The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-10-23
made his home beautiful because he

Dul you were never actually De-
trothed," spoke the old lady, pitifully.
Not in words, mother; but we un-
derstood each other, and. No matter
its over and past, now," said Gilbert,
sadly.
Mrs. Dawson pressed his hand with true
maternal sympathy.
"My poor boy" she whispered CRY
and forget her"
can't do that, mother. But" with
a sudden resolve, "Pll go away from
here I'll accept my Uncle Ravenburn's
invitation to 60 with him to those old
Mexican cities, where he is to sketch and
paint I'm not much of All artist myself,
but can manage to while the time away
somehow. vt all events. | can't stay
here and see Lillian married to that pom
pous fellow, Darling -
He had not been gone ten minutes to
the village, after that monentous conver-
sation, when there came the tiniest Of
knocks to the door, and in response to
Mrs. Dawson's g Come i.,h shnr' entered
Miss Lillian Bourne herself.
Fresh from the spring woods, with a
basket OF the pale pink, trailing arbutus
But she paused on the threshold as she
saw the hardening lines around the mouth
of Giibert's mother.
"Am in the way she asked tim
idly. Have | come at the wrong
time =
"Pray, walk in" said Ms. Dawson,
trying to simulate the cordality which
her soul refused to offer to tlc Girl who
had broken her sons heart
Z" found these arbutus-stars in the
woods said she. Il knew you were
fond Of them. May | put item in a sau-
Ger OF water for you:"
Mrs. Dawson assented sill without
much warmth of manner.
6 / am much obliged to YOU" said she,
coldlv.
II hope Gilbert is well,' said Lillian,
the color flaming hotly up into her
cl eek.
Quite we'll, | thank you, said Mrs.
Dawson He is going to Mexico with
my brother Mr.. Kavenburn, next week.
and is consequently very busy, because
why. what il the matter Miss Bourne -
For Lillian had grown deadl~ pale, and
uttered little cry.
" It's-it's my TOOTH" she faltered
cold air makes it Jump so dreadtully! |
think III 90 home and put a little oil Of
peppermint on it."
And 50 Lillian slipped away, and cried
ali the way home behind her veil
But by the time she reached her own
little room, however, sorrow had given
place to anger.
What have | done that he should
treat me so:' she asked herself, with in
dignant heart beats.
And then she gathered mp all his pres
ents-the bunch of withered rosebuds,
tied with the faded blue rlboon, the little
agate cross, the copy Of Aldrich's
Poems" the peach-stone basket that he
had carved himself, and the glittering
crystals which he had brought her from
Diamond Island, and the two or three
notes and letters he had written her at
one time and another.
q will send them back she de-
clared :" He may take them to Mexico
if he likes don't want them any
longerr'
BY a strange coincidence, however, as
she was setting forth to the village post
office with the neatly-tied packet, she met
Mr.. Dawson himself He stopped. She
stayed her footsteps also They both
colored, celestial rosy red.
g / am very glad met you before you
went to Mexico :" said Miss Bourne,
haughtlly.
care vou Z" said Gilbert Dawson, try
ing his best to appear like a statue Of ice.
81 wish to return You these things
said Lillian. GOT course, they are of no
consequence, but thought perhaps you
would like them back again
"Thanks.' said Gilbert, stiffiy. you
were right 1t was exactly what | was
going TO ask you for
"It's pity You ever gave them to me,
since they meant so little said LILY, with
ATS hardly worth while to discuss
that question now," observed Gilbert.
8 | can only hope that you will be very
happy with Squire Darling. And"
"I ?" cried Lily" with Squire Oar
ling: Why, what on earth have l got
to do with Squire Darling 2"
-Arcll YOU cIiSdSch W Hllll dSheh
Gilbert
"I:" echoed Lily, once again.
Lilly, don't trifie with me-" sternlv
uttered Dawson a am in earnest
Have YOU promised to be Rufus Darling's
wife, or have you not:"
"Of course / haven't said Lily, be
tween tears and laughter. How could
| when he never asked me 2" And if he
had"
eyes :" cried Gilbert, with kindling
ewes. "And if he had
81 should have said no" whispered
Lily.
"'Whv ?" demanded Gilbert imper-
ouslv.
Lily hung down her pretty head.
" Because. she faltered-" because |
don't like him Because love somebody
else''
Something there was in her look and
tone that set Gilbert Dawson's pulses to
leapng madly through his veins.
Lily he cried" my Lily-tell me
whom 1t is that you love!"
And she answered in a paroxysm of
bushes
"You, Gilbert -
Miss Lorinda Larkins and her friends
were utterly amazed when they heard
that Gilbert and Lily were to be married
az soon as Miss Peckham could get the
wedding dress ready.
does beat ALL We all s'posed as much