The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1885-03-12
ONLY FILTRATION.
BY FRANK A. SUTTON

Dk rhANh n. 0UIION
"No, there is no engagement be-
tween US. ] should think not!
Why, Joe, / am only eighteen; I
shan't be engaged for the next
FIVE years. / am not going to tie
myself down to domestic life yet,
l assure you"
"But, Nettie, you are wander-
ing from the subject / cannot
think you are utterly heartless,
yet l frankly own that you pain
me by this dreadful spirit OF Co
coquetry yon display. / am sure
Graham Curtis"
Now, Joe, don't be tiresome!
1t is only Irritation. We dance,
chat, ride together, but that is
nothing. l Airt quite as extern
slvely with a dozen other gentle
tlemen."
"But, Nettie," and a very grave
look came over Joseph Lawson's
fine face, Graham loves YOU"
so they all do, if | ara to be-
iieve their protestatioDs."
$50 my friend, the man to hon
or and love above all other men,
is to be the plaything Of a wo-
mans caprice? Sister, be careful,
you are playing a dangerous
game"
The crimson blood dyed the
cheeks Of The little beauty as she
ran laughingly away from her
bro her, saying
Il will come for the rest Of the
sermon tomorrow, Joe"
One long stride rhe bro her
took, and, prisonlng the it'll bru-
nette in his strong arms, he took
her to the sofa and drew her down
to a seat beside him.
"No"-and his face grew sad,
very sad-"you shall hear my SER
mon to-day. Did you know, Net
til, why | am now. at thirty-fve
years of age, a bachelor, with
lonely, aching hearth"
LONELY, Joe?" And Nettie,
now grave as himself, laid her
head on her brothers broad chest.
Eyes, Nettie. Even my little
sister, dearly as l love her, cannot
fill all my heart"
"Tell me about itr'
at was twelve years ago, when
I came home from college, that [
first met aura Lee"
"Mrs. Holiness"
Eyes; don't interrupt me. 1
will not tell you how Slowly my
heart woke to the sense of love,
of the gradual growth of her i'm
age in it till it filled it entirely.
Parents, home, sister, all became
second to the one hope of my life.
met her often. We moved in
the same circles in society, and at
every party | could dance and
chat with her. Her beauty at
tracted; her intellect Interested;
her sweet, gracious manner fasci-
mated me. | was young then, and
truthful, and when she let her lit
tie hand linger in mine, and turn
ed from others to converse with
me; when she let her large, dark
eyes, full Of soft light, dwell. thor
oughly on my face, l believed
that the devotion [ lavished on
her was understood, returned.
You know that | am not an impul-
sive man; but [ cannot forget ca
silly, nor recover readily from Sc
we're blow. Day after day the
love grew into my heart. | felt
50 secure, looking into her lovely
face, hearing her winning tones
soften for my ear, feeling the an
swering pres ure her hand gave
mine, that it was not long before
! spoke my love.
Zone evening" the strong mans
chest heaved, and Nottie could
hear how the rapid blood comsed
through his veins, and made has
heart beat quickly under her ear
zone evening we we're alone in
the parlor. She had been sing
ing, and the rich, full notes seem
cd to hang lovingly around me,
and | spoke my love,
"She drew away from the arm
that would have caressed her, and
said, with light laugh
why, ,Gr. Lawson, did you not
know | was ensagedY
'Engaged?" | cried.
eyes, she replied. Mr..
Holmes has been away since 1
knew you, bat | thought that you
knew of our engagement.
81 knew this was false. Fear
| full of losing the attention she was
accustomed to, she kept her en-
pagement secret, that in society
she might still reign as ono free
to be won. | said to her,
"'Forgive me that / have an
noyed you
a'Oh, mol Not at alll' she said
Il shall always be happy to see
you. | am sorry that there was
epy mistake, but 7 thought YOU