An Original Belle

her at home. Indeed, as she stood before him in her radiant youth, which her evening costume enhanced with a fine taste quickly

f-sacrificing love of the other, before whom her heart bowed in sincere homage if nothing more! What was this man's offer but an expression of selfishness? And what could she ever be but an accessory of his Burgundy? Indeed, as his eyes, humid from wine, gloated upon her, and he was phrasing his well-bred social platitudes and compliments, quite oblivious of the fact that HER eyes were taking on the blue of a winter sky, her cheeks began to grow a little hot with indignation and shame. He knew that she did not love him, that naturally she could not, and that

ies, "you must not run away soon again. June days may be charming under a

rong yourself. Mamma said that you were very entertaining, and that last evening was a delightful one. It could

something to say to which I trust you will listen

Mr. Lanniere," said the girl, laughing. "I ca

n. Your opinions are of

beyond measure, especially as I am t

ruly the dewy freshness of youth. The world is a terra incognita to you yet, and your opinions of l

elevations may be sunny they are very cold," was the reply, with

e, Miss Vosburgh," he said, impressivel

irl who means to be happy sho

re often thrust upon her than achieved? I, who know the world and the rich pleasures and triumphs it affords to one wh

tented and happy. No ambition for triumphs is consuming me. What triumphs? As for pleasure, each d

nothing to you?" he sa

ildish, but it seems to me that I have met your suggestions with natura

ng herself for a little more of what she had to her heart's content already was not even considered. There was distressing keenness in the suggestion that, not wanting the extraneous things he offered, no motive was left. He was scarcely capable of suspecting her indignation that he should deem her capable of sacrificing her fair young girlhood for greater wealth and luxury, even h

so highly, all the more coveted because superior to the sordid motives upon which even he had counted as the chief allies in his suit. In the intense longing of a self-indulgent nature he b

you; but were I compelled to make a choice it should be in favor of a man to whom I could look

seeking vainly to take her hand again. "I am in my prime, and can do more than most

in the drawing-room, Mr. Strahan entered, and now stood just behind Mr. Lanniere, with an expression in which dismay, amusement, and embarrass

the inopportune

naire, now enraged beyond self-control, and confron

e of Marian's mirth had its influence also. She had turned i

reason. I have the honor of Miss Vosburgh's acquaintance as truly as yourself. This is her parlor, and she alone has the right

ours might have-" And then the older man paused, consciou

not in the habit of listening at a lady's door before I enter. My arrival at a moment so awkward for me was my misfortune. I discovered nothing to your discredit, Mr. Lanniere. Indeed, your appreciation of Miss Vosburgh is the most creditable

me, or Mr. Lanniere, either, as he will admit after a little thought. Let us regard the whole matter as one o

the merriment which the mercurial Strahan strove in vain to suppress; "I will leave you to more c

ture of your compliment? What have you asked but that I should sell myself for money? I may

ning consciousness that he had over-rated his milli

ssion, as he looked at the young girl's stern,

off my hat, not as a mere form. Half the girls in our set would have given their eyes

ve you had any better opinion of me than of the others. Come now, own up. Be honest. Didn't y

e, Miss Mari

downright sincerity, and I shall detec

trait. He discarded the slight affectation that characterized his manner, stood e

ll take no

k it unless you will be

e in a mood for bar

nie

l deference and compliments. On the basis of downright sincerity I have my rights, and you have no

said, after a m

ssible, even probable, that you would accept a man like Lannie

han, that you misjudge a

n that. Have I not just discovered that I m

u, also; but I will keep my compact, and give yo

but I shall expect d

and manner; you are an anomaly in the country; you are inclined to gossip; a

ut laughing as he exclaimed,

ere surface. Come,

par with yourself. I have enough honest goo

that

oing to try to fish up some germs of manhood for your inspection? As you have suggested, I must do something, or I'm out of the race with you. I honestly believe, though, I am not such a fool as I have seemed. I shall

th a tinge of sad

s of fine young fellows lying stiff

sight is, even in fancy. When they died so heroically, shame on me if I turn away in weak, dainty dis

but the restraint of army-life, and especially roughing it, is very distasteful. I kept thinking it would all soon be over, that more men were in now than were needed, and that it was a confounded disagreeable business, and all that. But my mind wasn't at rest; I wasn't satisfied with the ambitions of my callow youth; and, as usual when one is in trouble and in doubt about a step, I exaggerated my old folly to disguise my feelings

aiming, "Mr. Strahan! forgive me; I've done you

ity. I'm just like lots of other young fellows who have gone, only I have been slower in going, and my ardor won't set the river on fire. But the times are waking up all who have any wake-up in them

y, thinking how strangely events were applying the touchstone to one and another. But the purpose of this boyish-appearing exquisite

ce you, which would be worse, you know. I'm not going to do any bragging, however. Deeds, deeds. Not till I have laid out a Johnn

ust as you did Mr. Lanniere, in a half-nonchalant and a half-satirical mood, while all the time there will be

dded, "Since we are down to the bed-rock in our talk I'll say out the rest of my

can you continue your quarrel with Mr

ed: "Another evidence, of extreme youth! Lannie

to thunder. He won't talk of the

that would be no excu

without ceasing to be a gentleman, too. If you carry out

f winning a major-general's stars as you. I've seen better fellows raising the siege and disappearing, you know. Well, the story I thought would be short is becoming long. I wanted to tell yo

ou won't be able to deceive me a bit hereafter. I shall persist in admiri

yalty to us fellows that we

any one, not even myself. As with you, however,

my words, will y

her hand over her eyes,-"what is all this tending to? Wh

d think of absent friends than for them to go. I foresee how it will turn out. You will be imagining high tragedy on stormy nights when we shall

, when a light hand touched his arm, and Marian said, with a look so kind and sympathetic that his eyes fell before

e put the rose to his lips, "Never let the color suggest that I will show the w