Smyrna times., 1884-04-30
g Miss Broadlands' Ruse.

much. If she had been simply pretty
or simply rich, it would not have been
so hard to bear, and they could have
forgiven her more easily.
Lovers? Ofcourse they were always
about her. Sending flowers and bon
bons, writing verses, and dedicating
symphonies to her charms.
"Quite natural that q girl with for
tune should not lack suitors," friend |
said to her one day. "How many do |
you think you would keep, dear, if
you were as poor as my girls?"
"Few, no doubt" she answered
gaily, but the shaft went home.
She became more Indifferent than
before; but this very indifference
piqued and pleased her admirers.
Every one of them believed himself
able to overcome it; they wanted all
the more what was out of their reach
it surrounded her with an atmosphere
of mystery-they could not under
stand her. Constant Stanley, however
flattered himself that he had penetrat-
ed her fine reserve, and perhaps this
was merely because Miss Broadlands
was nearer being in love with him
than with any one she had ever met,
since she half suspected that her per-
sonality attracted him, and not her
purse; that her money was but dross
in his eyes; because she was more re-
spectful to his batteries, did not laugh
over his half tender nonsense, and
toss it back to him with a pretty sar-
casm and raillery.
"If 1 am ever obliged to earn my
living" she said on one occasion, when
the subject of woman's work and
wages were under discussion, 81 shall
become a nurse"
Heaven grant that may be an in
valid at that time," said Constant.
"And l." put in another admirer,
"will be the attending physician"
"You could do something better
than that" Constant added aside,
"you could keep house for me-"
If everybody were only sincere"
she thought, regarding him, "and
never f1irted or talked to pass away
the time merely; if money were not
the root of evil!
Miss Broadlands was all alone in the
world, with her beauty and her money,
but she filled her splendid house with
company, or she passed the time at
some gay Summer resort with friends
sometimes she made a pilgrimage to
her man of business, Mr.. Stanhope,
living in q neighboring city, in order
to know how she stood, she said.
After her return from one of these
visits at one time it was observed by a
few sharp-sighted ones, that she nc
longer entertained as freely as before
presently she sold her saddle-horse.
81 am going to try walking" she ex
claimed. THE doctors think it il
healthier for me-"
"But you are the picture of health,
said Constant, with tender glance.
"Yes, but an ounce of prevention
you know, is better than a pound O
cure"
Presently it leaked out that she haC
sold lot from her ample garden, ant
one day the town was electrified t
find the Broadlands estate under thu
hammer. Miss Broadlands had gon
away some months before, and it wa
rumored that she was in q trainin,
school for nurses-a rumor which wa
confirmed when she returned to ente
hospital of the city in the capacity O
a nurse. Those who had grudged he
her fortune now said: "She is so prei
ty that pity is thrown away upon her
beauty is dover enough. No doubt
is hard to lose money, but it is harde
still never to have any to lose" An
her lovers? "She is so busy" the
said, 1--WE can not see her, unless W
fall i'll or go mad" However, ther
were no more flowers heaped upon he
verses and symphonies were no longC
inscribed to her name. She had passe
out of fashion. But Miss BroadlanC
was not discomforted. 1t was a ne,
world, this world of patients, wheI
she was a shining light. She ha
wearied of that other world of shal
lovers and fashion. Here she was S
cure; nobody could be tempted
make love to her ever again unless h
heart was in it.
Il II 4
Her room now was never withol
the flowers she loved best; sunshiI
seemed to have entered into the shaC
places of her life all at once. Heave
after all her misgivings, had reserv,
this happiness for her-Constant low,
her. "What a thing love is, wor
without end"
When she walked in the Park {
recreation, strangers turned and look
after her and people whispered, "PrC
ty Miss Broadlands; poverty agre
with her wonderfully" There W
IN plenty of romance about her which still
ulated the imagination at this time,
if she were keeping some delicio
secret in reserve.
of Constant Stanley had been painti
.b her as Guinevere, in his picture inten
all ed for the approaching exhibition.
I'd ST will make that smile immortal
'"' he said, at one of the sittings; st
light of those eyes shall shine for ae
81 on my canvass; that perfect bloc
Cd, shall bless the earth when you and
dear, are disembodied." "Come,'
changing his key" when will Y
have done with this hateful task
yours? am jealous of your patien
rec l shall go mad myself, presently
~, order to receive your ministrations.'
"OW she said, smiling; "you I,
like madman already"
e, "Bewitched by your charms, / sh
= need but two more sittings-only u
WAoh ~ MNAC Il WISH
might sit here together for @ons, y
and III painting you posing. / hs
half a mind TO rub the whole thing
lor. and begin again, just for the love
and painting it over, of keeping you h
'bie before me. Do you know that \
are more beautiful than everP" A
he drew his brush across the canv
as he spoke, obliterating the immol
'n' smile, the light in the wide-open ey
the bloom on the oval cheek.
Foolish boylp she said, "you ,
A. turn my head. If am beautiful,
member that it can not last. Look
old Mrs. Bangs-she was beauty
her day; look at her parched skin
her dim, cavernous eyes, at her shru
en- tissues and muscles. Beauty
only morning mist--it disappears.
shall change my allegiance for rancor
because fortune changes her side7
Or shall i, like vessel at anchor