Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1885 — MY CHARMER. [ARTICLE]

MY CHARMER.

BY M. A. B.

I felt vexed that my mother did not enter into my raptures concerning Lulu. “She’s the sweetest girl in the world!” I cried, enthusiastically. “So natural, so innocent, so free from anything like deceit. I don’t think any other man in all this world will have so lovely a wife as I will have.” My mother only smiled and answered nothing. “She is so beautiful, and she Ims such a winning way with her that it attracts every one. Then she loves me so devotedly that she never gives a thought to any other man.” Still my maternal relative spoke not. “Now, mother,” cried I, losing patience, “why don’t you tell me what you think of Lulu? Surely you can’t think there is any other girl who would be more suitable for me.” “Well,” said my mother, slowly, “since you want my candid opinion, I can only say that I do not like your sweetheart. But then old women and young men can hardly be expected to look at a girl with the same eyes.” “But what objection have you to Lulu for a daughter?” I persisted. “Isn’t she beautiful, graceful, intelligent and refined ? Is it because she is poor that you object to her?” “No, Frederic, not on account of her lack of fortune. JL believe her to be a heartless, mercenary girl, who is not so devoted to you as you suppose.” “That is very unkind of you, mother. You don’t know her as well as I do.” “I suspect I know her a great deal better. But if you have made up your mind, my son, I suppose it is of no use to argue the mattex .with you. I would have greatly preferred Inez Ratlimore for a daughter, but of course it is useless to speak of that now. Yet I used to think that you really liked her.” “That was before I met Lulu,” said I, with significance. My mother sighed and looked out of the window. “They say love is blind, and I think at is truly so in your case. Inez is a ; .loyal, true-hearted girl as well as a beauty and an heiress, while I believe I JLulu to be a mere fortune-hunter.” I - “Mother,” 1 cried, hotly, “if you and ? I are to remain friends you must not ! speak in that way of my future wife.” . “You asked my opinion and I gave it. Now let us drop the subject.” In no very good humor I took my hat and stalked out of the room. Leaving the hotel, I bent my footsteps to a grove near by, which was a favcjrite resort in warm weather. “No doubt Lulu is in her room, reading or sleeping,”.! thought. “It is really too warm to do anything else these sultry afternoons.” Finding a pleasant spot beside a huge fallen tree, I lay down and fell to musing. “Mother is the best woman in the world, but she can not appreciate my beautiful Lulu. The idea of for a moment comparing her with Inez Rathmore? Of course, Inez is well enough, but she is not an angel like my Lulu.” I commenced to feel drowsy, and at length fell asleep. Voices on the other •side of the fallen tree aroused me from <ny uneasy slumber. Reluctance to wlaying the eavesdropper was overcome by a desire to hear the conversation, far J recognized one of the voices; so I Imperfectly still and listened. *la», it is very tiresome,” Lulu was in her sweet, gentle tones, “to a man Ido not love. But, Cyril • ptkttat. I have always been acOlNttrfHMidl to luxury in my uncle’s home, expects me to make a good jjijML for he will give me nothing wbon 1 marry. But, love, do not look «o«d. You will find some other girl 1 my teeth in rage. Who was thia ***** she. called “love” and y*' Whon he spoke, my an y ***** for I knew the voice to be I of Cyril Melstone, a young man l>een Lulu’s lover before 1 “You do not care for me as I care for awt Lulu * he said, “or you could not CrriL it » wh are talk.tjrthiy. I love you witi’ ull niy

heart, but I have more prudence than ' yon. Were we to marry, what would we I live on ? You have nothing but ‘ your profession, and I am dependent upon my uncle. No, no; much as I love you, I will have to marry Frederic Carlyle.” On the other side of the tree, I solemnly registered an oath that no such marriage should ever take place. “I will, work hard and make a fortune for us, if you will only wait,” pleaded her companion. “It would be years before you could gain wealth by your profession, and ‘love in a cottage’ does not suit me. I prefer life in a palace, even though I must have Frederic Carlyle for an incumbrance,” “My darling, my-darling!” I heard Cyril cry; “how can I endure to see you another man’s bride?" Then I heard the sound of passionate kisses, and soon afterward they left their seat and walked off tow Ard the hotel. As their retreating footsteps sounded in my ear. I groaned in agony of spirit So this was my true, innocent darling, for whose sake I had almost quarreled with my mother! “She cares for nothing but my money,” thought I, “and that she shall never have. Thank fortune, I have found her out before it is too late.” That night, when the dance in the hotel parlor was well under way, I entered the room with my mother on my arm. The dear old lady had been told nothing of my painful discovery; she only knew that I was irritable and moody. On looking around the room, the first person I saw was Lulu. She was arrayed in spotless white, with white flowers at her throat and in her golden hair. I gazed at her earnestly, but not with admiring eyes. I knew her false heart too well to be blinded by her dazzling beauty. Her face flushed when she caught my look of scrutiny, and she smiled sweetly at me. I crossed the room and came to her side. “Where have you been all day?” she asked in her low, musical voice. (Alas! I remembered when I had heard that voice last.) “I have not seen you since breakfast.” Now was my time for a signal revenge. I looked down at the tiny figure by my side. Her golden hair and liquid blue eyes, the exquisite coloring of cheek and lips, made her a picture fair to see. “I will tell you where I was this afternoon, Miss Lulu,” answered I, watching the white hand upon which glittered the magnificent solitaire diamond I had given her. “I was in the grove enjoying a conversation which I happened to overhear. I had fallen asleep, I>ut was aroused by voices near me, and so became an unintentional listener to a < onversation between Mr. Helstone and yourself. Permit me to observe that I have very strong objections to being married for my money; so, if you will be so kind as to return my ring, we will consider our engagement at an end. ” She grew white to the very lips, but took off the ring withdut a word, and placed it in my hand. With a bow which I flatter myself was both haughty and graceful, I left her. Six months later I married Inez Rathmore.