The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-07-01

tsvined. with his existance. Life would. have
been very dull without her afFectionate gseet-
ings, her pleasant little songs, and the graceful
dances she had learned to perform 90 well.--
Sometimes, when he had passed peculiarly
happy evening ii this fashion, Madame La
basse would look mischievous. and say, ssBut
when do you think you shall send her to that
schools" True, she did not often repeat this
experiment; for whenever she did it, the light
went out OF his conntenahce, as il an extin-
quisher were placed upon his soul. 81 ought
to do to he said within himself; ssbut how
can live without her?n The French widow
was the only person aware how romantic aud
how serious was this long episode in, his life.
Some gentlemen, whom he frequently met in
business relations, knew that he had purchased
a Young slave, whom he had placed with a
French woman to be educated; but had he told
them the trne state of the case, they would
have smiled dincredulonsly. Occasionallv, they
uttered some joke about the fascination which
made him so Indifferent to cares and horses;
jests checked conversation on the subject, and
all, except Mr.. Grossman, disc ontinued such
attacks, after one or two experiments.
Az Mr.. Mobiles wealth increased, the wish
grew stronger to place Louisa in the midst of
as much elegance as had surrounded her lin
childhood. When the house at Pine Grove
was naoccupled, they often went out there,
and it was his delight to see her stand under
the Gothic arch Of trees, beautiful fabieda
ripant, framed in vines. II was place SO full
of heart-memories to her, that she always
fingered there as long as possible, and never
left it without sigh. In one place was tree
her father had planted. in another rose or a
jessamine her mother had trained. But dearest
Of all was a recess among the pine-trees. on
the side of a HILL There was rustic gar
den-chair, where her father had often sat with
her upon his knee, reading wonderful story
books, bought for her on his summer excur-
sions to New York or Boston. In ore Of her
visits with Alfred, she sat there and read aloud
from s'Lalfa Rookh.o II was a mild winter
day. The sunlight came meliowed through
the evergreens, soft carpet Of scarlet foliage
was thickly streYn beneath their feet, and the
air was redolent Of the balmy breath OF pines.
Fresh and happy in the glow OF her fifteen
summers, how conld she otherwise than enjoy
the poem? 1t was like sparkling wine in a
jeweiled goblet. Never before had she read
anything aloud in tones so musicatly modnlat-
al 81 f,n ~ foa1..,r ~ - 1;,tou.. Iyo,,,
worked the wine in him? A voice within said
g Remember yonr vow, Alfred this charming
Loo Loo is your adopted sister;' and he tried
70 listen to the warning. She did not notice
his trsmor. when he rose hastily and said,
"'rhe sun is nearly setting. 1t is time for my
sister to gn home.',
"Hone?" she repeated. with sigh. "This
is my home. wish could sta 3 here always.
feel as il the spirits of my Father and mother
were with ms here.'' Had she sighed for an
ivory palace inlaid with gold, he would have
wished to give it to her,--he was so much in
love!
A few months afterward, Pine Grove was
offered for. sale. He resolvedto purchase it,
her to her old home, on. her sixteenth BIRTH
day. Ma anne La basse, who g, eatly delighted
in managing mysteries, zealonsly aided in the
preparations. When the day arrived, Alfred
proposed long ride with Leo Loo, in honor
of the anniversary; and. during their absence
Madame, accompanied by two household SER
wants, established herself at Pine Grove. .
When Alfred returned from the drive, he pro-
posed to stop and look at tine dear old place,
to which his companion joyfally assented.--
But nothing could exceed her establishment a
finding Madame Labasse there, readr to pre-
side at . table spread with fruit and flowers.
Her feelings ovsrpowered her for d moment,
when Alfred said, 'sDear sister, you said yon
wished you could live here always; and this
shall heneeforth be your hcme''
sYou are too gooa!'' she exclaimed and va,
about to burst into tears But he arrested
their course BY saying. playfuily, /" Come, Loo
Loo, kiss my hand, and say, ssThank you, Sir.
for buying mes Say il just as you did SIX
years ago, you little witchi''
Her swimming eyes smiled like sunshine
throu<han Aprifshower, and shs went through
the panto,nime, which she had often before
perfosned 1t his bidding. Madams stepped
iHwith her iistie jest: 9 But, Sir, when do YOU
think you shall send her to that pension n,
Never mind,' he replied. abruptly; "Let
us be happy!' And he moved toward the Ia
BILE to distribute ,he fruit. ..,.4,s
II was an inspiring spring-day. and ended in
the slqvhest OF evenings. The cir was filed
with the sweet brestliof jessamines and orange
blossoms. Madame gtoichs the piano, and,
|ln.quick obedience to the circling sound, Al
fred and Loo Loo began to waltz. II was long
before youth and happiness grew weary OF the
revolving maze. Bat when at last she COM
p'afnsd Of dizziness, he playfuIly whirlel her
out upon the Piaszs, and placed her on lounge
under the Cherokee rose her mother had train
ed, which was now mass Of blossoms. He
seated himsslf in front ef hsr, and they rs-
mained silent for some niloutes, watching the
vine -shado'vs rlay in the moonlight.s As Loo
Loo teamed On me balastrade, the clustering
roses hung ovefhsr in festoons, and traiIsd on
her white muslin drapery. Alfred was struck
az Ne had been many times before, with the
unconscious grace Of her attitude. In imag-
ination. he recalled his first vision az her In