The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-04-16

So the gay season went on. The lash
of viols, cornets and trombones made
musical answer to the diapason of the
+. waves grim old dowagers played cards
battered beaux smoked their cigars and
strove to rejuvenate themselves once
more in the fragrance of the sea air !;
pretty girls firted; handsome cavaliers
held fans and bouquets, and newspaper
correspondents invented all sorts OF facts
for the New York and Philadelphia
daily press. And as time went by, a
rumor gained credence to the effect that
Uncle Barnabas Brabazon was ousting
his nephew from the affections of the
beautiful Miss Vail
"There 2" said Mrs. Vail, her witch
like countenance assuming radiant ex
preston. "Here it is in black and white.
An offer of marriage! My dear, you'll
| be the richest woman south of Mason and
Dixon's line.
Adrienne, in lovely dishabillc of white
cashmere and rose-pink ribons, sat look
ing at the letter with something like
dismay upon her countenance.
"Write and accept at once," urged
Mrs. Vail.
What ! that old man"
cold man ~ screamed Mrs. Vail. "The
| richest planter in Louisiana. Why, child,
every diamond that he wears is fortune
| in itself"
But | don't love him." pleaded Ad-
rienne, in low voice.
Love-bahn' screeched the old lady,
what does love amount to? A little
sugar and honey, few sweet meats, and
Gov nf Etn /
made love match, and see what drudg-
ing career mine has been. Adrienne,
don't be fool. You will never have
another such chance as this"
Still Adrienne hesitated.
Mammal she said, 81 am engaged
to Allan, and-I love him. And | will
be his wife,
But, child, don't you see what ruin
that will bring upon us 2" breathlessly
cried Mrs. Vail ALLAN hasn't a penny
of his own, and if he Otfends his uncle
He can work for living, mamma,
like other men,"
Work-work for living" snarled
the old lady, displaying set Of yellow
teeth that would have done credit to a
hyena. "And you live in fiat, and do
up your own laces in the washbowl to save
the laundress' bill, and turn your own
silk dresses and darn your husbands
stockings, to Tighten the expenses-you
that have u chance to button your gown
Mamma cried .Adrenne, "what
would life in palace be worth without
the man you love won't marry old Mr..
Brabazon, and | will marry Allan if |
have to live in barracks with him, or ride
around the world in baggage wagon -
And this was the end of Miss Wallis
mercenary" career. She wrote a reso-
lutte little note to Mr.. Brabazon, while
her mother indulged in good, old-fash-
ioned fit of Mysteries. The note was
worded as follows:
6" like you very much, but | loved
Allan long before I ever saw you, and
don't think | can be happy with any one
but Allan so, if you please Mr.. Braba-
zon, | must decline your kind offer. And
pray-pray don't be any more angry than
you can help"
Mr.. Brabazon read the little tear
stained note, and folding it grlmly up,
went across 10 the hotel where his nephew
was staying.
"Well, lad said he, "I have offered
myself-myself, mind, the richest man in
Louisiana-to Adrienne Vail"
"Cncle ~
Allan started to his feet, turning alter
nately red and pale.
And she has-refused me %
The yound man was deadly white now.
He scarcely knew what he feared or hoped
he only felt the intense relief of know
ing that Adrienne was still true to him.
"My own true love-" he muttered be-
tween his teeth; my little darkeyed
jewel If she had played me false, uncle,
believed l would have been tempted to
suicide :"
Umph-umph !" grunted Uncle Bar
ney. " Love-love! How these young
people talk! And what, may venture
to ask, do you expect to live on ~
81 can work, Uncle Barney, for her
sake" said Allan, bravely.
every WE'LL" said Uncle Barney
Let's 60 and tell her So
!Adrienne was looking lovelier than
ever, with flushed cheeks, eyes glittering
with excitement and rose-red lips.
GLOW is this, young woman 2" de-
manded Uncle Barnabas. Every one
at Atlantic City told me you were for
tune-hunter And yet I've offered you
fortune, and you have up and down de-
clined it,
"Because loved Allan better than all
the gold of California ~ said Adrienne,
with dropping eyelashes.
"Come here and kiss me, my DEAR"
said Uncle Barnabas "No, you need not
be afraid, shall not make love to you
any more Pve lived to be sixty years
old without marrying, and | wouldn't
wed the finest woman alive. If you
hadn't refused me should have run off
to the Sandwich Islands to escape matri-
mony."
Adrienne opened her lovely eyes very
wide.
"Then, why did you ask me? ?" she
said
"Simply, my dear, to make certain
that you loved Allan for himself alone,
not because he was the nephew of his rich
uncle And I'm satisfied now"
81 do love him." said Adrienne, with
tears in her eyes. "And I love you, too,
Uncle Barney-only in different sort
of way"
"Pm quite satisfied, my DEAR" said
Uncle Barnabas. "And l shall take it
upon myself to see that neither of you
rorish of wont -