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lewism. grist, Proprietor, j Jnbcpenbcnt Jamilj) Hetospaptr: Jfor tjjc llromotion trf t|e political, Social, ^griralhtral anb Commercial Interests of tjje j&ontjj. |TERMS.$3.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
VOL. 24. YOEKYILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, FEBETJAIRY 14, 1878. HQ. 7.
#«giual JFtotg.Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MARIPOSA;OR,
THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTER XII.As Myra had told Helen, the intercourse
between them was not likely to become veryfrequent, for the time of the former was continuallyoccupied. Wheu not engaged ink.tudohnM duties, she was obliged to devoteherself to studying, and practicing upon the
harp, in order to fit herself to instruct others.For Mrs. Dashwood, though averse to her
husband's spending money upon the girl, forwhom she felt a deeply rooted dislike, was
aware that it was a good investment to haveher educated for a teacher, as she would thenbe able to support herself and rid them of her
presence.Mrs. Dashwood's dislike had deeper grounds
than Myra was aware of. The time hadbeen when Grosvenor Dashwood, Myra'sfather, then a handsome young lieutenant inthe Navy, had paid particular attention to
her, and won ber regard, or something more,
iu return. She was, at that time, a gay, handsomegirl, devoted to wealth and fashion.
Though possessing but little of the former, she
managed to make a show in the gay world,and had the reputatiou of being a beauty anda belle. Grosvenor Dashwood's fancy was attractedby ber, but not his heart. He amusedhimself, while on shore, with carrying on an
energetic flirtation with her, knowing all thetime, that with no other means at his disposalbut his pay, he was not in a condition to marry
a girl who had a dread of poverty, even
were he so inclined. Worldly-minded as AugustaBryan was, even at that age, her affectionin this instance conquered her worldliness,and had Grosvenor Dashwood placed himselfand his lieutenant's pay at her disposal, shewould undoubtedly have taken advantage of
Ko Hirl nnf. and she discover-
ed, whea too late, that she had suffered her- heart to become involved, only to reap disappointmentand discomfiture as the result
of her imprudence. Her fancied lover tookleave of her, with professions of regret thatwere half real, half assumed, and a very indefiniteallusion to the hope of meeting her
again. But it was many years before this
meetiug did take place, and circumstances inthe meantime had greatly changed for themboth. She was married, (having bestowedher hand, in a moment of pique, upon Mr.Lambert, a rather elderly and very uninterestingindividual,) and was the mother of onechild, a little boy. Her former admirer was
also married to a very lovely and amiable
girl, quite as poor as himself, he
was devotedly fond. His health was broken
by a severe illness from which he had suffered,unnmnrl narfrrtlv hanny and .(inntpnf?
ed. Mrs. Lambert, who had, through allthese years and change of events, never overcomeher keen mortification at his treatment
of her, conceived a bitter hatred of his unoffendingwife, whom she regarded, unjustlyenough, as the cause of her own disappointment.She could not pursuade herself but
I** that Grosvenor would have married her hadthis new object of attraction not come in his
way. Years passed and the intercourse betweenthem was slight. Other changes came.
Mr. Lambert died, and after a decent periodof mourning, his widow again married, hersecond husband being Helen's uncle, as thereader already knows. In the mean time herhated rival had also become a widow, andlived in great poverty with her little girl,earning a scanty support by dress-making,for Grosvenor had left her uothiug. Shortlyafter Augusta's second marriage, the hardworkingwidow was stricken with yellowfever, which brought her earthly labors to a
close, and little Myra, a penniless orphan,fell into the hands of strangers, from whichshe was afterwards rescued by Mr. EdmondDashwood, her father's near relative, andtaken to live beneath his roof. His wiferuled him iu most things, but in this he stoutly
maintained his own way. Grosvenor andhe had been like brothers iu boyhood, he said,and his orphan daughter should not want a
home while he had one to offer her. Havingcarried his poiut iu this particular, he yieldedthe more easily to Mrs. Dash wood's opposition,when another orphan child appealed to himfor protection, and his wife vowed that no
more relatives in distress should force themselvesupou him, or, if they did, that she
would have nothing to do with them. Myra,though sheltered from want, soon found thather lot in her new abode was not destined to
be a happy one. Her aunt, as she was taughtto call her, abhorred the sight of her, andthis abhorrence seemed to strengthen, ratherthan diminish, as years went on. Of the realcause of her antipathy no oue was aware, andher husband, as well as the child herself, alwaysbelieved that it sprung from the fact ofMrs. Grosvenor Dashwood having been lesswell-born than the other family connections,and, still worse, having disgraced them bythe lowly occupation of a dressmaker. But
although sufficiently haughty and contemptuousof those whom she considered her inferiors,to have deemed these very strong ob
jections, they might have been overcome,
had there not been a still greater one underlyingthem. She never forgave Myra'smother, even after the resentment should
have been covered by the grave, and this resentmentwas wreaked upon her iuuoceut descendantand namesake.It was, perhaps, no great disadvantage to
Helen that she was debarred, in a measure,
from the society of her cousin, whose companionshipwould not have proved very congenialor improving to her. Poor Myra, besidesbeing embittered by a long course of harshnessand neglect, did uot possess a naturallysweet or loveable disposition, though, withkinder treatment, her better traits would,doubtless, have developed themselves more
fully than they had been permitted to do.There was a touch of sharp wordliness abouther, moreover, quite antagonistic to Helen'sfresh, ingenuous simplicity, which jarred painfully
upon the latter, and made her, in spiteof her desire to render the neglected girl happy,
instinctively shrink from anything likeintimate or confidential intercourse with her.She was most careful, however, not to betraythis sentiment, and her uniform kindness andconsideration won for her a sort of grudgingaffection from Myra, who could not overcome
a jealous feeling at Helen's superior advan-
tages, while at the same time she was forcedto admire and esteem her for her generousdisposition aud many amiable traits.
Myra, in her secluded and dreary life, hadfallen, among other ways of occupying hersolitary hours, upon the plan of keeping a
journal, to which she devoted most of thetime which she had at her own command,though this was not much, since she was gen!erally obliged to be busy, even when alone,with some alloted task. The following are
specimeus of some of the entries in this jour1nal, after Helen's arrival at her uncle's.May 12th..I have been sewing all the after-
dood, and my head aches, but 1 will write a
little before going to bed. I would not godown in the parlor this evening, though unclewished me to. I was in no mood to join thecircle there, so I made indisposition my exjcuse. Mr. Lacy is there, as usual. Tiresomeman ; he generally selects me as the object ofhis notice, I Buppose, because nobody else willtalk to him. I, of course, am expected to begrateful for any attention 1 may be honoredwith, whether I am bored by it or not. Helenis noticed by everybody, except him. Odd;ly enough, he does not seem to care to offerher the incense of his flattery and adulation.
This morning, aunt Augusta told me thatshe had heard of a situation which it is likelyI may obtain next Fall, if I work hard inthe mean time. It is that of under-teacherin a school a few miles out of the city. Ispoke of it afterwards to uncle, and he poohjpoohed the idea, and said it was one of myaunt's whims, and there was time enough tothink about my getting a situation. But Iknow well enough that if she insists upon it hewill give up to her, and I don't care if hedoes. I am so sick of my life here, that Iwould be willing to accept almost any positionout of this house, even that of under-teacherin a village school.
Speaking of people being attentive to Helen,I forgot one other exception to the rule,and a very important one. 1 am filled withmalicious triumph, wheu I see my aunt's chagrinat the failure of her continual endeavorto bring Allan and Helen together in therole of lovers. I have known, from the first,her intense anxiety to get Helen's fortune forher son, and I believe she never ceases, nightor day, laying plans to bring that result about.Notwithstanding her frequent betrayal, (unintentional,of course,) of this anxiety, I verilybelieve that Helen is totally unconscious ofit, so far. That girl is wonderfully simpleand undiBcerning. I feel at least a millionyears her senior. As to Allan, 1 can't masehim out, exactly. My usual penetration is atfault in regard to him. Sometimes, I believehim to be really indifferent to Helen. Sometimes,I think he pretends indifference, simplyto irritate his mother ; or, it may be, becausehe does not choose to have her arrange thematter for him. If she pushes him too far,she may defeat her own object. Helen doesnot seem to concern herself at all about hisbehavior. Of course, he is always courteousto her. 1 think his manners are perfect, andshe seems entirely satisfied. She is so quietand cool, that I never can tell what she reallyfeels. She is not as lively, by the way, as shewas at flrst. I mean, after she got over herfirst home-sickness. I think the atmosphereof this house weighs heavily upon her. Iknow she is dying to get away.
Allan is pointedly cold to me, but I am tooihjii aufusiumeu to inavto care very mircrrvnow. I used to half break my foolish heartover it once, when I had, somehow, got to
fancy that he.well, liked me.and found outmy mistake. The idea of my ever allowingmyself to think about him ! It was absurd.But such was the case, in my bread-aud butterdays. Fortuuately, I am wiser now.
Just think if any one should read this!Bat my journal won't tell any tales. I keepit too safely under look and key for that.May 30th..Last night everybody went to
the opera. Strangely enough, the "everybody"this time iuciuded even me. I was
amazed when Aunt came to my room andtold me to get ready. Mr. Lacy went withus, and as usual was palmed off upon me for
- rru Ty i. T.entertain men i. ine opera was r aust. iijwas lovely, but I did not thoroughly enjoy it,because I was feeling ill. I have had a goodraauy spells of indisposition lately. I dou'tseem to be very strong, somehow, for I losemy breath if I walk fast, or lift anythingheavier than usual. Perhaps I may be goinginto a decline; who knows ?"
After writing that just now, I went andlooked at myself in the glass. Yes. I reallythink my face has changed of late. I am
very thin, and my eyes seem to be goingback in my head. I fancy I was intendedby nature to be pretty. If I was an heiress,I would be, no doubt.June 4th..It vexes me so whenever I am
led into betrayiug to Aunt that I am afraidof her. I am, and there's no denying it, butI would give anything for the courage to defyher opeuly. I have no respect for myself,because whatever spirit I may have beenonce endowed with has been crushed out ofme utterly, and I tremble and cringe, insteadof showing that I do not care. Thetyranny I am subjected to becomes more andmore unbearable every day. Aunt is delightjed to find opportunities of humiliating me
before others, and gave an instance of thisyesterday at the lunch table. I had dressedhurriedly, being late, and went down withoutre-arranging my hat, not expecting to fiudany oue present but the family. There were
two lady-visitors there, however, and in themidst of lunch I felt t<> my dismay that one
of my braids had come loose and was slippingout of the comb at the back of my head.I put ray hand up as quietly as I could, to
try and fasten it unperceived, and ju|^ thencaught Aunt's eye. She looked direct'y atme, stopped short in what she was saying,and exclaimed in a tone that attracted everybody'snotice."Myra, are you not ashamed to come to
table iD such a style? How often must I reproveyou for uutidy, slovenly habits! I amperfectly ashamed of you!"
I felt my face grow scarlet, and one of theladies said, yery good-naturedly.
"Miss Myra has such thick hair that it isno wonder she does not find it easy to makeit stay up."
"It is not that," said my aunt. "She ishabitually careless and regardless of appearjances. No one with the instiucts of a ladyuv.nlH Ko bii indiffprpnt to the dictates of com-noon neatness and respectability."
I would have left the room, if I had had a
particle of spirit, but I sat there, looking, no
doubt, like a fool, choking my mortificationdown as well as I could, until lunch was over.
This is only one iustance of the insulting rejbukes I constantly receive.June 9th..Allan has been more attentive
to Helen, of late. He has asked her to ridewith him twice this week, and yesterday Ifound him reading poetry to her in the parilor. I suppose he can't resist the attractionof her wealth, which outweighs his objectionto being made a puppet of by my aunt. Ofcourse, there is no reason why he shouldn't bereally in love with Helen.only he isn't. Itis easy enough to see that.
July 2nd..Something amazing has hapIpened.something that it uearly takes awaymy breath to think about. In fact, I cannotrealize it yet, at all, though it happened two
days ago.Aunt and Helen had gone out driving, and
Uncle was down town. Allan, of course, was
not at home, and I was all alone in the li'brary, when Dan came in and told me that
...M..
Mr. Lacy had called. I was just trying tomake up an excuse for not seeing him, whenin he walked.
"I am sorry every one is out," I said, I amafraid, not over politely, for I did not wantthe trouble of having to talk to hira."Do you count yourself as nobody, Miss
Myra ?" he rejoined, smiling, as he shookhands with me. I must own that he hasa pleasant smile.
"Pretty much," said I."I knew that your aunt and cousin were
out, fori met them," he continued. "As tothe gentlemen, I never expect to find them inat this hour. So you see you must take myvisit entirely to yourself."
This surprised me a little, but I said nothIiog. I tried to entertain him as well as Icould for a short time, but he seemed absentand queer, and I was getting very muchbored, when he suddenly exclaimed, jumpingup."Miss Myra, let's take a little walk in the
garden.it's a delightful afternoon, ana theroses smell so sweet."
I never knew him admire or care aboutflowers before. However, I was rather gladof the diversion ; so out we went. Instead ofstopping to look at or smell the roses, he ledthe way at once to the shady part of thegrounds, where there are only trees andshrubs, and as we walked along, asked me totake his arm. As I did so he took my handand held it in a loose, shy sort of way. Nodoubt he read my astonishment in my face,for I saw him color up, and all in an instanthe blurted out a proposal.actually a proposalof marriage! I can not recall the wayit was worded. I was so confused I could onlymake out the general sense of what he was
saying, but his meaning was quite distinct.I really thought, for a moment, I must bedreaming. He said he had long intended todeclare his sentiments, but had thought it advisableto wait until 1 was old enough to
judge properly of my feelings in the matter."It is quite unexpected," I managed to
stammer out, presently."I am sorry.that is, I hoped it would not
surprise you very much," he replied. "I am
aware that there is a great discrepancy ofyears between us; but I would try and softenthis objection by conforming myself in everypossible way to your tastes and pursuits."
While he waited for an answer, I ran mymiud rapidly over all the pros and cons of thequestion. My uppermost thought, I candidlyacknowledge, was the triumph I would enjoyover my aunt, if I accepted Mr. Lacy's offer.He is a man of influence and wealth, and as
his wife, I would occupy a very different positionfrom the one I hold here, and must continueto hold, as long as I am an object ofray uncle's charity, aud my aunt's contempt.Besides, I have a respect for Mr. Lacy, andknow him to be thoroughly good and uprightif he is prosy and dull.
I could not, however, make up my mind allat once, and at last, I told him so. He was
very kind about it; assured me that he wouldnot press me for an answer, but let me take as
much time as I required to think it over. Ofcourse, he added, he hoped I would be generousenough not to keep him unnecessarily longin suspense. I promised him, then, to givehino a definite reply on that day week.nextThursday. In the meantime, I have not said
* \ i
a word on tbe subject to any one, ana aon t
mean to until it is settled. I think, on tbewhole, I will accept hira.J.* tM-4. A. .'. fti«ll..bu Mill bir
when she hears about it!Although, I am not in love with Mr. Lacy,
(the very idea of that is absurd) yet I havehad a kinder feeling toward him than ever
before, since that happened, and I am beginningto discover good traits in his character,that I was not previously aware of.
July 10th..It is all settled. This eveningI said yes, and now he is in the library talkingto LJncle. I don't know how I feel aboutit. I am still all in a maze.
CHAPTER XIII.Myra's engagement to Mr. Lacy, of which
we have permitted her to give an account forherself, was, as she had anticipated, a surpriseto the whole household. Her unclewas sincerely glad, and congratulated herwarmly on her prospects. He had a greatesteem for Mr. Lacy ; considered hira a thoroughlyreliable and good-hearted man, andwas sure he would make an excellent husband. Mrs. Dashwood was partly pleased,partly piqued. It was a satisfaction to her to
get rid ofMy ra, but the satisfaction was scarce[ly equal to her chagriu at the idea of the cidevantobject of her tyrannical authority beingelevated into a social and influential positionquite equal to her own. Mr Lacy, hough hehad never made a display of wealth, was, as
she knew, fully as well off as her husband,and Myra would have ample means at herdisposal. Already, as his fiancee, her positionin the family was changed, for Mr. Lacy'sfuture wife could not be treated with the ignominyaud neglect which the penniless orphan,without prospects, had received. Mrs.Dashwood contented herself with treating thesubject, when discussing it with her friends, ina half sneering sort of way, speaking of Mr.Lacy a9 "the old gentleman," and sayingthat "poor Myra would doubtless find a greatchange in her life. Mr. Lacy was scarcely a
person to accommodate himself to the fauciesof a young girl, but presumed it would be allfor the best. Of course as far as the financialpart of the affair went, it was entirelysatisfactory." Allan, as usual, offered no
opinion aud testified no astouishment. Helenwas unfeignedly astonished, but did not knowwhether to be pleased or not.
"I had no idea you were in love with him,Myra," she said, seriously.Myra laughed ; her spirits had risen wonderfullysince the settlement of the affair."I had no idea of it either, Helen, I assure
you," she replied."But are you?" queried Helen, earnestly."Indeed, I cannot answer that question,
because I have by no means arrived at a
positive opinion on the subject," was Myra'sreply. "But I don't think it matters verymuch.do you ?""Why, yes, I do," said Helen, aghast. "I
think people are very wrong to marry withoutlove. But perhaps you are in love auddon't know it," she added, hopefully. Myralaughed again."Your artlessness i9 amazing to me, Helen,
considering that you have been at boarding5school too! But see here, would you adviseme, under the circumstances, not to marry ?"
"I would not undertake to advise that, bejcause I believe Mr. Lacy to be a good man,and you may be very happy with him."
"It would be unfortunate, iudeed, if I were
not happier with him than I have been inthis house," said Myra, more seriously. " Youcannot imagine.you, who have been caress:ed, flattered, loaded with gifts and tributes ofadmiration ever since you have been here.You who have beeu happy and well-treated allyour life; who have never known the pain of
neglect, the mortification of constant slights,the bitterness of feeling yourself utterly un-
loved.you cannot imagine the relief ofknowing that some one is ready and waitingto give you a comfortable, peaceful home, totake you away from all these trials and humiliationsand place you above the reach ofthose whose continual employment and delighthas been to make you suffer. No," shecontinued, excitedly, "you can never knowhow I feel. No one can who has not occupiedthe same position. As well place a cup ofwater before a parched, thirsting, faintingman, and expect him not to drink it, as to
offer me a means of escape from this prisonhouse,and expect me to refuse it 1" ,
"I know you have suffered here," saidHelen, gently.
"Suffered 1 No mortal can tell how mueh,"exclaimed Myra. "Oh 1 Heleu, 1 am not the
sort of person I might have been if I hadbeen kindly and properly cared for. Allthat is worst in my nature has been broughtto light and cultivated into a strong growth.All the bad passions of hatred and jealousyand anger, and everything else that is horri-ble and unchristian ; and the little good thatwas born in me has been trampled and stifledout of existence. My heart is like a gardenoverrun with noxious weeds, where the poor j
little flowers that might have grown, are deador dying from evil surroundings and neglect.I have wished.oh ! how often.that I haddied when my mother did. It would havebeen far better for me. I feel, now, as if myonly chance of ever becoming good for any-tbing is to be taken away from the people Ihate.the person, rather. I don't hate theothers.and have some counteracting in-fluence exercised over me. I may turn outfit for something, perhaps, as the wife of a
good, kind man like Mr. Lacy, even thoughhe may not be the sort of person I would (
have chosen as my ideal of a partner for life.The wonder to me is, by the way, how heever came to think of choosing me ! As to
my not being in love with him, I really don'tthink it will affect either his happiness or
mine. I certainly respect him from the bottomof my heart, and it is possible.thoughI don't know much about such things.that (I-. «fl«» T tnnnj him hatter. At1U VC WCkJ UUUJO AibVi JL muvtT M*«M
all events, I am most grateful to bim, andthat* alone will make me endeavor to fulfillmy duty." ,
Myra was quite breathless with this longspeech, the longest Helen had ever heard hermake. She was very much in earnest, too,and showed more evidence of true feeling inher concluding words than she was in thehabit of displaying. Helen kissed her cheekwith a new feeling of sympathy, for she now
saw her in a better l:ght than before. "Onlyyou must not say you hate any one, Myra,"she whispered. "You will try and get over
that feeling, now, won't you.""Perhaps, I may be able to, when I am out
of the way," said Myra, a little doubtfully.Helen did not urge the point, neither did shesay anything more in regard to Myra's love"for her betrothed husband. She felt that the-coming change in her |ife miiAl.n^^ajilv.be a benefit to ber, and that with its new influencesto sof.en the sharp edges of her disposition,and develop its latent good qualities,there was a fair prospect of her becoming a
better and happier woman.
Id the meantime, as Myra had noticed, a
difference in Allan's behavior had becomeperceptible. He was certainly more assiduous
iu his attentions to Helen, than he hadever been since her arrival in New Orleans.To his mother's great satisfaction, he now
appeared generally ready and willing to beher escort in rides, walks, aud to places of
public amusement. And, as he very well* i » ir 1? i
knew now to make nimsen exct euingiy agree-able when he chose, Helen began to find himquite entertaining, and her liking for him increasedin proportion to the growth of the intimacybetween them. She did not questionhis motives, or puzzle herself lo account forhis altered conduct, not being sufficiently interestedto give herself much concern on thesubject. But as he certaiuly had it in hispower to make her time pass more pleasantlythan before, and succeeded in so doing, shewas naturally quite willing to profit by hisnew eagerness to please her. Allan, on hispart, was not insensible to her attractions.He thought her very pretty, very amiable,and quite intellectual enough to be companionable.Still, for all this, he was not at allin love with her, for it is not by any rule ofreason or expediency that the blind god arrangessuch affairs. To Mrs. Dashwood, itseemed a piece of wonderful folly that he was
not eager and anxious to secure Helen's hand,as a prize well worth the possession of anyman. Though, whether this prize would haveappeared so valuable without the appendageof her large fortune, (at least, in her eyes,) isa matter of rather more than doubt. Allan,to do him justice, was not mercenary. Notthat he objected to wealth, but he wouldscarcely have put himself out of his way inorder to obtain it. But he was rather lazy,and disliked the effort of continuously opposinghimself to an attacking force. And aftermaintaining, for some time, a sort of phlegmaticobstinacv. aerainst which Mrs. Dash-wood's battery of argument, persuasion and *
reproach seemed to be vainly brought intoplay, be suddenly appeared to change his tactics,and to allow himself to be persuaded, or
at least, overcome. But ha was very far, yet,'
from bringing himself to make a formal pro-1
posal of marriage, or even from definitelycontemplating such a step.
In his mother's satisfaction at this new line jof conduct, she was ready to be far more graciousto Myra than she would otherwise haveshown herself, and a sort of truce was estab- '
lished between tbem, which continued, un- '
broken, until after the time of the wedding.This affair, according to the wish of bothparties concerned, took place very quietly Jone morning at church, not more than sixweeks after the engagement. There was no
company or fuss of any sort, and the bride iwent directly to her husband's house. Helenwas the one bridesmaid, and Allan the "bestman," on the occasion. Mr. Dashwood hadproposed a wedding party, or, at least, a
breakfast; but Myra very decidedly refused,~ . J /IM nn» nruoi fho matf-pr fpplincr it.auu lie UIU UUV J^IVUU WMV H<»VWt| .VV..w& ..
wiser to let her have her way. I"Now, my dear Allan," said Mrs. Dash-
wood, finding herself alone with him shortlyafter their return home, "now that this affairis over, and there is leisure to think about i
more important things, why not address your-self at once seriously to the duty of accom- jplishing the object which you have in view?You know quite well what I mean?""Oh ! yes, I know what you mean," care-
lessly rejoined Allan, who was stretched on a
lounge in her dressing-room. It was a par-ticularly comfortable lounge, and he hadsought it rather orfJ this account, than fromany special anxietjr.tf avail himself of hismother's society.
"Then, my dear boy, why not profit by theopportunity? You could not choose a more
favorable time.""Do you think the force of example is so
powerful ?" lazily asked her son. "Myra hasno doubt given a very striking instance ofwise behavior, but I am not sure that MissForester is so impressed by it as to be inririsiA/)trt in lior fnAffl^na "UUUtU H/ 1UIIVIT lUilUVUIUVV»«J 1U UV> *WWWV|/V.
"Nonsense ; the cases are totally different.Myra's example has nothing whatever to dowith it. My meaning was that you now standa particularly good chance of uninterruptedintercourse with Helen.""Not any better than heretofore, that I
can see," interrupted Allan, provokingly."Myra certainly never offered any impedimentto our intercourse. She was too constantlybusy about her own affairs, or yours.""Well, but Mr. Lacy was continually here,
as you know ; and that will not be the case
now. At any rate, I wish you wouldn't trifleand procrastinate any longer," said Mrs.Dashwood, urgently."I'm sure I haven't been trifling, mother.""Then yon are in earnest? So much the
better; and let me tell you, Allan, it is more
important than you think for, to get this mattersettled without delay.""Why so ?" asked Allan."I will show you." She opened a drawer
and took thence a business-looking letterwhich she placed in his bands. "I receivedthis yesterday afternoon ; but I would not sayanything to you about it until I had a chanceof talking the matter over quietly with you."
* ii j .u_ :.u «.1. i.nniillttu uptjueu IUC i 01 LCI WILLI uomjr-onaaguedinterest, and ran his eye rapidly over the
contents."Whew !" he ejaculated, when he had finished,"this looks pretty bad, I must say.""It does. You see Monsier Godard informs
me explicitly that there is now not the slightestchance of that lawsuit being decided in
my favor. With the failure of that, whatbecomes of your expectations ? Your father,is you well know, is greatly in debt, and if hewere to die to-morrow, his property wouldbave to go under the hammer. You understandnow the importance of taking a stepso indispensable to secure your future prosperity.""Godard certainly led me to entertain differentexpectations, when I saw him in Paris,"
laid Allan, slowly. "He must have been?ery much deceived, himself, or else purposelytried to raise a false hope in my mind.""Probably he did not at that time fully
:oraprehend the situation of affairs. At alljvents, he writes positively enough now.""If I thought it would be of any use, I
would go straight back to Paris and see
ibout it myoelf.""My dear, it would be useless trouble and
quiim j.li«w wl w i*j o taliiouilnj, cm^-stillcontinues to attend, in a trustworthy
manner to the business. You could so muchbetter employ yourself at home."Allan made a little impatient gesture, as
be addressed himself to the occupation ofreading through the French lawyer's lettersnce again. His mother's persistency on
this subject was like the "continual droppingsf water ou a very rainy day." He admittedto himself, however, that it would be no
trifling satisfaction to have the assurance
if so rich an indemnification for this presentloss, as Helen's fortune would be. This lawsuithad concerned the settlement of some
very valuable property claimed by his mothjr,in France, as a near descendant of thelate owner, who had died intestate. And forsome time her chances had seemed favorable,which rendered the present disappointmentmore aggravating.
It was, perhaps, with no very definite motivethat Allan sent up stairs, shortly after:his conversation, to invite Helen to drivewith him in his buggy that afternoon. Theinswer, however, was unfavorable to anylalf-formed plan he might have been revolvng;the young lady had a headache, and was
sorry she would be unable to accept the invi;ation.The heat of the day, combined with:be little excitement attendant on the wedling,had affected her unpleasantly, and shelid no appear at dinner.To console himself for his disappointment,
A.llan lit a cigar and strolled out, in the cool)f the evening, for a quiet walk.As he walked leisurely along, ruminating
)n the condition of things in general and bis)wn affairs in particular, a sudden commaiona little distance ahead of him attractedlis attention ; and gathering from a remark)f an excited individual near him that an accidenthad happened, he quickened his pace,ind soon arrived at the scene of the catastrophe.A lady, or girl, was being borne in the
irms of a police officer into a drug store at;he corner of the street. "Is she hurt?"nquired Allan, pressing closer to obtain a
jlirapse of her face.iiV.. l .1
i. CO, bUUVACU UUTTU SJl 1UU DTOIj VUQ VI
;he two.""Come, make way there, make way! Clear
jut here, everybody," cried the policeman,lutfroritatively, as the crowd attempted tofollow him into the shop. The door was
jlosed in their faces. Allan, however, on
iccount of his gentlemanly appearance, easilyobtained an entrance.
"Can I be of any assistance?" he inquired}f the proprietor of the establishment, whohad arranged a sofa comfortably and had theyoung lady deposited on it."A doctor has been sent for. There's one
just on the next square," was the reply.The sufferer was a girl of exquisite beauty,
to all appearance about sixteen or seventeen
years of age. Her eyes were closed, and theirlong, black lashes swept her perfectly colorlesscheek; her features were deathlike intheir absolute stillness, and but for a scarcelyperceptible flutter of her pulse, it would havebeen easy to imagine that life was extinct.
"It's ouly a faint, I expect," said the druggist."I can't make out that there are anybones broken ; though, of course, there maybe internal injuries."
Allan stood looking down on the beautiful.statuesque countenance of tbe unconsciousgirl with a feeling of deeper interest than hehad ever known. She was a perfect realizationof hia ideal of beauty. At the same
time her features reminded him strangely ofsome one he had before seen. He watchedher intently, longing to see her white lids
unclose and reveal the orbs of beauty he was
sure slumbered beneath.After a reasonably short delay the doctor
came. He was also a surgeon by professionand practice, and skillful enough in his way.He made a careful examination of Ufa patient'sinjuries, and pronounced them comparativelyunimportant."She will recover in a day or two," he said.
"She has received a violent shock, that's all.How did it happen ?"
»» UllO UOlCU.Ug tu o uco.. .
the accident, as gathered from an eye-witness,he busied himself employing means for herrestoration, which, at length, proved successful.Allan's heart gave a bound as the longwished-forinstant arrived, and slowly openingher large, soft dark eyes, she gazed, witha bewildered look, around."What.where am I?" she faintly asked.In a few words, she was informed of what
had occurred. She looked much distressed,and clasping her bands, she exclaimed, withunfeigned anxiety."Oh! I shall be too late. I will never get
there in time.""Where did you wish to go?" asked the
physician, kindly."To the theatre, sir; isn't it past the hour?""The hour for the performance, do you
mean ?""Yes, sir."Three watches were simultaneously pulled
out, and by joiot evidence it was establishedthat the hour was precisely a quarter to eight."Oh ! then, if I make haste I think I can
be ready," she exclaimed, in a tone of relief.But as she attempted to rise, her strengthfailed her, and she sank back again.
"Believe me, you are not fit for any exertionyet," said the physician. "Instead ofgoing to the theatre, let me persuade you to
go home and retire immediately to bed. Willyou be kind enough to call a carriage ?" headded, turning to Allan, who immediatelydeparted, with alacrity, on the errand.
[to be continued.]
Miscellaneous fteading.ASENATOR WHO FOUGHTA DOZEN DUELS.One of the prolific causes of duels in Georgiain the last decade of the last century, was
the "Yazoo Fraud." This was the purchaseof twenty millions of acres of Georgia territoryby a company called the "Yazoo Company,"for the paltry sum of 8207,000. TheLegislature was bribed into the passage ofthe bill. As soon as it became « law, thewhole people rose up in indignation. TheState was ablaze with passion. The legislatorswho voted for the bill were mobbed anddriven from their homes. Several were killed.One was hung. One was followed to
Virginia and killed there. At last the peoplemet in a mighty mass meeting, and takingthe fraudulent bill prepared to destroy it.An improvised orator declared that it mustbe destroyed by divine fire, and at the word,a gray-haired man held a sunglass over thenof/ikmont until it had bindlad intn apuiVUiUVUb umvii *w *iuv» uiuuivu iuw w
flame and ran to ashes. A s n matter nfcnnrsflthis popular spasm produced numberlessfeuds. Duels aud formal rencountres were ofdaily occurrence. At the head of the oppositionto this bill was Gov. James Jackson.amost remarkable man. He was a youngEnglishman, who by bis fearlessness and hispower, had so won the people that they electedhim Governor when he was twenty-fouryears of age. He was United States Senatorwhen the "Yazoo Fraud" was consummated,and he at once resigned his seat, came home,and canvassed the State for its repeal. Hewas unsparing in his denunciations, andreadily fought any man who excepted tohis utterances. Within a few months hefought half-dozen duels. One of these wasremarkable in its terms and conclusion. Hewas challenged to fight a duel at the conclusionof one of his speeches. Having becometired of the ordinary "affairs," he determinedto make this one a pattern thai would serveas a warning. He prescribed, therefore, thatbe and his opponent should each get into asmall boat at 9 o'clock at night and pull toopposite sides of the Savannah river. Atprecisely 12 o'clock they should start for a
thickly wooded island that lay in the middleof the river. Upon reaching the island eachman should stand by his boat for the spaceof ten minutes. He should then go into thewoods in search of his foe, and upon a rencountrethey should fight to the death. Neitherwas to be restricted in the weapons heused.The duel came off as arranged. It was a
dark night. Precisely at midnight the twoboats shot out from the opposing shores, eachbearing a solitary occupant. The island was
reached, and, after an hour and a half, two orthree gunshots were heard. At daybreakthe island was visited and a search was institutedfor the two duelists. Thev were foundat length, both prone on the ground. Jacksonwas lying next to the ground, his opponent,stock dead, stretched across his body.Jackson was alive and recovered from theeffects of the fight. For years and yearsJackson was the idol of Georgia, and left behindhim a posterity as brilliant and as braveas he himself..Philadelphia Times.
KRUPP'S GREAT GUN FACTORY.A correspondent writing from Berlin says :
"An international congress of rare characterassembled a short time ago at Bredelar, inRhenish Prussia. Mr. Krupp, the greatestgunmaker of the world and director of thecelebrated foundry at Essen, invited representativesof all nationalities.Russian, English,Austrian, Belgian, Spanish, Portugese,Danish, Brazilian and even Japanese.towitness the experiments of a new piece of artillery,the plated cannon, or, as it is calledin German, the "panzer canone." The numberof officers present at the interesting experimentswas fifty-five. The object was tosolve two problems considered extremely difficult,and which have hitherto defied the in-gcuuitj ui juvcubuio . rnob, a poiuiaugunpointing in aim ; secondly, the protection ofthe piece. Now, this new Krupp gun has no
recoil, and, therefore, it is only necessary toaim it once if the object does not change. Inthe second place it can neither be damagednor dismounted by the enemy. The artillerywho serve it are sheltered in a sort of sentrybox containing the gun and the gunners. Theroof and the exterior sides are protected byearth, while the front is pierced by a hole forthe passage of the mouth of the gun. Theenemy can see nothing but this hole. Theexperiment was so decisive that almost all theofficers wanted to go into the sentry box whiletwo enormous siege guns showered shot uponthem at short range. This invention maybring about a revolution in the art of defendingstrongholds.
It is known that the Emperor, while at themilitary manceurves at Essen, visited the factoryof the Messrs. Krupp, and this affair recallsthe origin of this great industrial family.When the first chief of the factory cameto Essen, the village had only 3,000 inhabitants.To day it has 40,000. Krupp commencedin 181,0 with ten workmen, and in1843 he had one hundred. It was his son,Alfred Krupp, that gave the establishmentthe ptodigieus development to which it has
reached to-day. It was from England thatbrought his method of making steel, and hehe has wonderfully improved upon it by combiningit with the Bessemer process. In 1863he had 4,000 hands employed, and he has9,000 at present. The buildings of the factorycover a space of over two hundred acres, andare surmounted by 100 chimneys. A workingman'scityy-. with three thousand houses,gives to the hands apartments which are rentedat from $40?to $80 a year. An associationfor providing food, with twenty-twosales-rooms, furnishes the inhabitants, at reducedprices, with all that they desire. Asingle bakery makes 400,000 pounds of breadin a month. There is in the factory of Essen413 steam engines, representing a total of 17,000horses, and 77 steam-hammers for strikingiron, among which figures the famoushammer called "Fritz," and which weighs100,000 pounds. There are thirty miles ofrailway communicating with the differentparts of the manufactory, as well as 40 milesof telegraphic hoes. I he establishment canmanufacture in twenty-four hours 2,700 rails,150 locomotive wheels, 180 wagon wheels and1,500 shells, and in a month, 250 field piecesand 54 othera of larger calibre.
~THE SPARTANS.THE MOST STRANGELY GOVERNED OF THE
ANCIENT PEOPLES.
Among the Spartans one kind of theft was
encouraged, and even authorized by the law,and by consent of the citizens; and this wastheir stealing herbs or roots from the gardensand public baths; but if they were caught inthe act, they were punished for want of dexterity.The design of the Spartan legislator,in allowing this practice, was to inspire theSpartan youths, who were designed for war,with a view to self-defence, and to extent ofdominion; wit, boldness, subtlety, and address; to inure them betimes to the life of a
soldier; to teach them to live upon a little,aud to be able to shift for themselves.
Corpulency incurred public contempt, andSometimes banishment Magnificent sepulchreswere forbidden; nor was the plainest,or most modest inscription permitted, exceptfor such as were slain in battle, or for womenwho bad devoted themselves to a religiouslife. Tears, sighs, and outcries were not permittedin public, because they dishonoredSpartans who ought to bear all things withequanimity. Graves were allowed in thecity, and they buried close to the temples,that all people might be familiar with death,and not conceive it as a thing dreadful in itself,or that dead bodies defiled the living.
Celibacy was regarded in men as infamous,and punished by various tokens of contemptIf a man did not marry when at full age, hewas liable to an action; as those also werewho married above or below themselves.Such as had three children had certain immunities,and those who had four were freefrom all taxes. Virgins were married withoutportions; and husbands were allowed tobeat their wives. The men of Sparta were
distinguished for their virtue, but the Spartanwomen for their boldness. Lycurguswould not allow all sorts of persons to travel,lest they should bring home foreign manners,and return infected with the licentiouscustoms of other countries.A soldier was the only reputable profession
in Sparta; a mechanic or husbandman waslooked upon with contempt. A soldier wasnever to fly or to turn his back upon his enemies,.liuweversuperior In number; or to quithis post; or to deliver up his arme; in a
word, either to conquer or die. A Spartanmother hearing that her son was killed inbattle (fighting for his country,) answeredcoldly:
"I brought him into the world for no otherpurpose."After forty years' service, a man was by
law no longer required to go into the field ;and, consequently, if the military age was
thirty years (for this was the period, it is supposed,at which they entered into the serviceof their country,) the Spartans were not heldinvalids till they were seventy. A prettyperiod of life for a soldier to retire from thearduous career or a warrior, ana to receivehie half-pay!
Drunkenness was considered infamousamong them, and punished ; and that youngmen might conceive the greater abhorrenceof this species of debauchery, the slaves were
compelled to drink to excess, that the beastlinessof the vice might appear. When theyretired from the public meals, they were notallowed any torches or lights, because it was
expected that men who were perfectly sobershould be able to find their way in the dark;besides, this practice gave them a facility ofmarching without light, a quality very usefulto them in time of war.As to dress, there was was no distinction
between the rich and poor. Their garmentswero made for use and not for show; andthey were taught betimes to distinguish themselvesby their virtues, rather than by theirrobes. Boys were always used to go withoutshoes, nor were they permitted to cut ortrim their hair. Bankers were not allowed,and interest was also forbidden in theSpartan commonwealth.A writer has observed with respect to Lycurgus,"That this legislator ordained that
the magistrates should not be appointed bylot, but elected by suffrages. He deprivedriches of the influence and respect annexeded them, and divested even love of jealousy."It has likewise been observed, "That themain design of Lycurgus, in the establishmentof his laws, and especially of that whichprohibited the use of gold and silver, was tocurb and restrain the ambition of his citizens,to disable them from making conquest, andin a manner to force them to confine themselveswithin the narrow bounds of their owncountry."The Paris Exposition Buidings..The
building of the coming Paris exhibition in1878, are the largest yet conceived for thepurposes. The nave of the main building isnearly 2,200 feet long, the vista, which includesthe two vestibules, is more than 2,300feet ar.d each of the traosepts and vestibulesmore than 1,100 feet. The eight industrialcourts are all parallel, and are divided intotwo series of four each; one series beingdevoted to the productions of France, and theother to the rest of the exhibiting nations.In the centre of the garden between the twoseries are two ranges of fine art galleries. Onthe opposite side of the river is the TrocaderoPalace, which is to be devoted to the historyof man from the savage state down to themost modern appliances of science and art. Itwill afterward be used as a municipal muse*urn.
JSSrBoswell once asked Johnson if therewas no possible circumstance under whichsuicide would be justifiable. ''No," was thereply. "Well," says Boswell, "suppose aman has been guilty of fraud that be was certainwould be found out." "Why, then,"says Johnson, "in that case let him go tosome country where he is not known; not tothe devil, where he is known."
figy The rate of growth of the human familyis curious. The most rapid increase takesplace immediately after birth, the growth ofan infant during the first year being abouteight inches, the ratio of increase graduallydecreasing until the age of three years, atwhich time the sise attained is half that whichwill be reached when full grown.S&* The man who said he had just got out
of a tight place had been seen a few minutesbefore wiping bis mouth in a drinking saloon.
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