Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-07-31
REJECTED.
~ A. &. GRrssoM.


piece of pardonablc jealousy on
Flora's part. The circumstances arc
in manner remarkable.
Flora and Frank had been school
mates at the beautiful Woodland
seminary, aud had graduated together,
Frank being about twenty-onc and
Flora eighteen. They had been
sweethearts ever SO long, and no one
doubted that they would one day
we'd.
In the class, also, was Lorenc May
Ter, who many thought riyalled Flora
in beauty, and who had a similar
fondncss for Frank, which was to a
certain extent rcciprocatcd.
The two girls were the society
fayorities in the little city where they
lived. A year after their graduation
found them deyeloi cd into rare and
beautiful womanhood, admired and
couried by all the susceptible and elig-
ible young men Of their acquain-
tance. Openly, the two girls were
the best of friends, but secretly, the
smouldering spark of rivalry was
never quite extinguished.
A score OF the incest yoUrg folks of
the town had formed themselves into
an exclusive little club, which met
every fortnight at the residence of
one of the members for one evening
of social pleasure. On such occa-
sions they danced and plomenaded on
the lawn, had delicious re efreshmcnts
served at 10 or II, aud altogether had
a most delightful time.
Frank usually escorted Flora TO the
parties, until the era of trouble came.
One night the club meeting had
been held at Lofeac horne, aud Frank
had been unusually attentive to Lo-
rene, Gin Difference to her as hostess" !"
he explained.
This would have passed all very
we'll had it not been for an incident
which occurred in Tie girls dressing
room, concerning which Frank kne W
nothing.
The room was Lorcn'sc own apart
mcnt converted into a general dress
ing-room for temporary purposes
only, and it was quite natural that her
private belongings should undergo
the scrutiny of the last one of the ill.,
quisitive girls gathered there.
Among other things brought to
light by the prying merry-lnakers was
very ardent love-letter, which was
neither directed nor signed but which
few, and among the number, Flora,
recognized as being in Franks hand
writing. There were also some verses
of the same aflectionate nature, in the
same penmanship.
"Oh! Lorene! we've found you out!
Where did you get these?" cried one
'ofctho.tAQg.Ialess crowd, who seemed
to think that everything was theirs by
right of discovery.
"What? oh, those?" answered
Lorene, blushiug in spite of herself.
She made grab for the papers and
thrust them into her pocket aud would
say nothing more regarding them.
This set the smouldering spark in
Flora's bosom blazing, but she said
nothing, of course, and all the evening
she acted ms thongh she were the hap
piest girl present But she was not
there was long enough rest between
the dances for her 10 realize that.
She was very silent as she and Frank
walked home together in the soft
moonlight. She was as sensitive as
she was sweet and womauly, and she
had placed such implicit trust in Frank
that the discovery of the letter had
been real blow TO her. The more
she thought of it, the more severe the
Jealous pain in her heart became.
The two were not exactly engaged,
but there had been tacit understand
ing between them, each seeming to
feel sure of the others love and con-
stancy, and their union only matter
of time; under such circumstances a
formal proposal and engagement
would have seemed awkward and un-
necessary.
Frank misconstrucd her silence;
often when they were aIono together
she was silent for the very happiness
which filled her heart, and it was not
unnatural that he shonld mistake her
emotion now.
"Your sweet silenca speaks more
than words of your love for me-" lie
said tenderly. 'Do you know, Flora,
it is the greatest joy in the world TO
me to feel that my presence gives You
pleasure, and that you heart is'mine.
That is because l love yoa so
She made no reply, and a moment
later ho reached her door.
As usual, he dill not hurry away.
He mood close beside her in the