Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-11-27

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l noticed that my friends usual
self-possession had deserted him; and
though he. spoke to Mrs. Robbins, his
eyes were fixed on the young girl, and
he prolonged the conversation pur-
posely, / fancied. When, at last he
tore himself away, we had discovered
that the young lady's name was
Maggie, that she was living with her
cousins in the country, and had only
come home for few days.
"What a sweet grill" muttered Ger
aid. what a pity she is not of good
family Has she not wonderfully
sweet and beautiful expression?"
1 quite agreed with him, but ban
tered him not little by reminding him,
every time he alluded to Maggie, of
his family pride, and the solemn VOW /
had SO often heard him make, that the
girl he loved must be his equal in birth
and position. i
3 We returned from Long Branch late
that evening, and heard Maggie's sweet
voice singing an air from "La Som
nambula" as we assembled the stairs.
l noticed during the next few days
that Gerald found great many rea-
sons for going to speak to Mrs. Rob
binsin her apartments. Nothing could
exceed his ingenuity in discovering
small items which needed her atten-
ton. Then it suddenly had occurred
to him that he had heard during the
last few days, that she and her daugh-
ter were fond of going to the theatre,
and he was thoughtful enough to pro-
vide tickets for them, taking care to
reserve seat near them for himself.
Gerald tried to laugh off my insinu-
ations as to his being in love with
Miss Maggie, but the fact was quite
apparent, and knew the struggle be-
tween pride and affection which pre-
vented him from declaring his attach
ment.
An event soon occurred which
brought matters to crisis. A tall,
fine-looking man called at our studio
one morning and seemed particularly
struck with some of Gerald's pictures.
In the course of conversation he in
formed him that he was already the
possessor of his two best pictures,
which three years before had made
sensation in the exhibition at the
Academy. After purchasing a little
sketch my friend had just completed
he left us, and we heard him stop and
speak to Mrs. Robbins on his way down
stairs. But I was greatly surprised
and Gerald horribly dismayed when we
saw him ten minutes afterward enter
his carriage with Maggie and drive
away.
Gerald paced up and down the room
in fury of jealousy. My curiosity
was considerably aroused as to the
nature of Maggie's acquaintance with
the stranger.
II am determined to ask her why
she went out with the fellow, and who
he is, directly she returns" growled
Gerald.
"Have you any right to be inquisi-
tive?" | ventured to suggest.
Perhaps not, except that she knows
l love her better than any one else, and
that intended asking her to be my
wife," he retorted, passionately.
"What! marry girl in her station ?"
was the question which rose naturally
to my lips.
sob, hang family pride in this easel
l am how rich enough to fling it aside
for once and marry girl who will, 1
know, make me happy. Besides,
Maggie is perfect lady. Yet 1 do
not understand why she drives out with
that stranger" retorted Gerald.
The lover sat anxiously at the win
dow watching for her return. An hour
passed and he grew gradually more
wretched. At length the carriage
drove up to the door. 1t contained no
Maggie, but the coachman handed a
note to Mrs. Robbins. Gerald rushed
eagerly down stairs and exclaimed, as
he met the housekeeper:
"Where is Maggie gone to-"
For answer she placed the note in
his hand. 1t was written in haste, and
was from Maggie. 1t ran as follows:
DEAR Mr.. DE VoIssY: Allow me
to thank you for your kind attention
during my stay in New York. l have
been Unexpectedly obliged to return to
Long Branch, and cannot, therefore,
have the pleasure of bidding you good
by except by letter. s. ~
Yours, truly, MAGGIE"
This was all the information poor
Gerald could CLEAN concerning the girl
he loved, for Mrs. Robbins would
answer no questions,an when at length
he spoke of his affection for her daugh-
ter her face expanded into smiles, and
she told him not to lose hope, because
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