Smyrna times., 1881-11-16


ence OF Mr.. Gray. On several occasions
When with Sheldon and other of her
irlen0s, tne appearance of Gray among
them would instantly transform her buoy
ant Sayety INTO queenly reserve. Was
TINS caused by that peculiar sense of re-
stralnt which one feels when in the pres
ence OF the person one loves. or by a cul-
tivated diplomacy? Mr.. Gray was unable
to decide
Such uncertainty could not be endured
and he determined to make some develop-
ments by which, he expressed himself ''tO
sec II there is any occasion for me to en-
courage my feelings for the lady: if not.
Then am fool for allowing myself to
harb0r any other sentiment than of friend
ship"
lie look the initiative one Wintrv night
III December by requesting the pleasure
CT accompanying Miss Leighton home
from one of the meetings of the circle a
request which, although having had more
IMAM three months acquaintance, he had
not previously made. Her reply, a mega
1--WE, was sufficient to cause relapse into
ms own true state of misogamy. 1t was
silghtly consolatOry to know that Mr..
Sheldon did not accompany her home
DuC MS relapse was not serious, and he
ACNONCICu the course OF a
couple OF weeks as to repeat the request
and on this occasion thought himself en-
premely blest by her acceptance After
this he was frequently similarly favored
and he found those little germs of love in
his heart had grown with wondrous randi
lty, until Maud Leighton seemed to him
to have become essential to his being.
This was comparatively a new feelino tn
MIR. Gray, as he had previously held that
ne could get along without wOmankind
put ne was repentant now, and was will
ing TO admit that he had been mistaken.
lie llVed in Elysium for a while: but the
day neared when he must leave Glendale
win It's many pleasant associations: but,
ABOVE all others, he must leave Maud
ne had made no aVOwal of his feelings.
as that conveyed with it the idea of mar
rage, and he did not think that a few
months acquaintance would admit his
taxing so serious step; however, he de-
.ermined to continue his relations with
her Oy correspondence if she would per
NIT 1t; so he had concluded to ask her
LOT thlS privilege upon the next and last
night OF his attendance at tie circle
Maud was there as usual, and he expected
10 accompany her home, when he would
ask permission to correspond with her.
The evening passed pleasantly; some
expressed their regret at the prospect of
losing Mr.. Gray, who in return assured
the circle OF his sincere sorrow at sever
ing the many pleasant associations he had
formed. At late hour the Young ladies
and gentlemen began preparing to 90 to
their homes, when Mr. GRAY approached
Miss Leighton to make his wonted re-
quest for her company.
Miss Leighton, may have the pleas
ure of accompanying you home?"
| thank you, Mr.. Gray; not this even
ing" ' '''''' : 'A
TO say that he was surprised will but
teebly express his feelings. 1t was SO en-
tiEely unexpected as to completely con-
found him. With profound bow he left
her,
What could have caused her refusal after
the almost universal acceptance of his
company previously? He would seek an
explanation; it was due him, and he would
demand II.
An opportunity presented itself, when.
hndlng himself in the presence of the only
oelng whom he had ever truly, deeplv
loved, after the usual observations con
cernlng the weather and upon other topics
of indifference, he began,
t'S" +9StS+'oli ! WISH 10 ask YOU q
question OF greater interest to me than to
you, presume, and Twill not makea any long
preface to explain it; but hope YOU will
answer in the same candid wav in which
ask it. Will you explain, please. the re-
fusal of my company at the last meeting
of the circle 2"
the reply.
am fully aware, Miss Leighton" !"
Gray went on in his pompous way, "that
you have that peculiar privilege of refus-
ing when and whom you please; but, in
view OF the fact that had become almost
infatuated to accompanying you home
previously, and you were apparently sat-
ls1ed or at least resigned to it, it occurs to
me that 1t Is due me that you tell me why.
without any previous sign or apparent
provocatiOn, you so positively declined
my company"
u cannot see that an explanation is
necessary, Mr.. Gray"
see that you exercise your preroga-
tive to the utmost. Let me saw further
please; and before doing so 1 saw this is
no time for diplomacy, but should trv to
be as candid as my thought, and will be
brief. When first met you, Miss Leigh
ton, the impression you created was de-
cidedly an indifferent one. As became
more fully acquainted with you, l became
conscious of the fact that you possessed
such intellectual qualities and feminine
graces as created in me decided interest
In my attendance upon you, YOU alwavs
appeared perfectly satisfied, and certainly
encouraged me by permitting nv con-
slant attentions. Now, if this was caused
by the charity of etiquette, it is certainly
of very peculiar species; if the spirit
which actuated you was that of couuette
you were wrong in leading a man to think
that the being he admired reciprocated
his own feelings"
didn't think it was so serious as that. Z"
said Maud, austerely.
fhat was just how serious it was with |
nae, said Mr.. Gray, land have been a |
1901 Tor ever allowing the weakness of the |
heart to run riot with my reason, with no |
gain but painful experience. There is n |
grim consolation in knowing that snch |
experiences are not repeated with me-"
Mr.. Gray, if have ever given vou |
cause to fancy my feelings toward Won |
more than friendly, did not intend to do |
SO, As for your experience fancy II |
will do you no HARM"
And why not, Miss Leighton Pn
l cannot answer you without giving
offence.n oe
will run the risk of that.n
Ihen, Mr.. Gray" and roguish smile
curved the girls lips, ''you are so intoler-
ably conceited and selfopinionated, so
disposed to contemptuously regard NV
sex, that 1t would serve you quite right If |
every woman you know should snub YOU
as you deserve to be snubbed. Yes. sir.
Goodbye, Mr.. GRAY Allow me