Smyrna times., 1881-11-30

twilight. Her head was covered with a
shower of golden curls, and her complex
ion was as fair as a baby's. Her eyes
were large and blue, and just at present
were fixed rather anxiously on the road
where Jack would first appear.
He was late and she had almost given
him up, when the stalwart figure appeared
striding along toward the cottage. A
smile of satisfaction plays around the
mouth which breaks into merry laugh
when Jack leaps the fence and stands by
her side. Raising her eyes to his she
says:
You could not stay away could you,
Jack, dear?"
lie stoops to kiss her but she pushed
his face away and says, gently: "You
must not do it, Jack, feel quite sure Miss
Leighton would object"
ConfOund Miss Leighton" says Jack,
as he throws himself on the ground.
THAT is what say, Jack, but that
does not alter in the least the fact in the
case"
have told you, Nellie, dozen times.
that never will marry her."
Z" know it, but am horribly Jealous of
her, and cannot get her out of nv mind
night and day, and 1 know you think
about her all the time, now don't Won.
Jack?' and she bent forward till her ewes
are looking straight into his and then as
he made no reply, II do wish you would
smile, Jack, am trying so hard to delude
myself into the belief that you are hand
some and / never can if you look like
that"
taking no notice of her last remark
Jack Strengthened himself up and saws
with decision, Il have made un nv
mind"
To marry Miss Leighton ?" interrupt
ed Nellie, doing her best to squeeze few
tears into her eyes. Nellie is a couuette.
but to do her justice, she is very fond of
Jack.
. have made up my mlnd,n repeated
Jack.
"Well, you said so BEFORE" said Nellie.
have made up my mind" again re-
peated Jack, slowly, "to write to Miss
Leighton and tell her that, owing to
previous attachment, 1 am unable TO
comply with the conditions of my uncle's
will"
Jack, you dear, old darling" giving
his hand little squeeze, at which smile
lights up Jack Hastings plain face, but it
vanishes on hearing her next words
" How about the fortune, JackP"
Hang the fOrtune" replied tho young
man, and then she looks dubious, "Nellie, |
you don't care about the moneys"
mo, but
But what?"
A little money is very nice to have
but, Jack, l had ever so much rather
have you" smoothing his forehead with
her cool, soft hand.
Il know you would, Nellie. Now.
NhCh Snall IL De Qear =
oh, not before you have seen Miss
Leighton"
:" But l shall never see her. She will
not want to see me after she receives my
etter."
Oh, but would rather you should
ust imagine you seeing her after our mar
'lage and falling in love with her; 1
should die, Jack" and this time there are
ears in the blue eyes, but whether of
grief or of mirth, Jack cannot tell. All
lis persuasion cannot move her, and SO
he leaves her,
AS she watches his retreating figure,
Ter face dimples and smiles; she is quite
ure of her conquest, now, and is a little
ess jealous of Miss Leighton.
The weeks sped swiftly by, and the
econd week in September had arrived.
n two days Jack is to meet Miss Leigh
on, for Notwithstanding his letter, her
guardian had sent word that he thinks it
for the young people to meet,
IS Miss Leighton is anxious to make some
about the property, and next
Wednesday is set for the meeting.
He has taken his farewell of Nellie.
'tter swearing eternal fidelity; but she
5 not fully convinced. She has pictured
Hiss Leighton in glowing colors as a
'eauty, with dark flashing eyes and
lately figure, for since she is relative of ,
ack's, Nellie cannot get the idea out of ,
Ter head that she is q brunette, and is
ertain that Jack viii fall In love with the ,
'oung lady on the spot. She ends by ]
skiing him in pathetic tones, "What will {
hen be left for me to do" adding to {
ack's misery. {
The night at last arrived, and Jack has {
pent a longer time than usual on his ]
oilet and feels in dissatisfied mood as {
c rides along toward Beacon street. At I
sst the carriage stops, Jack is admitted {
nd shown into a small reception room by I
servant in livery. He hears the low /
trains of waltz, but his attention is in. /
lsntly caught by portrait which hangs G
yer the mantel, 1t is the portrait of a v
ldy; the face Is proud and intelligent, L
ne eyes, dark and brilliant; instinctively
ack knows it is the picture of Miss Leigh
on, and he laughs to himself as he recalls
Ieilie's description of her. He hears the il
lstle OF a silk dress in the hall, and the c
riginal of the portrait, only preuder, Y
andsomeF, IL possible, Is standing beside q