Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-14

 sat with true Southern enjoyment of the brushing and curling process which occupied herself and maid the interval between dime: and tea daily. Florida was supposed to be quietly following the example of the good Mrs. Pidkens in the adjoining chamber. But, alas she had not the calmness of spirit which netaphorically rocked that good lady's slumbers; and she had stolen out of the dooi communicating with the corridor, and now stood in the shelter of one of the gray. stone pillers supporting the gallery, restless, eager, starting at every footstep. and hearing hel own heart beat above the din of house and street.
 It was heavier hand than the oneshe look. ed for which was laid on her shoulder, vailed only by transparent lace, and gleaming by contrast with the dark stone work against which she leaned.
 "He won't be here for half an hour yet, Mis- Flory. I've watched him and his cigar safe down street. wouldn't look after him too much though, if was you, or too long at him. when he does come," said the bantering voice of her fathers old friend, Judge Pickens, She turn. ed proudly to resent it; but his keen gaze turned the blush of anger into her cheek, and her eyes sank again. She Lad always dread. ed him, and yet they had been so very guard ed
 "pm an old man, Miss Flory, and Pm seen little more of the world than you have, by fifty years or so. Now I've only got one thing to say," and his voice sank to a grave earnest ness. Don't make any promises that won't bear thinking of when you say your prayers. or do any thing that would give your father a heart-ache."
 What did he suspect? What did he know? She tried te regain her self control-her voice But the portly figure passed en as leisurely as laln f41 hnw and ok,a pfo alone for moment in strange whrl of won- der and shame and doubt; then turning sud- denly, hurried back to the unoccupied parlor of her friend, and, burying her face in the sofa pillows, lay quite still till the twilight began to gather.
 ''Estrel1a neta 5ien nsia /" s
 'NO, no !' she said, starting up and way ing away the form that bent over her.
 A heavy frown passed over the dark face.
 Il go, then;" and he turned with folded arms. 'You have decided!"
 "Yes no-no.! Stay one moment, Carlos. mi Uida, she murmured, in his own passion ate tongue
 "Yes, you do not dare any thing for my sake-for Cubas. I am deceived. I trusted you as my life-my honor. But you are weak and irresolute-you are woman at once :"
 ':StaY, Carlos 1 did not say so. cannot tell! Give me one day more-until am here again!"
 'tYou do not love mel"
 do; you can not dream how much !"
 "But would die for you, and you will not promise"
 If she did-if she promised to fersake all for him-could she recall it in her pray CTS? Could she dare to say to herself that it would not bring down her fathers gray hairs with sorrow to the grave? She had tried to forget oil ic hofor ht1t fav foif m had loosed conscience from the bondage of self will and passion.
 "You do not love me" he said again, look ing down at her with stern codness.
 But though she held out her hands to him and affirmed it more eagerly, sudden chilling conviction that he spoke the truth forced itself upon her. It was a strange facination that bound her to him. She could not rest out of his sight every pulse thrilled to the touch of his hand the thought of separation was like death and yet, what a0Gs love? Trust, con- fidence, repose What if these were it's ele- ments In place of them she found only fear and now suspicion that she could not conquer though she said to herself, again and again, that she wronged him cruelty.
 II am to stay then, and you will go with me 1; you will enter into all our plans you will be 8 patriots wife, and, if 1 die, weep for me!
 The will enthusiasm of her nature flashed up again. The pause was filed with mad visions of conflict and defeat, of a gloomy prison, the scaffold, and the block tkat no- ble head, barred for the executioner, rolling in the dust at his feet-the fire of those burn- ing eyes quenched by a stroke Oh never, never!
 "You do not speak. see, I stand alone Not all alone My noble mother praying for horo in ovil ho oF ha the liberty of my country-these never fail !" He struck his hand upon his breast, and she could see from the waning light sudden pallor overspread his features as he sank back heavily on the sofa beside her.
 ':Carlos oh, what can do? What Is it pronise Speak to me! Do you hear that promises Twill ge with you-do all you say !"
 His lips moved, but there were DO words only faint gurglng sound as the bright life blood wei He'd from his lips,> crimsoning her white arms as she supported him, trickling slowly, slowly down the silvery folds of her dress while his eyes, upraised, smiled faintly back to hers, as he lay clasped to hel heart.
 "Hep! help !" Oh, would they never come? Must he die without aid Her strength, her senses suddenly seemed failing her. She had killed him Her coldness and
  ly smile again-only speak-once more un close those heavy lidded eyes-she would promise, swear, bind herself for life or death ! Could she doubt her own heart longer?
 Mrs. Thomas was going North to join her husband. That was natural. Major Clayton had written to Madame Dubois to remit Flor ida's last month at school, and allow her to accompany her friend, as he "felt himself too much prisoner to crops and gout to be able to give her that pleasure himself" Was not her board paid in advance Was there not an application for the half of the bed and eighth of the wash-stan occupied by Miss Clayton? Was Madame to inquire into it too closely? By no means. Monsieur Charles Leroux was about to return to his affairs in Galveston; he had already been absent too long, How simple were all these transac. tions!
 It was not term time, but Judge Pickeus found much to occupy him in the way of bus- mess. What made him so anxious about the arrival of the Southern mail, and why did he receive so many telegraphic communications They interfered SO serously at last with the sleep and appetite of Mrs. Pickens that or ders were giving at the office for the book keeper to retain them until inquired for. Why should women desire to know who in. tended to run for Congress, and what decis ion the political caucuses at Jonesville and Macon had arrived at-especially those entire ly satisfied by the share of "rights" they had already participated in?
 Julie Semes was dying of envy. Florids to go North before her-to purchase bonnet at Genin's-to buy gloves at Stewards te dine at the St. Nicholas dally-to eat as many ices and as much fruIt-cake as she liked, sur rounded by the fabulous splendors of Taylor. newly -fresc'ea and gilded Alhambra! Btu then Florida was not what she had once beer to her. "A blight" as Juliet expressed it. had come over their friendship. She wat certainly fckle. How she had blushed ovel her fathers delighted allusons to John Hab ersham when she first came there, and con fessed that it might end in something one o days, especially when she found not another of all Madame's pupils had the slightest claiu to being engaged And how she had ravet
 al.. C..-