The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1881-02-25

on my way home at rs rapid pace as
the slippery, snow-covered sidewalk
would allow
This pain at my heart was almost in
tolerable; it had been there nearly all
day. / began to realize what it meant;
] was an idiot, an arrant fooll A man
had been simply polite, and little kind
to me, and forthwith had been silly
enough TO fall in love with him. II had
actually come to this; was in love with
my master, who had never spoken one
word Of love TO me in his life, and who
was going to marry another woman. /
was thoroughly ashamed of myself, and
vowed / would die rather than he should
know-my foot slipped, / pitched forward,
then back in vain attempt to recover
my equilibrium, and settled suddenly
into heap Of soft snow, while my pack
age flew in an opposite direction. Twice
7 made an awkward attempt TO rise,
when pair Of strong arms raised me,
familiar voice saying:
"Not comfortable time Of the year
for sitting out of doors,
Then, while | brushed the snow from
my dress, my master picked up my
parcel, and before could object had
tucked my hand under his arm, and wns
walking toward my boarding house G
wondered afterward how he knew the
address)
"Mayn't I call and see you some even
ing when am lonely? I'll be very
good, and do want to come" with a
wistfnlness in his tone that made my
heart bound.
"Resist the devil and he will flee from
you" had been a fayorite quotation Of
my step-mother's; the devil in this
case was my own heart. that was clamor.
ing SO loudly forbidden fruit To resist
him, answered sharply angrily:
mo, sir, you may not comel You
must find some other way Of relieving
your loyeliness.
MY master looked nstonished, frowned,
and then laughed.
oYou need not look so cross about IL,
Janet. You don't look pretty when you
scowl. Merry Christmas to you!" and
he was gone.
Some bitter tears were shed that night,
with a protest against the bitterness Of
life.
My one Christmas gift was bunch Of
delicious hot-house flowers which Ind
been left for me by an unknown hand,
and which frightened our room and
gladened our hearts as long as they
lasted.
Irather dreaded meeting Mr.. Chisholm
the next day; how would he act? Would
he be cool and caustic, or overlook me
altogether? felt the blood rush to my
face as ] heard his step. He carelessly
returned my salutation, and Immediately
hecameinterestedi in his letters. Evidently
he was angry.
Later in the afternoon, Mr.. Jarvis
ushered two ladies into the office. One
was Young and very lovely Mr.. Chis-
holm greeted them with en11reSsement.
THE youngest one is Miss Raymond, =
whispered the head clerk, fidgetinP
among my papers, "the lady Mr.. CHS,
holm is TO marry"
''Indeedp I answered, bending over
my work. '1s ii settled?p
ooh, yes!" was therl0w reply. q
hear they are to be married in March.
She was a brilliant-looking woman
but thought, had I been in her place
would never have shown Mr. Chisholm
my preference so layishlyi before stran
gers or been content with such mockinp
homage as he rendered. His crosses
manner pleased me more; this was toC
light and free to suit me, but Miss Ray
rnond appeared well satisfied, flashing
bright glances, and tossing her queenly
head in manner that might have bewil
dered a stronger man than my master
Some grand ball was TO take place within
a week, and she wanted him TO meet bel
there, Az first he appeared unwilling
then he allowed himself to becoaxed in
to consent. saw her slip her smal
hand into his In her thanks, then, amit
gay speeches and merry laughter, he es
| corted them to their carriage.
"Well, Janet" said Mr.. Chisholm,
little later, with sudden change of man
ner, .'what do you think Of Miss Ray
! mond?"
! II think she is very lovely, SIR" l an
syered, quietly, 'and must congratulate
you on your future happiness.
n He arched his heavy eyebrows comic
ally
| won't she make my home happyi
he cried. vt'Won't she be q patier
Griselda2 She'll never give though
to other mems admiration after the knC
is tied-no, not shell And she'll look we
at the head Of my table; these larg
women make 3 much better appearance
than small ones do.
ssPIease do not speak so; ] wish 70
/, wouldn't Indeed it is not honorable,
I broke in. ,s,s
He walked over to my desk, looked I
me with a queer expression.
"Oh, pray continue! By all mean
show me my duty to my future wife, nc
Miss Helen Raymond Janet, you ce
! tainly missed your vocation; You shoul
have gone in for the pulpit or the pla
form; those demure eyes would surel
have gained you many q convert. Nov
by way Of reward for your defence
the absent, let me tell you that her par
ing advice was to get rid of YOU as soc
as possible--a man would be SO mud
more useful" Suddenly laying his har