Daily Republican., 1884-09-20
ORIGINAL.
HER CHOICE.

ORIGINAL. ar an...-.
HER CHOICE.
ny RYE RossIE.
The idea Of my marrying common
farmer " exclaimed Melvine De- Laung,
shrnggiDg her shapely shoulders after
the fashion of former French In.
structress, Madame Michaud. "Why
Bessie, you must be crazy TO suggest
such thing. shall certainly have
lost my senses when anything 80 chi.
merical az that en- ters my BRAIN"
Then why do You allow him to
call here 10 often and accept his invita-
tons to ride 30 freq uently ?" inquired
Bessie, quietly, who, seated In the wide
window ledge, WAS engaged In the
homely but useful occupation Of footing
stock ings.
Melvine laughed-a lsdy-like, must
cal laugh, and arched her beautiful,
black eyebrows In amazement ct her
sisters simplicity.
Because, silly little goose, one
must have amusement of some sort, +"
she said, and 1t is 80 stupid down here
II this quiet, country plsce-I confess
an glad that our year of mourning
for poor papa Is 40 nearly over. am
tired Of these dreary black dresses and
sombre grapes. Don't look 10 shocked,
my sanity little sister; am only
frank, and frankness ought to DO re-
freshing in this age Of hypocrisy.
| "Candor ceases to be virtue when
1t Ii the expression of unwomanly
thoughts, said Bessie, gravely. And
you really mean that you encourage
John Courtenay only for your own
selfish amusement. Well, wouldn't
have believed 1t from other lips than
yours"
Bessie spoke warmly. The crystal
purity of her own soul revolted &C the
| want Of wOmanliness In her sisters.
Melvine rose from the big rocker
where she had been sitting and walked
over TO the large, old-fashioned pier
glass at the opposite end Of the room,
and there took prolonged inventory of
her charms.
What she noted was small head,
| p oised proudly on graceful, sloping
shoulders, and crowned by ripping
wealth Of chestnut hair. which swept
back from a brow, broad, white and
polished features that were faultless
eyes that we're as blue rs the sunny
skies above, and q complexion rivalinR
the Gala lily In its perfect pallor.
As she turned away her audible con-
clusion was Ny bcanty would adorn
millionaire's palace; what folly to|
waste 1t in the hum.drum existence Of
a farmers wife!"
Re seating herself beside her sister
she continued, gravely:
Bessie, you and l are two entirely
different people; you are modest, sweet
and domestic; 1 am ambitious, and
fond Of ease, luxury and the beautiful
things Of life. II John Courtenay
could give me these essentials to my
happiness, tell you frankly that when
he offered should accept him, for de.
spite his calling he Ia not by any means
uncultured, aud he IL handsome and
independent in manner. i probably
admire bin more than any man have
ever seen, and IL circumstances per.
nitted might love him truly, but he is
poor and am poor. 80 you see, ma,
belle Rusticite, marriage for us Is out
of the question.
MEL" said Bessie, In her sweet,
serious way, "you may think now
that fashion and gilded cage will
secure you happiness, but sometime
there will I'LL you o deep regret
that you ever stitied the promptings
OF your heart, for you know you love
John Courtenay."
her elder sister, "how you talk you
might be sixty instead Of sixteen" Then
she danced lightly out OF the room, and
a moment later, in the apartment over
head, Bessie heard the clear contraltJ
ring ont in the refrain
!" Fen while the storm is beating, Memory
still repeating Diavlo Diavlo !"
A fortnight later, when Bessie came
home from the village post-office, she
handed Melvine dainty, cream-tinted
missive, which was eagerly seized upon
by that young lady and read.
How delightful abe cried, on fin.
ishing its persual. Aunt Letitia has
invited me to spend the season with
her at Newport. She will provide my
wardrobe, and we are to start within q
week. She intends to give me q
glimpse OF fashionable society she
says ali, 1t will be o glimpse of Para
dise."'
Foolish child" said her mother,
looking up from her newspaper, and
Smiling with gratified pride on her
lovely daughter, You are entirely too
enthusiastic. hope you will not ne
glect your opportunities or allow any
previous entanglenents prevent your
making good match. 1t is 80 very
good of your aunt Letitia to give you
such a chance don't disappoint her."
A shadow crossed Bessie's bright
face
Mamma IL as worldly as Mel, she
thought. Poor John Courtenay."
That night out on the wide, cool
porch, sweet with the scent of June
roses and woodbine and bright with
| the silvery radiance of the moon, John
Courienay in straight forward, manly
way, offered Melvine D.Launy the de-
votiun of his honest heart, and she-de-
clined 1t.
"Is it because you do not love me?"
no querried, his voice a tritie husky.
Then as she made no reply he caught her
hand in his and cried
cit is because 1 Am poor / All,
know have no home suitable TO offer
you darling, but II you will only prom
ise 10 wait for me l will work, oh, 80
faithfully, to secure one. You will PROM
Use, won't you?"
.. 1t is impossible |" she said firmly.
4" 1t would be years before you could
achieve wealth enough to crafty
my desires. cannot afford to wait 80
long for possibility you must see
1t as do, l know"
Still. holding her hand, he drew her
out to the extreme edge of the porch,
where the moonlight fell full on her
proud, cold loneliness, making 1t doubly
beautiful to the man gaz ng 30 earnest
ly at It,
SO long was the gaze he hent upon
her, and 10 earnest, that at last she
ldrew back, half fearful.