The Osceola times., 1881-01-08
A HANDKERCHIEF FILTRATION.
CHAPTER ],

CHAPTERI
A lovely evening in early autumn, un
der the thick trees which shades guie
street in the suburbs of one of our East
ern cities, two persons were walking
slowly. conyersing in low tones. an i'll
matched couple they were. One
school girl of sixteen, with dimpled rosy
cheeks and clear, innocent brown eyes
the other, a man who might have beer
handsome but for the marks OF disslpa
ton and that undesirable mixture o
holiness and knavery which stamps OF
every feature of this class of men the
words gambler and roue.' There is
ring of mocking insincerity in the very
tones of his voice which contrasts play,
fully with the air of childish trust and
admiration with which his companion
regards him.
1No. nv angel, the time has not yet
come in which we are at liberty to de-
clare our love openly. For myself dc
not fear, but your stern father, taking
into consideration the way in which we
met, might separate us forever
ayes, indeed" replied the angel, with
true school Girl slang, "he'd Just ravel
he is down on handkerchief flirtations;
and there is John Riley; do you know,
Alphonse, ! more than half believe he
suspects something"
There was n start Of genuine emotion
of some kind from the ardent lover, and
the carefully modulated voice muttered
something that commenced with d,
but which was modified to darling"
"Who is John Riley?'
"OnIv cousin who lives with us, and
that dav when | first met you he saw me
flirting, and took me home and scolded
every step of the way like a savage. or
course promised never to do so again;
but he looks at me so queer, and tonight
when told mother | was going over to
Allies to study, he asked me if Allie and
did not do good deal of studying OF
evenings lately. know ! blushed
furiously. lie is always medaling. |
hate him.
Bellies heart smote her even as she ut
tered these kind words against the good
old bachelor cousin who had petted and
spoiled her all her life, and had never
soolded her but once. A fortnight pre-
yious TO this evening he had been horrl-
fed at seeing Belle on her way home
from school in company with two other
romantic young ladies, flirting her hand
kerchief at some flashily-dressed young
men on the street, in way bat gave
evidence OF long experience. To step
out of the store, take Bellies arm, and
walk her home to the unwelcome music
Of a severe scolding, was the work of a
moment. Since then Cousin John had
rested calmly, concious of having done
his entire duty. II te had only known!
For since that time Bellies companion OF
tonight had thrown himelf in her way
40 persistently, had protested such love
and admirrtion, and excited her imagina-
ton with such glowing pictures of wealth
and splendor that only wanted her ac.
ceptance, that the girls silly little head
was completely turned. She was envied
and looked upon as heroine by her girl
confdantes at school, and they lent will.
ing aid TO plan the meetings which took
place daily. Meanwhile, the two are
conversing soitly-in fact, the whole
conversation has been so exceedingly
soft that | will spare the reader a repeti-
ton of all except the closing sentences.
He holds her dimpled hand tenderly as
she turns TO leave him:
Tomorrow at four o'clock, then, dear
est, you will Gomez"
Eyes, Alphonse, but'-an uneasy look
clouding her fair face-"are you sure il
is quite right?"
Right, my love! What wreng can
there be in cheering the loneliness OF
my invalided aunt by visit from one
whom she has long wanted TO know
You will see no one else, and | will con,
duct you to your friends house befor,
absence is noticed"
Dear Alphonsem sighed the senti
mental miss, "how hard it is that yor
dare not speak to my father nowl"
Cruel" exclaimed the adorer,
spasm passing over his face, which to al
experienced observer, closely resemble
a suppressed grin. Perhaps the though
fitted through his mind that it might b,
decidedly hard for him if he did. "Bu
time, sweet one, will remove all obsta
clss."
Footsteps were heard approaching
and they bade each other good-nigh
hastily. The man paused to whisper;
Remember, to-mo. row at four"
Belle walked home lost in delightful
dream. She saw herself the bride G
Mr.. A. Sartoiis, heir TO his aged aunt
immense ior,une-the centre of an ad
miring circle Of friends, when eve
cousin John would be compelled to trea
her with the respect due her matur
years and elevated position. | am nc
telling the story OF an exceptionabl
foolish or reckless girl, reader; il is onl
a repetition Of the experience of thou,
ands of women who, viewing life throug
the medium of boarding school exper
ences and sensational novels, fell an eas
prey TO the moral wild beasts that wait /
every liie-path. Sad-eyed, hopeless ou
cast now, whose feet are swiftly treat
ing the downward path from which 5,
ciety says sternely, Thou shalt new,
turn back" If the mothers of our Ian
would pause and consider the pitfalls i
our cities, which, artfilly wreathed i
flowers, await the inexperienced feet
their darlings, and would devote les
time to fashion aud frivolity, and thin
only of fighting these monster evil
which, licensed and encouraged by th
good ~ government, every year drs
Thousands Of innocent ones down
tshzny and ssssssse ss.:-s'