looks up at him with a pitying smile.
 You are very kind, MT. Johnson," she says, as she has said fifty times be- fcre. This is her formula. She uses it when she is offered chair; she uses it when she is given a mans love. You are very kind. appreciate your com pliment; but it is out of the question for me toaccept. A woman with such will as have cannot marry" But will not mind your will" pleads the young man, earnestly. T have no doubt you exaggerated it. l know you are as amiable as can be. Your will is only myth"
 "A mythl" she exclams; "my will is
 no inyth. No, Johnson, as much as 1
 admire you as gentleman, could not
 think of marring you. Indeed there is law that fsrbids my marrying at all---a
 law which states quite plainly that any
 woman with a win of her own shall not marry"
 q beg your pardon" exclaims John- son, annoyed that his love should be thus made a joke of; "I don't know much about law, but know there is no such
 law as that"
 But assure you there is" replies the
 lady, her eyes snapping neryously as she gances first at the man before her, and
 then at the clock on she mantel shelf.
 Even as she speaks there is a more wig
 erous pull at the door bell She is on
 her feet in an instant, and out to the
 hall before Johnson can think what she