The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-12-01
the celebrated watering places in this

young English heiress was attracting
the attention of the beauX, and he
soon became as worshipful as the rest
of them.
He fell violently in love with her.
He proposed to her in an impetuous
way, but, much to his chagrin, he
was rejected.
His pride was deeply hurt, and yet
ho hardly felt like blaming her. She
was no firt; he had simply miscalcu-
lated the extent of her preference for
him.
A few evenings later as he strolled
to and fro on the veranda, he glanced
in at the open window and saw her
seated at piano, with several young
men by her side.
She was certainly very much at
home on the instrument; her playing
was as faultless as it was brilliant.
Suddenly he stopped opposite the
window, his lips parted, his eyes
Frightening, CLEAN Of intelligence
lighting up his face.
She was singing ballad, and her
sweet, clear, flexible voice filled the
room.
ssWas there ever maid more fair,
Or q truer lover,
Seen beneath the moonlight rare
On the Downs of Dover.
"Ah" he CALCULATED, under his
breath. "Miss Clifton is the English
girl l fished out of the river. Per-
haps-"
He turned on his heel and dismissed
the train Of thought that brought with
it new hopes and probabilities.
The next day the pretty heiress came
upon him as he sat alone in one of the
pavilions. He arose to 60.
"Pray, Mr.. Rutherford, do not let
me cause you to retire." she pleasant
ly said, as she futtered into one of the
rustic seats.
Instead of replying, he looked
steadily at her. with an expression
upon his face that puzzled her.
"l am sorry for what happened the
other day," she softly said.
"You were the arbiter OF your own
fate" he replied.
"Why, that sounds funnyW she
said, with an odd little laugh. "l
fancied that you had made me the ar
better of yours"
"Of course, Mis- Clifton, if you
have reconsidered-"
"But haven't" she hurriedlY inter-
rupted.
She bushed consciously, for she
knew she had not been entirely truth
full. She might not have reconsidered
her refusal, but she had made sundry
mental admissions; one that he was
the most worthy Of her admirers, and
the other, that she at least liked him.
"That was pretty ballad you sang
last evening"" he said with q sudden
change Of topic.
.I sang several" reminded she.
"But only one ballad" rejoined he.
"I refer to the Downs of Dover. "
"IVere you within hearingw
~ was on the veranda," was his re-
reply. "You did not think that had
decamped, in my disappointment and
-dispair?" lie added, with slight
grin. "The air is very catchy, as we
say in this country. Did you COM
pose it,"
ayes. And the words"
Then she laughed, and added:
II haven't perpetrated anything
like it since"
He was silent for a minute, SEEM
ingly deeply wrapped in thought
She watched him covertly, admiring
his handsome face and manly bear
ing.
"Miss Clifton, did not run away
last night" he slowly said. "but l
am going away today"
"Ah" she calculated.
eyes. And | wish TO return your
ring"
"What ring?" she asked, with puz-
zled look anu tone.
"The ring which you gave me, he
replied.
The puzzled look changed to one OIL
amaZement.
81 never gave yoa ring she de-
clared, with considerable vehemehce'