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Just a week after the reception of
this letter, Walter came home. His
mother, after a most affectionate
greeting, held him at arms length to
notice the change in his features. A
dark, heavy mustache and whiskers
covered the lower part of his face;
his cheeks were thin and pale, and
the dark, hollow eyes were almost
fierce in their intense light.
‘My son, have you been sick ?’
asked the mother. ‘No, mother;
but have allowed something to trou
ble me a great deal; where’s Nora ?’
‘She has gone to the river, in
search of wild flowers for your room.
We did not look for you quite so ear
ly—como, my son, and tell me what
has grieved you so much.’
She led the way into the parlor,
and threw open the blinds, while
Walter wheeled a sofa to the window.
Walter then began a rehearsal of his
deep sorrow by telling his mother of
the reception which his letter had
met; then of the deep distress which
Irene seemed to feel when she told
him of her mother’s opposition, and
of a trusting abiding faith he had in
her when they separated at Augusta.
Knowing that she would spend her
winter vacation in Florida, ho had
gone there with the hope of seeing
her, but learned she had gone with
the Lyle’s to the bay, to romain till
she returned to school. Ho followed
the party, and at the hotel, where he
supposed they had stopped, examin
ed the register; they had not been
there; he inquired after them during
the next day, and returned to the
hotel at evening, fearing he would
not see Irene. After supper, he sat
reading a newspaper, when he heard
Irene’s name, and a question which
followed :
‘Ho you think she will marry
Lieutenant Lyle ?’ ‘I do,’ was the
answer, ‘ from the fact that a title
nover fails to win a woman. She is
a splendid beauty, and her wealth
will satisfy his ambition. Kumor
says his fortune is now quite small—
effects of dissipation—and ho will not
scruple to sacrifice that fair girl to
secure money. I would swear that
he cares no more for her than for my
self. He is not capable of cherishing
any purer feelings. I would sooner
see my sister in the coils of a deadly
serpent, than in his unhallowed em
brace.’
‘ Then it is your duty to inform her
father of her danger/ replied the first
speaker.
‘I know the world too well to
meddle in such affairs. Abuse from
her father, and a challenge from
Lyle, would be tho most probable re
sult. Besides, she is liko tho rest of
ber sox, and the glitter of his lace
and tho exalte! position of a U. S.
Naval officer's wife, will answer for
affection. 1 have almost arrived at
the conclusion of late, that all women
THE GEORGIA COLLEGIAN.
place their affection ori tho exterior,
not the heart. But I can tell you
something else, which you perhaps
had rather hear. A large party will
be given, by the wealthiest man in
town, to Lyle and his friends to-mor
row evening: No invitations will be
sent, but every body is invited ; let’s
go and watch the Lieutenant pursue
his game ?’
• Agreed ; but who is the blue eyed
girl that accompanies the Lyle par
ty ?’
‘ I did not learn her name; only
heard she was one of Miss Annie’s
school-friends from Georgia. She is
a prettier girl than Miss Somers.’
‘We will want to leave the gay
crowd at about eleven o’clock'to mor
row-night; so let’s meet here and
give each other the benefit of ourob
serrations.’
‘ All right,’ was the, answer, and
the two passed out, little dreaming
of the disquiet their conversation had
caused in the breast of the stranger.
Walter sought his room, and threw
himself on tho bed in utter despair—
while such thoughts as these rushed
to his mind:—‘Has she been false?
Can she be a deceiver ? Then whom
can I trust? If she was not truth
itself, there is nothing true in wo
man! But she shall not be the vic
tim of that villain ! Yet if she is ca
pable of such deception, does she de
serve a better fate ?' These thoughts
were succeeded by a yearning to see
her once more, and ask if what he
heard was true. ‘ Yet it must bo
true/ ho half uttered, ‘ there is no
other Miss Somers here, with the
Lyle’s.’
Without an hour’s sleep, lie rose
early in the morning, and" strolled
down on the beach, hoping tho walk
and the morning breeze would prove
refreshing. Just as he came into the
road from a by-path, the sound of
wheels greeted his ear. Ho raised
his eyes and saw Irene, and a gentle
man driving rapidly toward him
Irene did not speak to him as they
passed. Sho seemed suprised, then
smiled as if about to speak—then the
blood went from her face. Walter
bowed very coldly; but as he did it,
a chill ran over his frame. His
quick eye observed the naval uni
form of her companion and his heart
sunk again. Was sho indeed heart
less ? he thought as he walked on.
He resolved to hoar the comments
of the strangors, whom he had heard
the night before, and remained in the
parlor that night until they returned.
At eleven, the friends came in;
and seeing Walter apparently so
deeply interested in the contents of
his they talked very freely
and soon returned to Lyle and Miss
Somers.
‘Hid you over see a more beautiful
lady in your life ? What a crowd of
admirers flocked around her! Yet
she turned from them all, and looked
love at Lyle. Twice did I see her
return his gaze with all her heart
peeping out at her eyes; and if he is
capable of loving any one at all, I
am sure he loves that beauty.”
‘Oh, yes!’ I reckon he does love
her. I did’nt think so before we
went out to-night; but I know now
that ho does, unless hois a villian. I
overhead their engagement just be
fore we left.’
‘ How did that happen ?’
‘ I walked out into the flower-gar
den, and while there heard the ‘ will
you/ the ‘ yes/ and the ‘ smack.’
‘ But bow came you to go out
there ?’
‘ The rooms were heated very warm
you know, and I wanted some fresh
air. But besides that 1 was tired of
those fast girls, and tired of uttering
‘ nothings’ to such automatons of
milliners and mantau-makers. And
to change the subject for a moment,
I wish common sense could be sup
plied as easily as their physical defi
ciencies. If so, and common sense
was fashionable, a sensible man could
enjoy woman’s society. Os course,
I don't mean to include all ladies in
this class—only those who are of that
too fast style which you observed to
night. I can’t believe that those
girls possess as refined feelings, as
ihe more modest class; nor (to speak
more plainly) do I believe them to be
as pure women. Let me tell you, 1
bave seen those of high standing
(just such as we have seen to night)
frequent places where modesty would
blush before the indecencies tolerat
ed. I have seen them at other times
waltz with the most degraded men
that can be found—whirl through the
giddy dance with him who can count
his victims by scores, and pronounce
him a most charming gentleman—
while the poor creature whom he has
robbed of innocence, is scorned out
of society. I have often heard' my
father say, ‘ if a young man wanted
a wife who would mako him truly
happy, he must not look for ber in
tho balls of gaiety;’ and I believe,
generally speaking, there is too much
truth in this old remark.’
‘ I agree with you entirely in your
strictures on that class of women ;
but if you bave ended your digres
sion, I would like to hear more of tho
lovers you overheard to night.’
‘ Well, I went to a seat beneath an
arbor at some distance from thesteps,
aud had not been there five minutes
before Lyle and Miss Somers stop
ped near me. I saw that bis arm
encircled her waist, and knew that
his low, passionate pleading would
receive its reward. She told him
that she could not marry him before
the fall of sixty-one; for her father
would not permit her to stop school
until her course was completed. I
felt sure when I heard the long, lin
gering kiss, just before they left t
arbor, that Lyle’s heart was deep
interested. It was told me to-nigl
that an unfortunate love affair car
ed his dissipation. I have heard hi
curse woman, but never heard hi
allude to the past for a cause.’
‘ His affections, then, are certain
engaged. Hid you ascertain t
name of Miss Annie’s other friend
‘I did not. Has’nt she a sad, sw<
face ? I noticed she did not join t
dancers. There was a retiring im
esty in her demeanor, that won r
admiration ; and oh ! that expressi
of her face! She nervously watc
ed the door for the first hour, and i
terward a shade of disappointme
passed over her brow. 1 wish
knew whom she expected.’ \
‘How much longer will theLyh
remain here ?’ I
‘ Only a few days. Miss Annie ai
her friends will return to school pn
ty soon.’ * * *
Walter told his mothea the who
conversation, and its effect upon hir
and occasionally in the rehearsal, f
heaved a deep sigh.
Ho was assured that Irene ha
been false to him-—that her vows (
love had been given to another —tha
her lips had been pressed by the lip
of another—and the bitter truth
burned their way to his soul.
‘ I determined to forget her/ sai
he, ‘ and gave my mind to the ma
agement of the estate; but, moth<
she is not forgotten. I will not thir
of her during tho day, but she com
to me at night, wearing the san
sweet face which I saw in August
Bear with my sadness, sweet mot
er, my hopes are blighted. Som
times, even now, I find myself thin
ing of her as my faithful Irene, ai
I will cherish a faint hope that the
is some mistake. Yet, how can tl
be? My faith in human nature
very weak.’
‘My dear boy, she is unworthy
you. Ho not waste that noble lii
which God has given you, in vain i
grets. Let tho past be forgotten.
There is much happiness for you yt
A faithful performance of tho duti
which devolve upon you, can affo
you great joy—l would not haveyc
revive and cherish one vain hope
regard to Irene, but it is possib
that you may be mistaken. Lea
it all in the hands of Him who w
regard the faithful.’
Walter heard Nora coming, a
started to meet her. Each imu
diately remarked the changes whi
had taken place in tho other. Wall
was struck with tho beauty of
sister, and as he gazed on her lov<
form, recalled the hope that s
would inurry Earnest Hoe. He ai
ed when sho had seen him.
‘ Not since you left. I have hea
that ho was in Atlanta, reading la\
F Continued on 6th page.]