The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-07-03

MOI W0T0 tutbe TWO VIC bOlo occupants
of the room. Adelaide Claremont stood in
the bay window half hidden by the fall OF
the rich, blue silk curtains "a slight, grace
full littlecreature, with blonde hair floating
away from her face and eyes big and blue
as June pansies
''Clara, Claraw cried Adelaide, impetu-
ously parting the fringed draperies, and
coming forward like fairy from her en-
chanted grotto, ''you are too hard upon
Fernando"
"Am II" dropped slowly from Claras
queenly lips II do not wish to be unrea-
sonable, but this is no mere triAe to me-"
Nor is 1t to me-" said Fernando Efing-
ham, slightly drawing himself up, and thus
giving additional advantage to his splendid
ly nodded figure. 1T strikes me, Clara,
that you are disposed to draw the reins un-
necessarily tight"
"You think, in short, that am tyrannic-
alp"
'Yes II the truth must be spoken, Clara,
lido"
Clara was silent for an instant
Adelaide" she said, why do you deem
Tue unreasonable? Let me view this matter
for an instant through your eyes"
Because Fernando has committed no
fault" was the vehement answer. "All
young men must be gay and social; how
can he refuse to join them?"
Must all young men necessarily be can
didates for drunkard's grave?"
'Clara how can you speak SO harshly?"
broke in Adelaide, while even Mr. Effing-
ham, calm and composed although he ha-
bitually was, WINGED slightly.
IA social glass now and then hardly de-
serves to be classed under such an epithet
as that, Clara"
my husband" she answered, proudly,
must never be the slave of the social glass;
Fernando, we have been at cross-purposes
too long already. did love you very dear
ly-I still love you-but must be true to
my principles and conviction. II you will
sign the Temperance pledge will name
our marriage day at once" fH tN
do you think me in such immediate
danger as that, them" asked Effingham,
Struggling his shoulders nl
II think every man in danger who attends
champagne suppers night after night be-
longs to fashionable club, and believes in
doing Just as other young men OF the age
do Dear Fernando, hear reason for once
withdraw yourself from the upas-like infu.
ences that are hourly gaining a stronge,
hold on you"
"Clara!" vehemently exclaimed the young
man, II am not q child to be led by {
woman's unreasonable whims, nor do
choose thus to give up my free will snt
volition."
"You refuse my request?"
II dol"
''Then, good-bye" Clara rose and quiet
ly offered him her hand 1--WE are divergin,
more widely apart with every day; wha
might have been is now mere thing of tn
past"
CLARA are you not willing to trust me?
J II can not be false to myself, Fernando
We shall alwaysremain dear friends, hop
but that we should ever be any thin
nearer is simple impossibillty.
And SO she left him, their engagement
. broken by her own resolute words.
As he stood there with knitted brows an
folded arms, a low sob broke upon his ca,
he turned with start
1 Adelaide, you at least sympathize wit
e mcy" he murmured
"Oh, Fernando, think she has treate
you cruelty, broke from Adelaide Glare
mont's red lips, and then she, too, slippe
. out OF the room
. |
was not particularly surprised about
. month afterward, when Adelaide came
her in her own room with cheeks radian
with soft maidenly bushes and LIP
n wreathed about with smiles
h Dear Clara" she whispered, II hav
something to tell you"
= II can guess it without the aid Of you
words I fancy, Adelaide" said her frient
9 smilingly. you are engaged to Fernand
e Efingham. Well, dearest, wish you Joy.
e But know from the sound of you
p voice that you do not approve of it"
adelaide, you are no child" calmly re
Il sponded Clara you are woman, equal
;, fitted to Judge these matters as myself
d prefer to express no opinion"
4 you were always too hard on dear Eel
nando l know ! shall be the happiest {
wiJes," as serted Adelaide.
. Il hope SO, DEAR" Clara answered, rattle
!, evasively. "And when is the wedding I
l. be?" af
It I'm May. Oh, Clara he is so kind--and
!, am 30 happy!"
And Adelaide Claremont nestled clos
J down by her friends side to breathe out tt
q hopes and fancies and aspirations of thi
|. her first love dream
=. "As for you, Clara" she added laughing
, ~. "beware!" You are altogether too pa
= ticular. With all your beauty, and talent
and attractiveness you will be an old mai
h yet"
is Would that be SO very dreadful fate
~ asked Clara, smiling. And Adelaide shu,
dered at the mere idea
= So, In bridal wreath Of orange flower
Is and lace. and snowy silk. she became tn
is wife of Fernando bingham, and Ola,
n. Vail remained unmarried at the age
., twenty three.
For Clara although she never attempte
y to deny that a good husband was one
Re Gods most priceless and precious gifts
n woman, still considered that marriage ",
not absolutely essential to human happ
ness
W So, the spring after Adelaide Claremont
Sc wedding, Clara Vail went to Europe wit
ir her father, to cultivate her very decide
j. penchant for art among the grand old "a
"A leries of continental cities and for t.
years she heard no more of her bright lit
III blonde schoolmate, or the handsome your
3, Apollo whose bethrothed she once hs
al been
re She had scarcely been at home more tbs
- aweek when one day as she was drivir
W down wide street toward Broadway-ol
II Of those forlorn, forsaken-l looking street
d. where every other house is q miserable a
or tempt at store. market or liquor saloon
alas that the fine old word ''sAioonn shou