The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-07-26

attention to the building. Poor Ida
in the innocence of her heart she wa:
beginning to think that the boarding
school graduate had taken a fancy II
| her, and was desirous of an acquaint
ance.
In order to interest lawyer Gilbert
Miss Smith already exhausted all posi-
tive means of attack, She has sent tc
his room for volume of Byrou-she
doated on his poetry, it was so soft, and
would be obliged if Mr.. Gilbert would
favor her by the loan of Childe Harold
or Manfred, or his comedies.
Mr.. Gilbert returned answer that his
copy of Byron was sent to Miss Warner,
over the way.
Miss Smiths compliments again
"Would Mr. Gilbert oblige her byPlsy-
ing that lovely air once more, Miss
Smith vas so delighted with it,
Mr.. Gilbert unscrewed his flute, laid
it on the table, and then returned his
most respectful compliments to Miss
Smith, but the physician had forbidden
him to practice more than fifteen min
utes at time, under any circumstances.
The milliner could hit upon no other
device, so she gave an additional
hounce to her dress, let down ringlet
of more subduing length from her hair,
moved her workable directly opposite
the door, and had resolved on siege,
the success of which must depend on
her own personal attractions, when
Ida became an apprentice, and was
banished to the window
During the four days that followed
the punishment intended for Ida. Miss
Smith was in fine spirits. Mr.. Gilbert
not only looked at her more than twenty
times day, but on one instance he
paused in the entry passage, and took
a step towards the door, as if tempted to
enter. But he changed his mind, and
in few minutes Ida saw him cross
the highway, enter the white portico
opposite, and sit down by the young
lady who was lettering the morning in
its shade. The next day it rained, and
everything looked dul! and miserable.
The water-drops pattered ceaselessly
against the windows, and the old willow
stood on the green with its branches
dropping to the earth, like the plumage
of a great bird that could find no shelter.
The room was cold and cheerleSS. Miss
Smith sat by the table, disappointed and
cross. The moist air which swept in
from the entry took the stitfening from
her silks, and if she closed the door, all
hopes of seeing the lawyer were at an
end for the day, She would have sub
mitted to the faded lustre of her goods,
but when the damp had taken her ring
lets out of the curl and began TO chill
her neck, she flung a shawl over her
tore up a bonnet pattern to
roll her hair in, and putting on the worst
Of tempers with her altered looks. or
dered the doors closed, and determined
to make a miserable day of it.
A knock at the door.
"Come in,n said Miss Smith. "Lida,
go get the black Grape bounet you al
tered yesterday; the boy has come for
it, | suppose"
Ida had scarcely time to lay down
her work, when the door open and Mr..
Gilbert walked quietly into the room.
Miss Smith blushed crimson. dropped
ler shawl and seemed tempted TO com
nence depredations on the curl papers
iorthwith. Ida took up her work a gain,
Ind Mr.. Gilbert sat down amid a torrent
If compliments from Miss Smith, and
began to turn over volume OF Byron,
which he had brought with him.
He had done himself the pleasure of
bringing the book which Miss Smith |
lesired.
Miss Smith was delighted-wonld |
Mr. Gilbert oblige her by reading a
ew pages, if he was not too much en-
had been informed that he
cad beautifully.
Mr.. Gilbert would be too happy, but
he light was so dim that he must sit by
he window. So moving his chair with
he self-pessession of a man accustomed
0 have his own way, he sat down within
few PAGES of Ida. She did not look
Ip, but the most delicate of all bushes
'roke into her cheek, and the young
nan saw that her fingers were little
remulous, as she bent diligently over
Ter work. He seemed busy searching
Or a favorite poem, and Miss Smith
box advantage of the opportunity to let
own a quantity of black hair which
he mutiIated pattern had failed to
snder more than wavy, and giving her
ounces slight shake, she drew her
hair to the window, ordered Ida to
lace block for her feet, and folding
er hands with a graceful languor, com
osed herself to listen.
1t would be quite superauous to say
ow many times the sensitive Miss
NTH lifted her hands and exclaimed,
Beautiful Exquisite Oh how
weetw while the reading of Childe
Iarold went on; or to give any descrip-
on of the color which glowed and
in the cheek of our Ida, and
le pleasure which filled those soft eyes ;
II they sparkled like gems beneath
l.. L. "a |