The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-05-18

we went out on the Flying Arrow, just
after Captain Tileston came lome-let
me see, two-tl,ree years ago. Poor
Frank was just pouring out a glass,
when the boat lnrched, threw. itOyer
him. from head to foot. How We oil
laughed Don't you remember Why
mamma. you must not take them until
Ihave searched the pockets. A letter
as live! Miss Eta Stuart.'n
It was Etta's turn to look now. Ono
swift glance, as Lou held up the letter
to the light, and she had recognized
the handwriting: She snatched. it
from her Cousins hand, while the blood
surged up to her heart in one conyul-
sive throb.
"Oh! Eta, dear, that's too bad, !"
pleaded Lou. ~ found it; SO please
let ne see 1t. too.o
/ But Eta had>flown to. her own room,
not daring to wait the scrutiny of LOUIS
curious eyes.
| When Frank came up to tea, Eta
said, carlessly, "Where is Ralph Field
lin Paris stiIli I found a goodbye
note from him. in one of your pockets,
or Lou did, rather, written just before
he sailed"
"How like you Frank" said Lou,
s.neyer to think of it; and We all 80
vexed, because he didn't call" s3
"That's true enough, Louline," said
Frank, penitently. Then turning TO
Eta 81 don't know where he is, am
sure, He never wrote to me q word.
Not in Paris, probably, for he wrote
to Flint & Chatterton, when he had
been there only six months, asking 10
be relieved from his situation. They
urged him to retain if, hut he positively
refused, giving no reason, except that
he was weary of bnsiness-s unlike
him you know. They have heard no
thing from him since. It is the strang-
est thing 1 ever knew"
Eta Stewart was in Rome.
She had sailed from New York, with
the Wallaces, as governess for little
Carrie. and companion. for her mother.
| They spent some months in travel, but
Mrs. Wallace longed to be near her ar
list son, so they had, taken q pleasant
snite of rooms, for the summer, in the
old imperial city.
Evening was coming on, and the in
describable color of an italian sunset
still flooded all the air with an almost
tangible radiance. Eta lay on couch
with her hands clasped tightly over
her forehead as if topress the pain from
her throbbing temples. The door open
ed softly and little Carrie came in.
care you better, Miss Eta I"
"Mamn,a said she was afraid I should
tire you, bnt l wanted to tell yon SO
much about our ride. Oh, if You could
only have gone! First we drove to
!, brother Charley's studio, and he said
he wanted us to go with him to see .
beautiful madonna that one of his friends
had painted. Mamma said she should
; like it very mnch, so we went, and, on
the way, Charley told us about this
friend, what wonderful genius he had.
and such devotion to his art, but stir
he seemed SO lonely sometimes. By
and by we we're there, and Charley in
iroduced MS. Mr.. Field the gentleman's
name was-he was SO tall and hand
some. bnt with the saddest eyes I ever
! saw. Az soon as he uncovered the
picture, mamma and both exclaimed
, at once for, indeed Miss, Eta, it was
!, erfect likeness of you, only the ex-
preston was more lovely than any
| thing l can describe-as if an angel
was looking out of your face. Mr..
1 Field turned pale, and said to mamma,
: Pardon me, madam, did understand
that the picture reminds you of some
!, friend I" Then namma told him, and
u he asi, ed a great many questions about
I yOn,and listened SO eagerly. Mamma
/. asked him to call, and he thanked her
> and said, II think, Mrs. Wallace, i
shall find in Miss Stuart a very old
l triend' should not be surprised If ho
were to come this evening, though
!, mamma told him you were not quito
: we'll. Do you really think that you
r know him, Miss Ettaf" Then, without
t waiting for reply. she started up,
v saying, There, do believe that 1
!, hear his voice nOw-sha,l ! tell him
that you will see him, Miss Eta n
$ ayes, Carrie, if you please" Etta's
c voice tfembled, but Carrie did not stop
a to notice it. A moment more, and
Eta heard the little girls voice in the
passage. Miss Stuart is better, and
6 will see Mr.. Field will tell mamma
Y The door opened again, and Ralph
Field came in. With glad cry Eta
sprang forward. He took both her
" hands in his, and looked down into her
= fece. Neither spoke for moment, but
y her eyes answered the questions his
It had asked.
% "Miss Ettta r.
ii "Oh, Ralph! at last! at last! 2" Then
y viii, her thrilling eyes still raised,
( "Ralph, have looked for you across
II the continent. have sought yor
: everywhere Your letter was mislaid
. never saw it until six months ago."
"Apd Captain Tileston Ettafn
NJ married my cousin, Nellie Stuart
4 tLraa ,-e,,, .,r,o aftar lone 80,