The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-26

. fashlonabie drawlng-room, before
mixed audience, is novelty. A skepti-
cal smile goes round the room Sir
Charles Digby, the questioner, laughs
outright
"My dear fellow, assure you it is no
laughing matter My old uncle, who
died last week, cut me off with shilling.
have any quantity Of paper to take up
in less than month must marry an
heiress or-pass the bankruptcy court. -
So saying, Harold relinquishes his hand
and makes the tour of the room, whose oc-
cupants are for the most part acquain-
tances. Despite the explanation a gen.
eral suspicion prevails that he is attempt
ing . hoax. Meanwhile he takes stock of
the heiresses. Four or FIVE are disposed
of at once most unceremoniously but he
selects two as worthy of most minute
consideration. One is May Hamilton, a
blonde. She has wav ~, faxen hair, large
blue eyes, creamy complexion. and a per-
feet little rosebud of a mouth. She and
Harold have firted through the whole
season; she now summons him imperi-
ously to her side.
"Come here, Sir, and explain away the
bad impression you have produced on us
all!'
g can explain away nothing, fair lady.
throw myself upon your mercy" he
said, advancing smilingly.
. That is a quality with which l am
not endowed What is this about win
ming an heiress 80
fSuch is my inter ntion; take care of
yopr heart'
q How if have already lost it ?'-with
a merry glance.
g In that case" he returns, "you are
safe" and passes on.
The last beauty TO whom he addresses
himself is beauty of a different order
She has small, queenly head, set well
upon queenly shoulders, wealth of soft
brown hair and sweet, proud eyes; her
form is perfect in its proportions. Lady
Maud Reading has riv valed May Hamilton
at many festive assembly and may di-
vide Harold's attention for the next two
or three weeks. Hitherto he has kept
aloof from her little crowd of worshipers,
and the proud beauty had quietly noted
the fact and allowed herself to feel some
what piqued thereat He seats himself
on q low ottoman at her side and speaks.
Her eyes flash there is scornful ring in
her voice.
"Surely, Mr.. Raisbeck, you were joking
in what you said Just now? You cannot
have turned fortune-hunter
g was never more in earnest, Lady
Maud p
"It is wicked, mean, dishonorable," i" she
said, passionately.
:" crave your pardon" The grand
head that Lady Derwentwater likened to
demigod's is lifted an inch higher. 1t
would be simple matter of barter-my
intellect against woman's beauty, my
freedom against a wonlan's wealth. There
is no wickedness in such a transaction
As to meanness and dishonor, | openly
avow my intention hide nothing
cruise under no false colors. Do not let
your feelings warp your Judgment, Lady
Maud"
"I do not care" she says mo woman
will listen to your PROPOSALS; no girl give
you her heart"
erich % The answer came slowly
she seems to be struggling for self-com-
mand, Richer than any one here, per-
haps.T
'sAnd beautiful" Harold continues
musingly, his eyes fixed on her face, as
thou ugh he were trying to read this girls
nature, and the study was an interesting
one = beautiful as . queen; any man
might covet such wife"
"You have insulted me sufficiently"
she bursts out 81 did not speak for my
self, because l would rather cut off this
hand than bestow it TO further such aims
as yours, because | utterly despise and
scorn-." She stops, at loss to under
stand or account for curious expression
which fits across her companions face.
He leans over, dropping his voice.
You are very candid; it is fer me to
change your opinion. | shall win you
win my heiress, but never wear her."
Lady Maud looks at him blankly; the
accents of curious power thrill her for an
instant with something like fear The
next moment she il herself again, .
naughty smile on her beautiful face, her
eyes cleaning like two stars.
& SO be it, Sir; defy you. You shall
have the opportunity; but look to your
SELF
He gazes at her, dri linking in her lowell
ness until his face softens. She starts at
his words, so tender and pitiful is the
tone.
Poor girl-poer girl-so young and
so beautiful, but titled, rich as Crpsus !.
Verify, it were easier for her to 90 through
needles eye than enter the heaven of an
honest mans love!"
She rises abruptly, crosses to the piano,
and begins to play sparkling Italian air,
through which she goes mechanically,
making it effective from sheer force of
habit. her thoughts wander meanwhile to
the last strange sentence. The usual buzz
of thanks follow. She turns to find Har-
old's tall figure standing behind her.
"Why do you not thank me p she in
quires. noticing the omission.
Because your heart was not in the
words. Your thoughts were far away
from them"
How do you know?'
81 can read you like book"
For the second time that evening thrill
of something like fear shoots through her.
Why should this man be able to divine
her thoughts? What makes him in so
many ways unlike his fellows?
"Will you sing this for me ?" he asks,
selecting piece from heap lying near.
1t is an old fayorite of hers, . passion
ate wall over the dsgeneracy of the man
and woman Of the day, the cry Of Q noble
spirit seeking il mate, searching vainly
for . heart that il worthy of the love il 10
ready to bessow. She sings it magnif-
Gently, with . pathos which stills every