The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-07-27

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her own doubts and hesitations, be-
yond certain uneasy consciousness
that the eyes of Callerton Were upon
her, and might look upon this as a con- !
frmation of the reported engagement
between herself and Sir Felix. At any
rate, whatever cause they sprang from,
they We're finally over-ruled. The
whole thing was after Mrs. Lyle's own
heart, and chance that did not often
fall in her way. Already she saw her
self in the full glory of damask, chint-
yes, silks and rich carpets. 1t was not
to be thought of that any crochet OF her
daughters should come between her
and these rare delights. And then how
Felix, if left alone, would be cheated
and imposed upon! 1t was positively
inhuman to allow such thing. Esther
listened very patiently, not without a
little wonder why she herself should be
utterly mmoved at prospect which
seemed so brilliant to her mother
But then Mrs. Lyle said that Esther
was altered; that her spirits were not
what they used to be.
at seems rather hard, my DEAR" re-
monstrated the widow "and confess
don't quite understand it. All through
). the years of suspense, when, of course,
people would have made allowance,
your spirits were wonderful; and now
that it is all over, and the engagement
l-1
'Mother," interrupted Esther, "there
has been nothing said about an engage
ment. Felix is too busy. He takes it
for granted that l am the same as
used to be; but l begin to doubt it
At any rate, am sure he is not"
''Not what, my dear?" said the
mother. "You don't mean to tell me
that, after waiting. all this time, and
refusing offers better than you had any
right to expect, for your cousins sake
YOU find now he has came back that ht
is not exactly what you want, after all
- Upon my word, Esther, I'm afraid i
sounds rather childish"
Mrs. Lyle had little the best of it
and perhaps Esther, thought so, for sh
said, very quietly. "You would no
have me make the first advances
l" mother? If Felix has this plan still i
III his head-and it is but fair to him t
u saw that I believe he has-he is con
VI tent to put it away altogether unit
after the election. think he is wist
IN and 1 am glad. cannot even tell hoy
~ | feel towards HIN; but l am not hap
La- DIV, and must have time. Let us 6
= and chose these things, if it please
you; only, for PHYS sake, don't talk
ho if all that were settled; for it ma
i'ii never be"
es' Mrs. Lyle forebore to reply. E'
NIX Their was strange, certainly; but 50
IL girls were on such occasions; and L
DO. doubt it would come right in the EN-
pe Meantime she was going to have III
I'LL davis excitement and qualification
ear Calerton Court, and it was of no us
en- as she considered, to meet troubles hs
way. Sir Felix received them WI
LIS. radiant gratitude, and led Esther up
where Fluleton was unfolding his bal
Sc, of pale blue drapery for the large dra'
all o 8
mel eer1 ;, al +,,a 1,,ronet aside. {
JUS made me think of you somehow, IL
efs, pale, delicate, infexible tint. 1t sn
Wy you too"
3 a He was in high good humor, and
o'i- could not understand the sud-
''', tightening of her lips and the bend'
opie of the straight eyebrows.
''ii, 'You were not used to think So"
anu Piled Esther; III must have chang
5o' very materially in your eyes.
' = doesn't suit me, Felix" she add
:. III sharply, looking at him, "nor
'isi'- either. It is too cold for that d
face of yours. It makes me shiver.
MIS- .'Why, you wouldn't have me t
Orangeman!" said Sir Felix; but
auh' laughed uneasily, and his hand W
re- ND to his cheek with that movem
ness which she was beginning to know
~ 10 She had once asked him how he got
'o'e' ugly little scar but he waived
e al question, and told her it was
MS story. "Come," said he, "here is p
"i''- ty of choice. Your will is my law;
mus' since IN blue won't do
;f;t 81 never said it wouldn't do, co
,aaa Felix she replied. 81 only SAT-
!, ~ wasn't the color you used to t
- ~ suited me. You have forgotten,
-. s4,or pose, as you did about the poor
wicket
,oas . ssYou make too much OF things,
about Gan Sir Felix, irritated and thel
rninr added, more gently, Forgive me
YOU are cold and strange, Esther.
p Int fess that you puzzle me; and l al
:, bor n patient man. And you are not
ON b;s ing me either though there is so
to do, and so little time to do 1t