The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-02-10
TON GU E. TIED.
BY MAUD MEREDI TH.

"Did any Of you ever see such a man Z
If the speaker had been more woman
and less Christian, she would have said
"Did you ever see such fool?" for wha
woman ever listened patiently to the ex
travagant praise of rival. And what
man ever allowed the suspicion of being ri
vailed to enter the mind of his wife who
will not merit the title of fool? ,.nr
$50 we will call there as we come home,
he continued, with the coaxing eagerness
Of boy. :.
"Oh. if You insist, I don t care,' returned
Helena Cotton, as though she were toe
languid to resist, "you are very generous to
offer to take me with you, she added, with
smile, VIII ch she epdeavored to make
playful. ,.tsaa 81 cdr .siaas y.
u Helena" Robert Cotton exclaimed
chow often must I entreat you to cease
such childish exhibitions Of double quintes'
'sence ofridiculousness as Institutions con.
cerningmy appreciation Of and admiration
for a beautiful queen Of society like Lucre-
tia Lennox. Such woman as Que only
meets in q lifetime once." a vatyaa -
Helena made no reply, but went qaietly
onwith her breakfast; but the expression
upon her delicate features was rot happy
one, nor did it become 60 as she sat 10 the
snug little parlor of Judge Lennox, and
looked and listened while her husband
talked With bis brilliant and fascinating
daughter. 5ae'''R 35a.fe.7 +. i.
I am neither q professional thief nor q
confirmed liar; but 1 can call to mind tho
occasion when came across any article
oflvalue belonging to another lying care
lessly around; that instantly began re-
volving inImy own mind the possibilities
of my escaping detection, supposing
should take possession fit. sas:I E9e
And l alsonfail to recollect the time
when, conceiving that personal advantage
would be derived therefrom, was not
tempted to prevaricate the truth. aot
e So, you see, the gem Of the plant lies
dormant in the garden Of my mind, which
cultivated in another, produces the accom-
plished pickpocket and the braggadocio. 4
90 SOL think, it was with Lucretia Len
nox. She was woman of such comman-
ding beauty, such large rich sympathies,
that she insensibly attracted. / think few
men came within range Of her influence
that she did not speculate on the possibili-
ty ofbringing them to her feet, though she
sometimes struggled with the temptation
as utterly unworthy of her better nature.
Vainly, upon the present occasion, did
she endeavor to draw Helena Cotton into
the conversation and set her at her ease.
Somehow, the atmosphere of the room
felt damp and depressing to her. How
little and insignificant, how pale and sick
ly she must look compared with this bloom
ing creature; and her mind refused to ex-
ert itself to throw off this gloomy feeling.
Her husband was angry at her want OF
interest and animation, which, in his secret
soul, he attributed to jealousy, and was
piqued the more. He talked in his most
elegant style to I.ucretia Lennox.
He complimented her beauty and grace;
he assured her that, she looked more charm
ing than she did ut sixteen; time had no
effect on her charms, no moSe than it had
upon his spirits; he felt as young, he en-
joyed the society Of youth as much now as
at any period Of his life. o ga
He intended having q little social gath
ering at his house, the next week, on
which occasion he wished to introduce her
to his favorite nephew, Ralph Warner. He
asked for the introduction also, if she was
He had taken the liberty to in
form Ralph that she was not. - g
5"But also informed him that he need
not indulge the hope Of being able to please
you, your heart was impregnable. 'i5n7e' q
pray, Mr.. Cotton, why do you. give me
that character among the young men : l
fear you will ipjure my prospects materi-
ally. "'o9'} s'sYesst ~ 5ss''s i'as 5ss'to'a p
On the evening Of the social gathering
at the house Of Robert Cotton, the rain
came down in torrents, and Lucretia Len
nox was not sorry, for she had been una
BILE to Danish from her mind the sad re-
proachfnl look in the glance Helena Col
ton had given her at parting. af
She was half frightened at herself for
thinking how unkind it, was of fate to
bring before her, for the first time in her
life the man who, in every particular,
came up to her standard, and to have al.
ready given him partner; and she was SO
very unsuited to him in every way.
"Well," with a truly feminine sigh, "if
never find a man suited to my tastes, l
ian live alone, and llup the interim be
.ween now and dreary5 old-maidism with
he spiciest flirtations / can get into, mar
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