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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.]