The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-08-18
who was laughing behind her handlker

chief E5e t4see3a ap
Il am very much obliged to him for
ms good opinion; but please tell him
that had rather be excused l said
demurely. 1ad
"hfy daughter am surprised; and,
pray, what are your reasonsP You
ought to feel complimented. John
Akerson is as good boy as ever lived -
~ have no desire to marry a good
boy" said, a little petishly.
''And, beside,' went on my father,
''he is industrious, and has a good
home to carry you to-"
"And pumpkin face and hair like a
dipped candle, and can only talk about
his crops and stock" interposed.
"Well, really ~ cried Julia. 81
should think our beauty was used to
proposals every day, she disposes of
one so readily. With her attractions,
she expects to marry Senator, sup
pose" #t5
'.It doesn't matter to you what I ex-
pect," and answered holly. "This
happens to be an affair, for a wonder,
where our pet can't dictate. 1 detest
John Akerson, and never will marry
| him."
Yon see, was no angel. l might
just as well have answered pleasantly,
but, somehow, we girls never lose an
opportunity of being disagreeable to
one another.
"Well, WE'LL" father said soothingly,
1--WE don't mean to drive you to it,
Rachel. Only, l think you are very
foolish" ~.
And there the matter dropped be-
tween us. But the girls hectOred me
night and day. They were used to
having all the proposals, and they
were not willing to allow me even this
poor one. But there was something
harder still in store for them. s.
Our log house was large and commo-
dious, and in the summer, when all the
vines and sm-ubbery were green, a
prettier place was not to be found. We
had a great deal Of company from the
neighboring villages, and this summer
a whole party of young people came
down for a weeks holiday to our house.
My pretty sisters were the attractions
of course. And we always kept help
and with Inc to engineer affairs, my
sisters had little to do but TO entertain
their visitors. There were six of them
three ladies and three gcntlenlen. The
lion of the occasion was Carl Rowan.
He was about thirty handsome, pol
ished, travelled, and what we call rich :.
The girls all adored him, and pro-
nounced him perfectly splendid" He
talked and laughed and danced and
sang with them all and each thought
she was to be the favorite one did
not have much to do with their festivi-
ties, and so had time to make obser-
vations.
Carl Rowan was riddle to most
people, and determined to read him.
After several days of study, 1 came to
the conclusion that he was a man with
out heart There are such incapable
of loving, or feeling any strong attach
ment with no aim in life, no faith in
God or man, and thoroughly selfish
But he was very agreeable, and his
conversational powers We're great.
Time never Jagged when he was near.
He was with me frequently during
the week, and, though the hours I
spent in conversation with him passed
very quickly, yet, somehow, I never
felt as happy after them as before.
His views of life were not healthy
ones, and they left an unpleasant inn
preston upon the mind. The morn
ing before the party left us, he came
into the parlor was busting, and stood
by my side.
"Rachel," he said abruptly, III want
you to marry me.
| was perfectly thunderstruck, but /
turned and faced him.
81 am sorry" l said, t1for never
can" a
g "And why not, pray ?" half amused,
wholly surprised. 90
sBecause l don't love you, and be-
cause you don't love me, and because
we should be very unhappy together.
VIII that do 7" 2o itsAN
He looked at me in silence a mo-
ment. -
"Let us analyze your answer" he
said. "Why don't you love me?n
1Because l cannot even respect you.
You have no faith in God or man; you
are that most pitiable of all things, "a
man without purpose; you are thor
oughly selfish; your greatest aim In
life is to be amused. These are some
of the reasons why do not love you.n
Good ~ he cried, laughing; II like
that! Now, why do you think pro-
posed to you, plain and unattractive as
you are, if do not love YOUR
because you like to astonish peo-
pie. You are tired of being fattered
and coutted You are iucapahle of