American citizen., 1881-04-02
"You are serious. JasperP You will

II am seriously seriously-in
want of money, and aS for trying to win
this rural damscl Qor Clarendon is
hardly more than village), well,
think | can do it," answered Jasper
Surrdgc. complaccntly, rs he arose
from the table and sauntercd oht to the
hotel piazza.
Young Surridge had good grounds
for his confidence in his own attrac-
tions He was tall. handsome, graceful
and devoted to ladies society, could
quote poetry or utter delicate compli-
ments by the hour; and some of his
half-envious admirers declared that be
had been stern enough to refuse two
offers of marriage from rich widows!
When he made his appearance in
church the morning after his arrival in
Clarendon, there was quite u ilutter
among not few of the tender young
hearts, and at least II score of bright
eyes looked the question, Who is that
handsome man?'
With his mind concentrated upon the
unknown hciress, Jasper carefully sur
veyed the congregation and sighed for
some fairy to whisper to him, That is
She" Presently the organ pealcd
forth, and clear, sweet, mezzo soprano
voice sang an anthem, "Comc unto me
all We that labor" Regardless of the
place, Surridgc turned to his next
neighbor and whispered:
"Who is that charming singer"
Miss Edliirc," was the startling
reply.
The directory had already shown
him there was but one family
Jane Edliife, II Willow street; Acantha
i Al
| street, evidently this was the heircSs.
..M,hat .I1A..z- 1il=4A al-a--alAje
took a good long look ut the singer;
rcsuning his mental conversation he
said, Medium height, slender, dark
eyes and hair, good complexion, de-
Gently though plainly dressed; she will
dor
To make sure that this was the per-
son he sought, he discreetly followed
her home, and when he saw her enter
IL Willow street he was satisfied. He
delivered one of his letters of introduce
tion the next morning, and as soon as
he could he began to rave over the
"exquisite voice, the most delightful
voice." he had heard in church, and
innocently asked the singers name;
then, finding that his now friend know
her, he begged him to present him to her.
EOOu luCN, Ht
to make delicate but assiduous love to
Miss Acantha, and was charmed to find
that she did not rcpulse him; on the
contrary. after few days she seemed
to give him some little encouragement
not boldly, however, hut timidly and
innocently. Mrs. Edliffe was not so
cordial as he could have wished, but
still she was not actually inimical, and
there was no one else to interfepe-at
least. no one of whom he knew anything
"Acantha Edliiie's conduct is really
disgustingr' whispered the gossips
within a week after Surridge's arrival
in Clarendon. Before this strang ger
appeared she accepted Hubert Luttrells
attentions with avidity, but now She
quite ignores him."
He hasn't been to Willow street
since last Sunday" responded another
gossip, "while this Mr. Surridge is there
every evening, takes Acantha to drive
every afternoon and sends her books
and flowers every morning."
"Well, he is rich, probably, and very
stylish, while poor Hubert is neither"
Acantha's conduct in this matter
caused plenty of talk; Luttrell himself
was the only silent one; when some
person tried to ''interview''
him on the subject he simply set his
teeth together and muttered:
''Popinjay"
But popinjay or not, Surridgo COM
pletely distanced Luttrell in two weeks.
At the expiration of that period he
might have been heard whispering to
Acantha:
.'Oh, my darling. if you knew how
much loved you, you would not be so
coy; you would Mt least try to love me
in returnr'
perhaps may try" whispered she,
but quickly added, ward
ing off threatening embrace; .'but
how can l be sure that you are true?
You have known me so short a time!"
Fourteen long days! After all.
what is time to those who love? The |
l saw you knew that you, and |
you alone, must be my wifen'
Which was true, but not as he would |
have had Acantha understand it.
"You have loved before, of course ~
"Neveri Neveri may have had my |
passing fancies, but you are the first girl |
whom have wished to marry"
but l am poor and Insignificant
"Not the latter, my sweetheart. And |
Is to poverty, do you suppose l care for
hat? We will manage to live, 1 assure
Jou."
"You know nothing of my family"
"YOur mother. you say, is your only
l am sure she would grace any
tation."
dear mother, am sure she would!
t / should consent toto try and like
-ou, you must promise and not listen to
my nonsense about Mr.. Luttrell. Ibid
owe him, really love him, l thought,
lntil--until-"
"My darling! Your sweet confession
las entranced mer'
mo, no! l have confessed nothing!
live me until to morrow to think of it;
md mammals consent must be gained"
OF course Surridge promised to do
my thing Acantha desired; and when he
to his hotel that evening he
to his uncle,
"Come on at once. The fatcs are
The fates are proverbially eccentric;
o Surridge realized when, on calling at
Z Willow street, he was told that
Acantha was too i'll with nervous head
che to see any one. In the meantime
Or. Clabaugh arrived and congratulated
is pephew warmly on his success; but
=. !. -. the meantime, simultaneously
nth Mr.. Clabaugh's arrival came the
umor of old Mr.. Edliffe's death, and
he next morning it was announced in