Richland beacon., 1880-05-22

fOrm8nt-WhO cnanceu 10 Know tue
Maples-and learned that they were in
moderate circumstances: perfectly re-
spectacle; that they lived in a fiat in
Hotel Dighton; that Lynn was a dry
goods clerk, and supported his mother
and a young sister.
Percy Dudley stood by chafing.
alt seems to me you arevery much
interested in that fellow, Annie" he
exclaimed at last.
"I 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 chanced 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 TIE thought that Miss Lorraine
gave him more than a 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.
1t 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 fellow! I'll make him cut
his own throat before long" he NUT
tered.
He caught Lynn out, and obtains d
an introduction. 1t was in concert
"Good many ladies present. Blythe
way, there is Miss Annie Lorraine in
front. Do you know her, Mr.. Naples"
81 have the pleasure-siightly," re-
nlied, Jesna> a. .ansh coming into his
"Pretty. eh?'
every beautiful, 1 think. Do you
know where she resides, Mr.. DudleyT
What, do IT knowl Oh, up town
somewhere answered the other, catch
ing at sudden thought. $50 You don't
know much about her circumstances?
mo. Do your
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"
"Ah! 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. IL am not worthy the
homer"
"There is no accounting for women's
fancy" burst forth Dudley, savagely.
Lynn was too bewildered to notice
the sneer.
"You are friend of hers7' he asked
"Oh. yes-an Old. an Intimate one.
She's an odd girl-given to unaccoIrt-
able fancies, YOU know. Oh, yes, /
know her well! And my advice to you
is to strike whi'e the iron is hot, and
offer yourself 10 Miss Loraine-that is,
If SO inclined ) ourself."
'T-I 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 zee her there,
and make a sure thing Of it. Tll give
you my word she'll accept you"
"Thank you thank yOup' murmured
Lynn, tie lights swimming before his
eyes, and the music fading on his ears.
He cared no longer for the latter. He
got away out of the hall, and spent
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 50 than a score of other young
fellows in love. But q more honest, fer
vent fellow never trembled at the touch
of a woman's hand.
"You are a. fond of music as I am, Mr..
Naples" she said, with sweet cosliality
of manner which made her Irresistible
to all men who looked at her.
MAY Iescort you home, Miss Lo-
raine? 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 a
misgiving that he was mad, but he could
not help It. Before they had walked
six blocks and crossed the park, he had
offered himself to Miss Lorraine.
She did not speak-her face was quite
white. He felt the little hand on his
arm tremble. But her voice was silvery
clear, when she spoke at last:
"Mr. Naples, you have known me
but n comparatively short space of