The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-02-04
She had no longer any appetite

want 10 apOlOSiZe IOf naffu
unconscionsly taken possession oi
your little parlor. It makes me fee
like an interleper."
"Who told you that it was my
parlor?' asked Jessie, trying to
steel her heart against him, think
ing all the same what handsome
man he was with his blue eyes and
tawny beard.
"Never mind who told me-" said
George Leith with a smile. 81 know
l have unconsciously deprived you
of your piano ever since / have
been here and l want you to for
give me-"
at is who ought to ask your
forgiveness returned Jessie. 81
have often stolen in to have an hour
with my piano when you have been
out"
She smiled and colored as she
spoke, unable to resist the winning
sweetness of his voice and manner.
They stood watching the moon
above the tree tops, talking pleas
antly, until Caroline came to the
door and called her sister.
"Where on earth have you been,
Jessie?' she asked
Talking to Mr. Lelth,' returned
Jessie, as she followed her into the
room.
Wonders will never cease ex-
claimed Caroline. Il thought you
hated him; but there, think he
would talk any one over with that
sweet voice of his"
Jessie thought so too, but she
did not give vent to her opinion in
words. She was looking unusually
well, a color became her, but it was
not the rose flush upon her cheeks
that made her look SO lovely. There
was a change in her tonight, and
her sister was vaguely conscious of
it, as the girl stood looking earnest
ly down into the glowing fire In the
kitchen CRATE.
"Our Jessie is growing a regular
beauty" observed Caroline to her
father, when her sister had gone up
to bed.
Handsome is as handsome does"
returned Mr.. Maybrick, putting
away at his pipe.
Jessie's EDUCATION had cost him
no end of money, while the more
homely Caroline had put pounds
in his pocket. But Mr.. Maybrick
had no eye for beauty. He was
not like his lodger, who could get
very little sleep for thinking of a
pair of bright eyes and q slim girl
ish figure.
Next morning, as Mr.. Leith sat
at the table, he caught sight of
Jessie talking to stoutly-built,
curly headed young fellow, and his
heart gave a jealous throb.
Who was that rustic she seemed
so interested in? He could not be
her sweetheart-surely a girl like
Jessie would not throw herself
away on such an awkward cub.
Mr.. Leith tried to read the news
paper and forget the happy looking
couple in the garden; but it was no
use. There they were paradlng up
and down in full view of his win
dow aud now and then their voices
were waited to him on the breeze.
He felt he could stand 1t no lon
ger and slammed down the window
in rage What was the use OF
coming to the country for quiet If
people would persist in making
such a racket?
He took his hat and went for a
walk, and when he returned home
he had the pleasure of seeing that
rustic, through the kitchen window,
dining with the family.
Mr.. Leith closed the door of his
room but he could not shut out
the sound of the fellows noisy
laughter.
'If he is a frequent guest my
stay here will not be of long dura-
tion," he thought.
Presently, to his intense annoy
ance, he saw Jessie and the stran-
ger out In the garden again, and af-
ter his own dinner had been served,
he heard Miss Caroline calling
them to tea aud found that the
young mans name'was Bob-detes-
table namel Mr.. Leith had never
felt more miserable than he did
that evening and his life had not
been devoid of trouble.
Mr.. Leith was sitting in thesdark
and presently heard voices outside
the door.
81 am sure he is out, child" said
Caroline. The lamp is not lighted
you can 60 in and play for little
while and Mr.. Leith will never be a
bit the wiser.
He did not hear Jessie reply
her voice was not so loud; but the
door opened, and she came into the
room, going straight over to the
piano.
Mr.. Leith held his breath, lying
back in the armchair, while Jessie
played softly in the darkness. He
could see the dim outline of her
form as she sat at the piano, fol
what little light there was fell upon
her. He was angry with her-most
unreasonahly angry-out he could
not lose the chance of speaking to
her alone. ~ A
"Miss JESSIE" he said.
Jessie gave faint scream. He
had frightened her so much thai
she trembled like a leaf. She was
going to run out OF The room when
mis- voice arrested her movement.
81 shall be very sorry that re-
vealed myself if yoa are going tC
run away" he continued. at il
not often that have the chance o
hearing you play"
Jessie sat down at the piano bui
she did not play. Her little brown
hands were trembling too much
Mr.. Leith rose and stood by he
side. -
81 shall be going back to Londol
soon," he said, ''and it will b
/ pleasant to think of these few mo
meots spent with you at the piano.
"You are going away soon," fat
tered Jessie, and something in he