The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-12-22

" He has no music in his soul, but he is
| rich. and he has always loved you, May.
| You know | can never marry you. The
eagle does not mate with the dove. Yes,
May, marry your black browed lover, and he
can blow the organ bellows while l play
divine symphonies for the world to hear
| and applaud. Music-mad, do they say. Oh,
it is sweet madnessl are you cryingl l
| can play tears and sighs! l love them--ha!
haw
Then she left him and went down stairs
| with heavy, heavy heart. There were
the girls and the young men who had called
| for their sisters and sweethearts. Among
them was Hiram Wright, who had neither
sister nor sweetheart there.
Hes waiting for you," said Kate Bios
som, tucking her little gold thimble into her
pocket. ~ wouldn't lose II for any
thing" she admitted in Mays ear, "because
George Simpson sent il to me from Paris,
and it has our initials on the band There's
Hiram Wright waitingso see you home"
| Don't leave me, Kate, dear" said May,
eagerly, "walk that way with me. / can
not bear his company just now"
| The church was prettily trimmed with its
arches and wreaths Of evergreen, and the
| .
ut the evening service. The girls hurried
about getting their wraps and hoods on
| for the air was cold-and chatting alto
gether as they did 50.
IL hope old Michel will have it good and
warm this evening"" said one, as she shiv-
| cred about.
"Theres Maurice upstairs, girls; he
mustn't stay there" suggested Alice Baker.
L., TO- k<,r l,,,
| whispered another, fearful that May would
Overhear her. "Poor fellow they say he's as
poor as q church mouse since he's given up
his business, and gone to studying music"
May did hear, and smiled to herself ut the
cOngruity Of the statement. What il he
were, she had enough for both If only that
were needed. But an unbalanced mindi
Who could restore the treasure of intellect
that he had 80 nearly LOST
On their way home, Hiram Wright man
aged to walk by Mays side, and whenever
there was an opportunity poured into her
ear his insidiOus words. At last, stung by
her silent contempt, he asked her taunting-
ly what she had done with her 'mad lover"
He must indeed have believed that all
was lost, when he could 80 far forget him
self, but he was not prepared for the superb
anger Of the woman he loved and who now
openly scorned him.
MAD he may be, as YOU say" she retort-
ed, in loud, firm voice, "but call Heaven
to witness that would rather die with him
than live with you" ...r..-.
The young man persisted as il she had not
spoken.
why do you refuse the love of a man
who can give you every thing, for one who
can give you nothingl What comparison is
there between U.S."
"None; or If you insist there Is one, that
can give you You are in love with your
self, but Maurice is in love with me. 1t is
disloyalty to him to even speak his name to
you"
"And YET" he sneered, che leaves you to
come home in my company, while he fol-
lows the promptings Of within, and makes
an idol Of an idea, chimera of the BRAIN"
we will not discuss him further, and
after this do not wish your'further &C
quaintance, Mr.. Wright" said May, with
dignity
"Do you mean what you say, May
Allcnl"
81 do; you have proved any thing but q
friend to Maurice Dawson since calamity
overlook him. You knew that was his
promised wife-that this very Christmas eve
we were to have been married. but for this
unhappy visitation. Yet you force your
unwelcome attentions upon me, when you
would not dare to address me if Maurice
were himself"
Have you fnishedw inquired the
young man, in husky voice, "be-
cause if you have / will go, and
if l can help it-never see your face
again. And, as for your mad must
clan, you may think less of him when he
goes 10 mad house, where he is certain to
end his career"
Poor May. She walked into her home
with dilated eyes, and such an expression
of despair on her face, that her mother rose
from her chair by the open fire, and de-
manded in % frightened voice:
"What is It'll What has happened, May,
to make you look like that!'
Aud May sObbed it out on her mothers
shoulders, ending with the despairing re-
frain
"And this is Christmas eve, when every
one ought to be so happyr'
May" said Mrs. Allen, gently, tive are
not put into this life only to secure happi-
ness. The great Founder of Christmas
came into the world to suffer for others.
Can you not think less of yourself. and of
Maurice, and wait patiently until there is a
change. Sometimes, my child, the darkest
hour is just before the dawn"
Il will try, mother" said May, sadly. 81
wish now l had not spoken as did to
Hiram Wright. But he looked 30 strong
and triumphant and seemed to rejoice so ut
the misfortunes of poor Maurice that
| could not bear IL. only wish may never
, see him again"
1t was the echo of his own wish But on
his way home Hiram met the old sexton of
tho church hurrying or as fast ~ his
rheumatic old limbs would bear him.
~ promised my gal would look in on
her an the babies on Christmas eve" he
said; 'now you're q smart young man, an
; would We mind being bit obligin' like,
| and lookin' after the church door tonight
The fire is all right in the furnace. Only
when ye come out, mind ye don't lock emmy
: one in"
Hiram had it on his mind that he would
hand the key which the old man thrust on
him TO the first one he met who was likely
TO be at the church that evening; then he
: there and he wanted TO show her how little
he cared for her--he would sit with Alice
Baker and see her home.
But Alice Baker was not there. Pretty
Kate Blossom was as saucy and piquant as
| ever, and May Allen looking more CON-
posed and happy than he had seen her for
some time. He tried in vain to guess the
: reason why.
/ He would have sneered had he known.
i He was not accustomed TO square his own