The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-10-19
Your affectionate ward,
FLORA IDLEWooD PAYNE .


"Humphp' calculated Rex, re-
peating over the words-":now that
my school days are over"
He could not imagine how in the
world he ought to dispose of her;
heretofore he could always settle the
thought by keeping her at school;
now that the school days were over,
he stared the dilemma helpleesly in
the face, unable to settle the matter
in his mind.
The stage had logged slowly over
twenty miles or more of territory,
when, at small wayside inn, the
coach came to full stop, the driver
jumped down off his seat and pulled
open the door for lady to enter,
and after depositing the female and
innumerahle boxes opposite Rex,
closed the door with a bang,
mounted the box, and the old stage
numbered slowly onwards.
Rex was too thoroughly a con-
irmed bachelor even at thirty to
care for the society of females, yet
he was a courteous gentleman, and
endeavored to help his lonely COM
panion to while away the tedious
hours of their journey by pleasant
conversation.
He was delighted to find the lady,
whom he judged to be about twenty
summers, well acquainted with that
part of the country, especially in
the vicinity and with the inmates of
Wildwood Seminary.
Although he could but indistinct-
ly see his companions face by the
fiaring coach lamps, the thought
struck him that he had never beheld
a sweeter or more womanly face; he
quite regretted the time he should
reach Wildwood Seminary. Per
haps she could suggest a way out of
the difficulty; at any rate Rex con-
cluded to confide in her.
at is quite a serious position"
assented the lady, with q silyery
laugh; "bnt can't you find some
handsome young man-as they do
in most well-regulated stories-to
marry her, and thus relieve you of
so troublesome a burden"
Rex laughed.
"She might not be willing to be
so summarily disposed of. Her
father and mother died when Flora
was scarcely more than six, and
when they placed her in my charge
over twelve years ago, promised
that her future should be my dear
est thought. 1 did not imagine the
responsibility then I am just begin
ming to feel now. If l were a mar
ried man 1 could take her to my
home"
eff this troublesome ward would
consent to CO." assented the lady.
For the first time in his life a
strange yearning for home of his
own came crowding over his lonely
bachelor heart, as he listened to this
low, sweet-voiced stranger sitting
opposite him in the stage-coach.
For the first time in Rex's life he
was quite in love, and he fell to
speculating whether or not she was
to be won.
perhaps your parents live in this
lonely districtY' ventured Rex.
"No," answered the lady calmly,
''my parents are dead"
"Your husband then, perhaps?"
81 am not married"
They we're only a few simple
words, but they made Rex's heart
beat with an exultant emotion he
had never experienced before.
II am connected" continued the
lady quietly, "with the seminary
which contains your troublesome
ward"
Then your destination is Wild
wood Seminary too," said Rex,
scarcely repressing his intense salts
faction.
Rex was always impulsive. He
made up his mind as he sat there to
propose to his companion. Never
venture, never win, was Rex motto.
He confessed to himself that he was
head-over- ears in love.
"Supposing," said Rex, after a
short pause in the conversation,
you were in my place, and felt a
great interest in lady, deep, ear
nest love, and felt that she, among
all women whom you had met, was
the one destined to make your life
happy, what would you say to her?''
Just exactly what you have said
to me-sim ply tell her So" said the
lady, with a little How, musical