The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-21

own You viii forgive your Suzette when
she explains. An oasis has appeared in
this dcsert-ycs he is undouiably YER
dant. but then YOU should see his eyes
cit SIS your want 20 chide your Suzette
for her too fatal destinations; many
were the tears you shed over the hap
less COnfcctiOncr's clerk who chOked
with emotion when 1 bought from him
my last pound of candied fruit, and whose
sad, reproachful eyes as he fastened the
pink string into true lovers knot ]
can never forget. But I'm this case / am
not 10 blame Henry Williams fell mad
ly IN love with me as / sat deep I'm rev
cry under the trees unconscious Of his
presence, and ever since he has been
my shadow. ] try TO discourage him
but he persists i'm his attentions.
shrink from causing any one unhappi-
ness. but ] fear the painful duty of re-
iusine him is inevitable; / cannot avoid
q declaration of his love much longer.
Oh, why viii men be so impetuous"
The summer days glided on very
pleasantly, but somehow that inevitable
declaration hung fire. The evening be-
/ Tore Suzette's return 10 the city she came
ont ON the porch, respondent I'm Marion's
| picturesque last seasons opera wrap.
ana after a. rhapsody over the harvest
moon, proposed 90 Henry that they should
| so Tor row ON the river.
'It is for the last time" she muir
| INJURED, looking pensively into his hand
some, stolid face.
Henry always on the alert to do her
! bidding, e0od-humoredly assented. and
| they stroned to the boat, Suzette prescrv-
| ING her sad expression, and signing pa
thetically as they drifted slowly down
the moonlight stream.
$50 you're a-goin back home to-mor-
rer Miss SuzetteT Henry presently
asked
alas, yes" susy responded in her best
sentimental manner. stern duty re-
calls me. / must return to the arti-
hcial life j loathe and take up the burden
of society trying TO forget I'm the giddv
Whir what might have bcen"
Win "a sigh surprising all its prede-
cessors, She averted her head and idly
udiIed her hand through the water. In
the moonlight it looked very white and
shapely she proudly thought.
80, now" said Henry, I'm sorry YOU
feel so about it, Mebbe your folksd let
you stay if AIR. Vincent asked en- to-"
Suzette with difficulty suppressed a
shudder at this practical suggestion.
Alas, no.! she returned, maintaining
her sad air and tone admirably, consid-
ering her youth. For fashions votaries
there is no escape; we are slaves-the
slaves Of q system"
Susette thought this sounded rather
fine so she said il twice. She had ample
time. Henry was slower of speech than
ever.
"l wish you could stay n little longer"
he said. at last a duh red sufusing his
face. I've particular reasons"
'Its coming!" thought Susy. exult-
antly She waited in modest silence for
l|H frH H.rtHlr
remained dumb. she gently prompted
what are they, Henry? How can my
absence or presence affect you in any
way?'
1T doesn't. except that I shall have
more time to work when you are gone:
Mr. Vincent told me 20 do all / could to
amuse YOU. and 1 hope I've done It," he
said, laughing in a way that grated on
every nerve Susy owned. "But. YOU see.
I'm 10 be married soon and Matte
thought you might give her some hints
about her weddin' bonnet"
Married. echoed Susy. blanllv.
ayes; I've been engaged these five wears
90 Matte jenkins, the smartest girl in
the country. Better stay TO the wedlin'--
goin' 10 have q big time"
Susy felt as though she had received
cold douche; but she managed to express
the customary wishes for Mr.. Williams
future happiness, and then suddenly dis
covered that as she had to finish packing
her trunk it was time 90 go back.
She departed the next morning with a
new opinion Of rustic simplicity, and a
somewhat flattened bump of self esteem
Two weeks later. while she was comb
ing out her ripping tresses before the
mirror in her room her friend and guest
inquired with deep interest about her
rustic Apollo.
My dear Marie" Suzette replied with
heightening color, Il entreat you never
TO speak Of him again. 1t was most har-
rowing experienced When the unhappy man
found that his love was not reciprocated
in very desperation he became engaged
20 a gawky country girl. OF course, IL is
too bad. but no one can blame me. 1t was
not my fault"
A..A .-.lL.- L ~ MINI ~ ...nn