The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-07
MY YOUNG FRIEND.

six. People say am older; but that is
my real ag, ] assure you, dear reader.
NV husband. Of whom / was very
fond. died about two years ago, leaving
me a comfortable income, and in his
will made no conditions about my not
marrying again.
Before he died he told me that he did
not think it would be fair TO ask me
not to marry again. as / was left alone
in the world, without children or any
thing to care for. He would leave me
free TO do as | liked.
OF course, at the time when was
overcome with grief, / said ! would not
marry. / could never like anyone
again as much as poor William-and
really thought so at the time.
But time. as we all know, heals all
wounds; and a year after his death /
took off my mourning, and went out
into the world.
was in good health and still pos
sessed of good looks. Why, therefore,
should ! fret away my life in useless re-
Crets? Yes, | went out in the world,
and met Lionel Fairfax.
To see him was to love him. My
heart was entrapped; and / knew that
if / could not make him love me, ]
should never know peace OF mind
again.
He was tall, fair. MISUNDERSTANDING,
a good conyersationalist, and could
dance and sing eXquisitcly.
All the girls that he came in contact
with fell in love with the dear fellow,
and this only made me the more
anxious to win him; 50 / put on my
most winning manner, as widows only
know how.
Girls called me nasty old thing for
trying to win Lioncl-but what cared /
for thisP Their spitcful remarks about
my using powder and paint and false
hair, only made me more determined
TO cut them all out. They had the adj
vantage of youth, but | knew better
than they how to make myself pleasant
and agreeable.
At length my efforts were rewarded.
Shall i ever forget the evening when
Lionel proposed to me! The memory
of that night will never fade from my
mind, if | were to live a hundred years.
Tired Of dancing and the heat of the
ballroom, / proposed a walk IN the
grounds. which consisted of a small
garden at the back of a villa in BriX-
ton.
Only too glad to humor me, Lionel
Fairfax led me out of the room, and en-
vious eyes followed me as | leant
languidly on his arm.
You are not strong said Lionel, rs
we passed through the French window
on to the lawn. ''1hc excitement of
dancing and the heat of the room is
too much for your delicate constitu-
ton"
''No; / am not strong returned.
with a sigh; ''but am so fond of music
and dancing"
"Anyone with a soul must be fond Of
music said Lionel. IF had my will,
you should not have one wish ungrati-
fed You should live in an atmosphere
of music, sunshine, and flowers"
"You are very kind, Mr.. Fairfax, l
said, as | seated myself on the garden
bench, '.but if | had all the beautiful
surroundings You mention, | should
still be unhappy
"And why unhappy asked Lionel,
as he took my hand and squeezed it.
Because because" l said. Il have
no one to love" and overcome by my
feelings | burst into tears.
''No one to lovePN repeated Lionel,
giving my hand another gentle squeeze.
Il am sad and lonely woman" j
replied, casting down my eyes upon
the path mo one would care if
were to die tomorrow"
Don't say that, Mrs Page
Louisa" cried Lionel Fairfax in an agi-
tated voice. There is one person in
the world that loves you-who, | may
say, absolutely adores the very ground
you walk upon.
"Surely you must be mistaken, Mr..
Lionel
Mistaken cried Lionel, excitedly
There is no mistake, Mrs. Page.
repeat, there is one person in the
world who loves you.
''Who is she?" l asked, innocently
'Sher' he cried, in surprise. at is
not a woman that loves YOU, but one o.
the opposite sex. Cannot you guess tC
whom l allude?n
mo, | cannot ! replied, looking
much puzzled.
Then behold your adorer at YOU
feet" said Lionel. kneeling down be
fore me on the gravel path and looking
up into my face pleadingly. 1.-The
first time | gazed upon your face | wa
ensnared. Since then my affection ha,
grown day by day. | can keep the
secret no longer My love for yo,
must be proclaimed. For Heaven
sake let me know your answer. Yot
have it in your power to make me til,
happiest or the most miserable of men
VIII you?-is it too much for me to ex
pect? Am too bold. too presumptuou
in hoping that you will make me tn,
partner of your joys and sorrows-you
husband?"
This is so unexpected | said
"Really, Mr.. Fairfax, when / came GU
into this garden, l never had the leas
idea of this proposal of marriage"
1T may be unexpected, but is it un
welcome?' cried Lionel, lookin!
handsomer than he had ever looked be
fore. ''Do not keep me in suspense
my angel! Let me know my fate.
your answer is unfavorable, you vii
never see my face again. / will g,
far, far away. and bury my sorrow, il
distant land.
do not CO. replied
Then You do love me; | am accept
cdr cried Lionel joyously. This i
indeed happy moment. Oh, Louisa
how little deserve this joy? am in
deed unworthy of such being as You
Believe me, shall be ever grateful t,
you for this joy, the supreme felicit,
You have given me"
''Lionel, L have always loved you"
returned. and | buried nv blushinl
face in his breast, and as l did So tn,
soft wall of music stole out upon tn,
night air through the open French
windows.
II never thought that life contained
such happiness as this" cried Lionel
kissing my hand. You will be m,
guiding star in life.n Then he added
as he slipped his arm round my waist
his voice filled with supreme anxiety
People will say all kinds of wicked
things about me; but you will not be
lieve them, will you, Louisa?n
What will they say?''
'They will only say that love yo,
for your money, said Lionel Fairfax
''but you won't believe them, will you?'
anxiously.
"Nevcrr'
s'They will say all kinds of things,
went on Lionel by the bye, is you,
money settled on yourself. dear, ant
how much Is it? Not that / come fol
money; but / like to know that m,
dearest win be comfortable should
like her to live on two pounds week
for that is what / earn as grocer
assistant at my uncle's shop
nHow good, how noble, how dis
ntercstedT cried. my late hus
band has left his money to do just as
like with, and mentioned the sum
which was evidently more than Lione
expected
Y s4Your late husbands confidence II
&ou does you great credit. BY the bye
Via, could yon lend me ten pounds