Year: 1868

the time lost his manhood in the puerile
character of a male firt? There was in the
community visitor from the north of the
| state, who, from the time her ears were
filed with accounts of the wonderful Harry
Chamberlain, vowed that should the tickle
god cast him in the meshes of her charms
she would avenge her sex by retaliation.
And as beneath witcheFy of light charms
she possessee mind capable of appreciat-
| ing all pretensons for their true value, and
was wealthy enough not to be allured by
the glare of his fortune, she was just the
one to take up the cause Of the sex without
danger to herself. 1t was brilliant occa-
sion when Harry Chamberlain first met
Lottie Warren. 1t was festive night in
| one of the proudest and wealthiest and oldest
families of Natchez. The beauty, accom-
plishment, and wealth of that old city,
renowned for the three, were gathered be-
meath the dazzling lights Of the silver chan
deliers, and music's vuluptuous notes food
ed the air, while girlish forms in gossamer
robes swayed to and fro in the may thread
ing of the dance, or bounded with light,
springing step, to the gay music of some
bright quickstep. Harry Chamberlain had
moved through the evening with an indo.
lent Indifferent air, as if at the early age OF
twenty-three such amusements were palling
upon his taste, when the changes Of the
dancers brought him present with Lottie
Warren.


by Heavens, Fred, there is rare little
witch of a beauty, who looks as though she
had life, wit, and piquancy enough ia
arouse even me from ehnui. Why upon
earth have you not introduced me ere
this?'


Upon my honor, you do not deserve
such consideration after so fragrant an out
rage against the wi; and beauty Of our city
here collected tonight; but since am hos


of the evening must even crafty you
So come en-"


Harry Chamberlain soon attached him
self entirely to Lottie Warren, and ere sh'


returned to the north Of the state she haC


wound her meshes completely about th


heart of the most noted ttirt in Natche2
) And as he had never before yielded hi
, heart to the charms of woman, he wa


more ardent and devoted than is common
, to flirts Lottie led him on by thousan,


caprices, bright fancies, gay wittcisms, an
brilliant sallies, until he had sworn eterna


allegiance, and received a halElaughin
halfearnest consent. Nor was it unit


within one week of the bridal day that
e doubt Of her sincerity entered his mind


Then it was not doubt, but cold, heartles
certainty which fell like ice upon his glow


ing passion. And though the shock chile
the love from his heart, he suffered serious
ly, for its warmth and confidence were gon
> and his life would grow less hopeful an


more reckless.


y The night was lovely as he quickl
J. joined Lottie in a walk through the beautifl


garden.


"Lottie, queen of my soul, even you ca
I not dream how happy am tonight"


"Why so, Mr.. Chamberlain ?"


"Wby ask, ,Lottie. And why is it Mr. Char


berlain tonight? Do you not know tn
e but seven short days from to night tho j.
r Of my life will be sealed? Oh, LOttie, p
e away your perverseness tonight, and
r me feel in the earnestness of your soul
) certainty Of my happiness


o Why have you fingered away so loI
It upon the eve of our marriage? Have
r not fair reason from your past life to su
IT pose that some new beauty bewitched yC
y from my side"


y "Lottie, this is cruel, and your tone
s, still more so; when you know it was
y adorn your future home as BELTS the womi
of who is to grace it that 1 forced myself
IS remain from you. hope my taste vi
IN give you pleasure, dearest. Nothing b
Il been spared in the effort to do so. A lac
n friend is already there experimenting a
!. rangements for your reception"
e "Well, really Mr. Chamberlain, it mi
IT seem pity to have put you to such u
e HtCcSSuTy bO0Ol0 HhA SAPShSS b"N ~
IS just what purposed from the beginning


perfect humiliation of your vanity wi
% reference to my sex. In future | ask on
d to be remembered when you would invol
d the affections of some young girl in q hop
ID less love. l assure you, sir, never for
u, single moment have you touched my hea


And ere three months l shall be the wife
IN one who never stopped to trifle with t
be heart of woman"


Is And Lottie Warren bowed like que


before the stricken, dumb man, and NOV
IT, out of the garden, never thinking how
be duplicity would destroy his confidence
er woman-nay, almost his belief IL God
m while it sent him forth amid the trials a
lis temptations of life without ruddsr er I


,chor.


Chapter II.


ne Harry Chamberlain tarried not an no
of but soon reached the river, and took pa


ago aboard a steamer He cast about b
re- hurried glance, as if fearing to M