The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-05-06

hhu soulCJnluB uOU!c anu hVphSs'o ."
his air, he was Jealous even OF her mere
respect for him.
It was mere accident that the two met
again and again during the winter, at
church, at a 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 obtained
an introduction. 1t was in a concert
room.
"Good many ladies present. Blythe
way, there is Miss Annie Lorraine in
front. Do you know her, Mr.. MapesT
81 have the pleasure-slightly," re-
piled Lynn, flush coming into his
frank, blonde face.
"Pretty, eh|
every beautiful, | think. Do you
know where she resides, Mr., DudleyY
"What, don't knowl Oh, up town
somewhere" answered the other, catch
ing at sudden thought. $50 you'don,t
know much about her circumstancesT
"No. DO you"
"Something,' carelessly. "She's an
orphan. Lives with an aunt. Blythe
way, my dear sir, she seems to know
you better than you do her"
"She did me Il 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. 81 am not worthy the
honor
"There is no accounting for women's
fancy" burst forth Dudley, savagely.
Lynn was too bewildered to notice
the sneer.
"You are friend of hers?' he asked
ooh, yts-an old, an intimate one.
She's an odd girl-giyen to unaccount-
able fancics, you know. Oh, yes, !
know her well! And my advice to you
is to strike while the iron is hot, and
offer yourself to Miss Loraine-that is,
If 50 inclined yourself"
al admire her very much!' stam-
mered Lynn, trembling with agitation.
" Yes. certainly; ! understand. Well,
she's going South next week; but she II
be at the Parker Fraternity tomorrow
evening. You'd better see her there,
aud make sure thing Of it, Pll give
you my word She II accept you"
Thank you thank you" murmured
Lynn, the lights swimming before his
eyes, aud the music fading on his ears.
He cared no longer for the latter. He
got away out Of the hall, and spent n
restless night, full Of excitement and
the most exalted emotion. For the
frat time lie knew that he loved the
lily-faced, browncyed girl.
The next nipht found him Mt the mu-
sical cntc rtainment Of the Parker Fra
tcrnity. lie WAS dish, perhaps, but
not more 80 than a score Of other young
fellows in love. But more honest, fer.
vent fellow never trembled at the touch
Of 4 woman's hand.
"You are as fond of music as am, Mr..
Naples" she said with Il sweet coIdiality
of manner which made her irresistible
to all men Who looked at her.
May Escort you home, Miss I.o-
raine? II have something to say to
YOU"
She gavo 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 {
mis1iying that he vas mad, but he couc
not help it. Before they had walked
six blocks and crossed the park, he hac
offered himsef to Miss Lorraine.
She did not speak-her face was quite
= white. He felt the little hand on hr
arm tremb!c, But her voice was slvery
clear, when she spoke at last:
/" Mr.. Naples, you have known me
but comparatively short space OF
time. What has caused you to address
me like this"
"My fervent love would not have
given me courage to do so, Miss Lorraine;
but an old friend of yours-One who
claimed to know you well--assured me
that you were not quite indifferent"
His voice failed him.
" Who was this friend, Mr.. Maples?'
MIR. Dudley"
He saw her eyes flash. She stopped
at the foot of flight of marble steps.
" am at home now. Will you come
here to morrow and get your answer
Mr.. MapIesW
Her lace, gentle and downcast, did
not tell him enough to bid him hope
but he could not forbear doing that in
the sight of her lovelintss. lie glanced
up nj the wide portals, bronzed lions
and arched easements, thinking, after
, he had bowed and left her, that Annie
Loraine's aunt must he rich.
Another nigh.o palpitating hope ant
. lear, yet he came with manly face t.
Annie Lorraine 10 learn her answer.
lie was a little surprised to find bud
ley IN the room into which he wa
ushered. He sat lolling in an easy-chair
smiling, complaisant, yet with tlushet
face and covert sparkle in his eye.
foN iIDldlut ibFt HUN illt sblu, hHt
advanced cordially to her visitor, offer
ing her jeweled hand.
" You have come promptly for YOU
answer, Mr.. Naples" she raid, and
will be prompt with you. | accept you
offer OF marriage, and give you, in tn,
very acceptance, my most sincere ailec
ton. Yesterday was the first of April
and | think it is Mr.. Dudley who will
tell us who is the April fool"
With cry of rage, and furious
oath, he sprang to his feet; but Mis-
Lorraine turned her back on him, an,
walked with Lynn into an adjoining
parlor, and he made his exit from I'll,
house without her adieux.
In scheming to make Lynn Naples Of
fend the heiress by an offer of marriage
he had shot beyond his mark, and, los
ing all hope of Annie Lorraine and hel
fortune, bitterly repented his trick OF
the first of April.