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TV-' ' fLmv EfiS evatCTIO, VOL. IV. J. H. & "W. B. (SEALS, } PROPRIETORS. Only n Moment, BT MUSE DUNN. ATLANTA, GA„ SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1878. '■"■ VT "■ T -- ' ' ni-pT) 'll K o J PBR ANNUM TEEMS, 1 IN ALVANCE. A moment go—yon clasp my hand, And then we drift apart; But ah, the touch has sealed the band Clasped closely ’round my heart. And time nor place can e’er efface The memory of that minutes' space, ■When this warm, throbbing heart of m ine Thrilled with the glow sent out from thine. And though we never meet again, My glad heart tells me this. I feel we have not lived in vain, Whose lives have known such bliss. Only a moment—only a touch Of hands whose touching meant so much, And thou wo drifted far apart. But life is not the same, sweetheart. A QUEEN of FLIRTS — OR, — Playing With Edge- Tools. BY FLORENCE IIARTLAND. CHAPTER I. ‘ A soiree did you say, Harry ? How unfor tunate ! I had expected a different programme for this evening ; a stroll through the woods with you in memory ot auld lang syrte; a quiet supper ; then, a lounge on the veranda in the moonlight, with a good cigar, and a bit of talk about the session of ’08 when we were the cham pions of the wildest club in Charlottesville. I find myself rather melancholy in anticipation of exchanging all this for a stiff womau-dress- parade.’ * You don’t regret it more than I do, old fel low,’ was the reply ; ‘but you see it can’t well be helped. -Julia has a friend staying with her —a Miss Clydesdale, from Baltimore, and this party in her honor was arranged before I receiv ed your letter. So to-nigbt, this one night, we must consent to lay ourselves as victims upon the altar of ‘ society 1 , to-morrow the iree life we both love shall begin. AVe will eschew wo men altogether, and spend our days tramping about t.htxe breezy hills, or angling in the fa mous trout-streams you remember. But, to di gress a I' ment, Aiymer, ohl boy, this friend of Julia's i, not quite as unendurable us the wo men usually meets with in society now aday I iL-.,.a she may interest you rather jE<. t Hu.. .. ics.iable lor your future peace of mind ; she is called, handsome.’ The gentleman addressed, happening to glance at his youDg host as he made this last bantering remark, noticed a flush rise into his face and a cloud come ovei his clear, frank eyes. He laid his hand with the familiar old college caress upon his friend’s shoulder, as he said with assumed carelessness . ‘Handsome, is she? I trust not enough so to have hurt you badly, Harry, You know we pledged each others years ago to keep nothing back, but always make a clean breast of such affairs. How about yourself, old boy?' Again a flush overspread the young man’s fine features, as, with an agitated manner and a voice that trembled despite his utmost endeav ors to keep it steady, he replied : ‘ I cannot answer any questions on this sub ject now, Aylmer. Sometime before you leave, perhaps, but not now. Only this much let me tell yon—be on your guard with Miss Clydes dale’ She is said to be a thoroughly accom plished flirt, and I know—perhaps too well— that she is strangely fascinating. She will take your heart your soul—your very life out of your body, play with it, smile at it, caress it awhile; then toss it back as lightly as though it •were a crushed bauble. Aylmer, laugh at me— think me mad if you will—but I do beg you not to rush lightly into a flirtation with Julia’s friend.’ ‘ WhYi Harvey, tne affair grows interesting. Have we a Circe here in this nineteenth century country-house? Must I actually shut my ears against the voice of the charmer? You pique my curiosity. I long to prove whether my poor brain is.really as weak as you seem to think it. But I am vain enough to believe that I can hold my own against any woman, from ‘my Mary land’ to the waters of the blue Gulf! Come ! is it time for our toilettes to be in progress? I am eager to provoke Miss what is her name ?— to a challenge; and then we shall see which is the better fence.’ ‘ As you will,’ was the rejoinder, spoken with assumed carelessness; ‘I have put you on your guard; rush on your fate if you choose. One thing is assured—if you can really throw your self in her power for one week and come out scathless, you are the first man I have ever met whose head was steady enough to stand the ordeal. But come ! I hear the roll of carriages, and there is a rustle of muslin on the stairway. I must hurry down to help Julia take charge of the arrivals.' Five minutes later, and Harvey Estebrooke, in the rapidly filling parlor stood introducing Aylmer Holmes, his friend from the far South, to Ada Clydesdale, the famed beauty and belle of Baltimore. •Mvk« yourseH charming ns possible, Ayl mer,’ was*his laughing enjoinder;‘and yet even then there was a restless, anxious look in his dark eyes; ‘I must surrender Miss Clydesdale entirely to yonr guardianship for awhile; Julia's demands are exorbitant.’ •I should be only too happy were my ser vices needed the entire evening,’ was the low, earnest reply, spoken rather to the lady herself than to Mr. Estebrooke; and then with his own inimitable grace he bent towards her and began a conversation. . The party was at its height The rooms were vocal with gay laughter, and white-robed forms flitted through the dance, while slippered feet heat time to merry music. Julia, with her pretty face aglow with excite- mefft, threw herseif with native aJ: (radon into the'enjoyment of the hour; and Harley was the i life of the company. His laugh rang' out often- est; his sparkling witticisms evoked peals of ; merriment; but under it all there lurked a : feverish unrest as one hour—then two—passed ' by, and still the low murmur of conversation ' floated to his ear at intervals from the absorbed I couple by the garden-window. Despite his utmost endeavors to devote himself entirely to his pretty par', n r, Iris eyes would continually wander in that direction and dwell there, com pelled by a fascination he was powerless to resist. Ada Clydesdale sat leaning back in a low | cushioned chair, with the soft light from an astral burner falling in a mellow glow over her \re you tyrant ? it suits V » } conversation with your be T lX friend !’ already beginning to pV-v ‘Vie role o ’ Pray discontinue it. 1 do’ ’lot think y our style !’ The answer came impetuously: ‘The role of tyrant ? Good heavens! How could I? You know very well th.tt you hF.ve given me no right, even were I so ; n?lined. I am utterly ignorant of what yen ‘nfend to do with me. Only this I know -that you have taken possession of me—soul and body—and now that you have me secure you are looking out for new victims. You speak of a few moments’ chat with Holmes; do you know that it has been exactly other consideration was eiw mwwed for an in stant to sway her. She had long before, in her unformed girlhood, resblved to reign in society through her marvellous beauty; the beauty she had inherited from her Spanish mother, which had made her from infancy the delight of a fashionable circle of relations. Admi ration Was her life-breath; homage and adulation were Lu-.r birthright. So inordinate was her self-love ; eo insatiable her thirst for admiration, that she exacted tribute from all who came within the sphere of her influence ; and so artfully managed were her intrigues that each new victim was made to believe him- two hours and a half since I introduced him to ' self, for a short, delirious season, the fortunate you ? and during that whole time you have al lowed him to monopolize you. It is too marked; shimmering silken dress and the rich masses of | people will comment on it.’ her chestnut hair, crowned by cream-white j ‘Will they ?’ she queried, placidly. ‘How roses. It flashed into the fiery hearts of the j kind of them to take such interest in me. And rubies blazing on the bare arms that gleamed did you say 1 had really held your friend cap- ; like polished ivory, and played about the jewel-| five two hours ? I had thought it only a few ( ed brooch that clasped the laces at her throat. Harvey looked at her with a sharp pain at his manly heart, then turned to her companion. : Aylmer was bending slightly towards her, talk ing in his peculiarly mellow, flexible voice, with his keen, brilliant eyes intently studying her face. Never had he appeared to his friend so dangerously handsome as now, when for the first time he was brought face to face ! with the woman whom Harvey madly worshipped. He had the pale, clear-cut features, the thin, dilating nostril, and sen sitive, impassioned lips of the high-bred, haughty aristocrat of the far South; but his brilliant eyes could melt and soften with a ten derness infinitely more seductive because of their natural fire. And now fate had thrown this man with his unsurpassed fascination of ! manner, his dangerous charm of person, all heightened by the allurement of great wealth, | into juxtaposition with a woman • to whom Na- 1 ture nad been even more benignant than to him i —a woman who had from childhood reigned queen of hearts by virtue of her wonderful love- ' liness; and even in fair Baltimore, a city famed ' for its beauty, had won the proud title of “la beUe des belles.” Would this man, too, bend his haughty neck to the all-subduing yoke? Was it admiration or amusement written on his face now, as he sat bending forward to talk to her? Esteebrook was unable to decide; but he could not longer endure the torture of being a spectator. With ' a murmured apology to his partner in regard to r some previous engagement, he crossed the room rapidly and leant over Miss Clydesdale: •We are about to have a waltz,’ he said hur- riediy; ‘may I remind you of an engagement of a week’s standing ? Aylmer, I believe Julia Is yet unclaimed.' Ada raised her large, dark eyes languidly: j ‘A waltz?’ she said indifferently; ‘is it not too j warm ? And besides are you quite sure that ! these country musicians of yours oan play even j passably creditable music ? Fancy their mur- ! dering dear, delicious Strauss—as they will !’ I A cloud of disappointment and indignation j darkened Harvey’s face. Did she really prefer continuing this already too-lengthened iete-a- ete to the dance she had professed so passion ately to eDjoy ? She was searching Aylmer’s face with hardly concealed interest; was she hoping that he would interoede to have her ex- excused ? Aylmer himself settled the question. He rose with every appearance of pleasure, and said heartily: ‘A waltz with Miss Julia? I shall be only too happy; she dances exquisitely;’ and with a slight bow to Miss Clydesdale he left her and went m quest of Julia. A sudden malicious gleam shot from the la dy’s eyes; a vivid flame leapt into her cheek; she looked at her young host with ill-disguised scorn as she said in clear, ringing toneB: ‘Are you quite satisfied? How very trans parent waa this rose to break np a few moment’s would-be amateurs !’ For once his perverse companion condescend ed to be obliging. 'Asyou will,’ she answered carelessly, and they turned at once towards the house. Tho music-room was very nearly deserted; Miss Seddon had abandoned the piano-stool and departed for places unknown. A few cou ples sauntered aimlessly about, whispering light nothings, and indulging in a very mild species of flirtution. Ada swept her bright eyes searchingly around the room ; then, while a visible shade of disap pointment crossed her features, she drew off her gloves and took her seat before the instru ment, a handsome Weber. ‘ Will you allow me to make my own selection, to-night ?' she asked, presently, looking up at Harver who leant over her with his whole heart shining in his expressive eyes ; and without waiting for his answer, she struck the first chords of a prelude. Rich, and soft the white keys answered to the skilled touch, as the jeweled hands swept them ; then the first clear notes of a Germon love-song stole like the tinkle of crystal waters on the ear, higher and stronger swelled the magnificent voice ; until the passionate music flooded the hushed rooms, and floateing oat into the silence of the Summer night seemed to ‘ Rise straight up to heaven, And die among the stars.’ Not nnfil the last note ceased to echo, did the musician raise her eyes and glance around the now crowded apartment. Was he there? had he, too, been drawn hurriedly back from his moonlight ramble, magnetized, as were the others, by that marvellous voice? A low, mel low voice at her side spoke her name ; and turn ing she met Aylmer’s dark eyes bent upon her with a look that caused the blood to dye her cheek. Harvv saw it; and with a mattered apology he sprang through an open window near him, and disappeared. Poor fellow ! the poison of jealousy was already working in his honest heart, Ada scarcely noticed his absence. The proud, trained belle—the cool calculating woman of the world—felt her heart bound with a sensa tion it had never known before, as the elegant gentleman beside her poured forth in low words his thank? for the song—his entreaty that she >— *'U J**t >■' mr if. ua fee; the souU of l.< r j voice. She sang again ag’ain it was a love song, but this time it was a plaintive strain; a lonely, im passioned heart seemed uttering its pain ami longing—its yearning and despair -through th ; mournful rhythm; and as Aylmer stea d by her side he asked himself could all this a .i d cf I feeling be assumed? Was | dewy youth and sparkling loveliness, really - sham? Never had he seen a more superb specimen of | womanhood. Her figure had all the pliant, willowy grace that artists love, with the full rounded outlines so rarely seen, save in riper years. Her neck and arms gleamed through their filmy covering of lace like fine-grained ivory; and her proud head rose from the curved throat with stately grace. He had been prepared to anatomize her coolly as some rare piece of mechanism—to despise her in truth, for the pain he plainly saw she had wantonly caused his gallant hearted friend: and yet—her subtle, enchanting beauty intoxi cated even him; threw him for a short while off his guard. As the song ended, and Ada half-gaily raised her loug-lashed eyes to him, he leant over her victor ; the only man who had ever been able to touch her heart. With Harvey she had some weeks before our story opens entered iDto a nondescript engagement ; an arrangement that fettered the man with bands of steel, and yet left her free to accept any other suitor whose attractions, or more properly speaking, whose minute?. This Louisianian is fascinating. 1 ! worldly possessions, were superior to those of confess that Baltimore could not furnish such ! the young Virginian ; himself, however, be it provokingly beautiful eyes; and he understands understood, no ordinary prize ; as he would in- thoroughiy well how to use them. Don’t you ' berit at no distant day one of the finest planta- think they resemble my own ? I fancy so. Ah, i tions on James river. Julia is waltzing; shall we take a turn ?’ i Before the arrival of Aylmer Holmes, between , The country musicians proved not altogether ! whom and Harvey there had existed for some j and said with a fervor he could have scourged unworthy interpreters oi Strauss; the music 1 years an unusually close friendship, this being himself for the next instant: was really good;and the vexed beauty, after a • his third visit to Sedgemore since the close of ‘Ah, you will never have to plead for love ! few moments waltzing, exhilarated by her fa- ! their college days. Ada had managed by adroit It is—it must be poured out lavishly vorite amusement, smiled np at her gloomy ; questioning of unsophiscated Julia, to learn partner and whispered with a witchery that j that he was undisputed hair to an immense es- Harvey could ill-withstand. i tate—a prominent feature of which was a sugar ‘Are you still unrelenting ? See! your Ada is i plantation in Louisiana, in itself a handsome all contrition.’ fortune, and a winter home in New Orleans. ‘Are you indeed mine, Ada? my peerless This consideration would in the eyes of so beautiful queen! Tell me now—now, darling— thorough a woman of the world have invested the young Southerner with sufficiently power ful attractions ; and the scheming brain had even before his arrival determined upon mak may I believe that yon mean what yon say ? Can I call you for ever and ever my very own ?’ The frank, manly face was bent close to hers: his mtlstache brushed her cheeks; his eyes, eag- | ing this golden prize the culminating triumph erand anxious searched her own. But the col- of°lier imperious reign ; but when Harvey pre- or did not deepen in the woman’s cheek, not i sented him, and be stood in his erect, manly a tremor marred the clear music of her voice, i beauty before her, with his highbred, handsome as she answered lightly and smilingly to the face, and the haughty pride of the Southern earnest appeal: j aristocrat toned down by the Southern reverence ‘Hush! hush, I beg you! how shockingly im- ! for woman, the heart of the trained belle felt an petuous you are. Have you not happiness unwonted thrill, and for almost the first time in enough for to-night ? Leave the future ucqnes- ! her spoilt life, a vague embarrassment quicken- tioned—at least a little longer, the present, just now, is very pleasant. Yuu dance more than passably well—and I, oh Confess, Harvey, that mine is the very poetry of motion. Is "it street to you to glide around this flower-wreathed room clasping me thus ?—and am I presenta- bly pretty to-night ?' He looked at her a moment as they floated on to the slow, sweet music, with a shadow in his honest eyes that would have touched a more womanly woman to tho heart. Bat her beauti ful head lay on his shoulder, his lip almost touched the waves of her burnished hair, and those wonderful eyes that had wrought woe in so many gallant hearts were raised wistfully to his own. A moment, and the dark mistrust that pos sessed him was exorcised. He smiled down upon her with proud tenderness, and whisper ed, ‘No ! not presentabiy pretty, but madden ingly beautiful! If I could know that my fu ture must be spent without you, I would ask you to slay me with your own hand—and 1 would die gladly at your feet!’ Did no passing pang of remorse for the swift ruin she was working, trouble her for an in stant, as she felt the rapid throbs of his heart, and saw the feverish excitement that flushed his fine features and lighted his eye ? Did no momentary thrill of shame for herself, of pity for him, cloud the placid beauty of her fair, false face—dye with deeper blueh the purity of her cheek ? Ada Clydesdale was a stranger to such mo tions. So utterly did she worship her own love ly person; so entirely did all her thoughts and aims and interests in life centre in self, that no ed its calm pulsations. Before the conversation had continued half an hour, Ada had decided that this man was not unworthy to receive the prize for which so many had contended; and she resolved that at all hazards she would conquer and win him. In the meantime, however, until this triumph was assured, she must not release her hold upon Harvey; who, in case cf some unforseen inter ruption of her plans, might do as a last resort — a reserve, kept conveniently near to fall back upon, should she And her more ambitious Bcheme frustrated. But was even Ada Clydesdale invincible? and are not even the most skillful fencers sometimes foiled with their own weapons ? It was late in the evening; most of the tired dancers had dropped from the circle, and were either promenading the long, rose-shaded ver andah, or wandering in the moonlight through the handsome grounds. Miss Clydesdale was among the latter plea sure-seekers, and Harvey was still her escort. But the young Baltimorean's face was indicative of anything rather than enjoyment; her white brow was contracted, her red lips wore an un deniable pout, and her conversation was fast becoming too spicily sarcastic for Harvey’s thorough delectation, when the sound of music floating to them through the still, flower-scent ed air, suggested a diversion. ‘How very ridiculous of Laura Sedden to be attempting operatio mnsic t It makes one’s nerves quiver. I do hope Aylmer is not within hearing; his taste is so exquisitely cultivated. Come, Ada ! will you not sing? it will be delici ous to witness the astonishment of some of these your feet by all about you. One glance of those eyes, Miss Clydesdale, is more potent to subdue men than the famed sword of Excalibnr !’ The woman felt her heart give an exultant bound. The game was won already! This haughty Southerner who had all his life held the reins of government over others, like all the men she had ever known, had laid himself prostrate before her conquering chariot-wheels, Now that she was sure of him she could wield her sceptre as royally as she pleased. With a half-frown, a slight air of haughty surprise, she rose from the instrument: ‘I have heard, sir,’ she said, ‘that you gentlemen of the far South are most adroit flatterers. Pray spare yourself further trouble; I am quite willing to believe you possessed of this accomplishment without more convincing proof than you have already given me.’ A sudden angry flash leapt into the yonng man’s eyes; a spot of fiery color burnt on his cheek; then his native tact and quickness came to his aid. He bowed low, and answered lightly ‘Pardon, ma’amselle ! I was awkward enough to forget while you were singing that real feel ing does not pass current in society in this era. For a moment I imagined that spurious coin gave the ring of true, tried gold ! Shall we seek the cool, out-dcor air ? The moonlight is too bewitching to be wasted.’ ( CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.) A Fact Worth Knowing. Set a pitcher of ice water in a room inhabited and in a few hours it will have absorbed nearly all the perspiration gasses of the room, the air of which will become purer, but the water ut terly filthy. This depends upon the fact that the water has the faculty of condensing and thereby absorbing nearly all the gasses. At or dinary temperature, a pint of water will con tain a pint of carbonic acid gas and several pints of ammonia. This capacity is nearly doubled by reducing to that of ice. Hence wa ter kept in a room awhile is always unfit for use, and should be often removed, whether it has become warm or not. And for the same rea son the water in a pump should be pumped out in the morning before any is used. That which has stood in a pitcher over night is not fit for coffee water in the morning. Impure water is as injurious to health as impure air, and every person should provide the meanB of obtaining fresh pure water for our domestic use. •