The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1857-08-15

xith2 ii effort, Gertrude Alevyune o.
But why, Walter / asked Faith, cliuging
Ito him as he was turning away Have you
ever met before 2
He looked at her with o strange smile, as he
ErepIied, Yes, Fifth, we met once too often
You know Gertrude, and yet never spoke
to me Of her, when you know how much l
wished YOU to love each otherS Faith re-
proachfuly. Oh, Walter, I alwa, 'ught !
had your confidence! .8ssa
And so you have, Faith SO you have, ex-
cept in this one thing he said kindly, softened
by her evident distress. And when she has
left you, will come back and tell all, I
Not before, Faith he replied. Let me
go now
f ooh, Walter, I would almost give my life if
l could only see you two happy together
sFaith, Faith, how little you know Of what
you talk. That Woman has embittered my
life she has destroyed my confidence in every
human bring she has deceived and betrayed
ind disgraced me. And yet, / know if l look
but once upon her face l should forgive her all;
for ] love her, Faith. / loved her more than
my life. Sister, | must not see her. When
she has left yoH, / will come back again---tiIl
then farewell Z .5i81a .. al
He kissed her fondly, shook hands with her
hnsbandsf lpatted the golden heads Of the chill
dren, and was gone. The young husband and
wife looked after him wistfnily A cloud seemed
to have icovered&the bright spring sky, and the
little parlor Of the cottage seemed lonely and
deserted when they again entered it, because
the mystery which might be guilt, that was
even then sheltered within its peaceful walls,
Walter Roscoe, turning away from his
sisters home, thought sadly of the many days
14sthat must eiapse before he entered it again.
TOT Gertrude he told himself again and agaig he
would not think I; and again and again her
image came up before him as he had seen her
last.
Have I not wronged Aer?' be thought, as
he paced the floor Of his Office that evening.
1T is not spossible she may be innocent,
even though appearances were against her =?
Shall l see. once more? Pshaw.! what n fool /
am Did | not see her there beside him 2
Did ! not see his lips meethers If l asked
for better proof than my own eyes have given
me, j must be a mailman. / will leave this
place and never return till she has gone away
He threw a few things into a yaiise, locked
up the writing desk beside him, and stepping
out into the street, valise in hand, locked UP
his Office and ~walkedaway, His residence was
Il long distance from the garden of his sisters,
house and yet it was there he found himself
after q hurried walk of some five mi tses.
He lifted the latch of the little gate and enter
ed. lasE 81 gs .G r.
"Itis thel last time, Gertrude, that I shall be
so weak he murmured, as he looked at the
yine-covered window, where a light was burn
ing "the last time L shall be so near you
Oh Gertrude, can you dream what you have
done or is.your heart all marble r. Nm
lie buried his face in his hands and wept
like a child .M p
The memory of the happy hours k@had
spentlwlth her cam eoverhim too strongly to be
borne. He could only meet such remember
ance with q flood of tears.
When he looked up again he was conscious
Of an unusual hustle in the house. Lights
were moving hurriedly in several directions,
and once or twice he caught a glimpse of his
sisters figure passing by the window Of Ger
trude's room. What could it be? Was Ger.
trude ill
His heart stood still at the thought. He
could never bear to look upon Ler face again |;
but oh the grave must not cover it from him.
He sprang up the path, and was about to en-
ter when the door opened, and Alfred Egerton
come out.
You here, Walter y lie exclaimed, starting
back as the pale face of his brother met his
eye Faith Just told me to go for you when
L had summoned the DOCTOR
III doctor ? said Walter, turning pale, as
be found his worst suspicious realized. .Who
wants the doctor 2"
Miss Ailewynne is very ILL., replied Alfred.
She is threatened with q brain fever, | think
On, merc'ial heavens! The unhappy man
staggered, and caught at his brothers. arm to
steady himself.
Alfred looked at him for q moment. and
then said soothingly, Walter it will not do
for me to stay hear u moment. But go in and
see Faith she will comfort you. He wrung
his hands smyathizingly and hurried away.
Hai blind with his unshed tears, the uphap-
py man entered the house, and seeing his sister
sitting at her writing desk, in the parlor, sank
down at her feet and hid his face i'll her Ian.
Win she die. Faith ? no asked
I hope not, my poor Walter. But she is
very ILL., answered Faith, laying her hand upon
his head. Our own doctor is with her now.
aud Alfred has gone for another.
bat are you doing p he asked looking I'M
at the haif-tinished note before her. writing
to her brother to come to her, replied FAITH,
did not know she had one, Faith,
Oh yes, have never seen him, but she
sent me his portrait once. You know She
added, with a faint blush, it was quite a dream
with us when we were girls-th is-she wish
ed NE to marry her brother, and l wanted her
to marry mine
= know-I khow,' said walter, and an ind,-
Unable expression fitted ofer his face.
And 50 she me Edwards Portrait contin-
acd Faith, Would you Ike to see it, Wal
Yes, he replied. quickly.
she op9ne3 ner writing desk, and taking out