The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-03-16
NUMBER 81.
When the door opened, AUD Colonel

fNeed l say was annoyed Wa
it not natural? Had not been count
ing the hours, and planning how
should behave-how meet him in m,
own home-how present him to N.
mother-and how we.sAould talk ove
our pleasant days Mt Niliars Castle
But the presence of Edith Gresham
frustrated all my little schemes. She
even provokinsly moved her scat, 81
that she came and sat close to me
whilst Colonel Gerard was on the
other side of the room, talking to my
mother. Wen, he stayed, and stayed,
and thought, perhaps, that the young
lady visitor would, no doubt, in COM
mon etiquette, depart before him,
since she had been the first arrival.
But no; Edith Gresham sat on, and
COLONEL Gerard went away first.
felt in fever, and ] fear my pettish
manner told my friend.
$50! exclaimed my friend, as nv
mother left us together. you have
actually made Colonel Gerard's ac-
qnaintance, and spent a whole fort.
night in his company, and never told
mev hi,
"Wlat was there to tell T. I asked.
every few girls would treat such nm
honor so cavalierly,' she replied; and
again l felt annoyed, even atsan ac-
cusation which my heart totallysde-
MED however silent my lips might be.
"The next day Colonel Gerard was
with us again: he brought us u port
folio of his sketches in Spain,- and he
and were hardly seated at the large
round table in the drawing room, pre-
pairing to enjoy them together, when
Edith Gresham entered.
"NIay carry off Hester to the opera
tonight ? said she to my mother; and
admired and inwardly aoplauded the
calm and pleasant way in which the
ready answer was given.
''Not to night, thank you, Edith.
have managed to exist without her q
fortnight, and cannot resign myself to
lose her again SO soon.
"Then shall give it up myself
said my friend; for do not care for
going without her.
"She sat down; she examined, with
me, those sketches, and the first dinner
bell sounded while Colonel Gerard was
still deep in his explanations. 80
'If yon will take us as we are said
my mother, I'VE shall be delighted if
you will stay and dine with ut, and
then we can see the rest of the sketches
later in the evening"
"He was introduced tIlat evening to
my father. The man who was looked
upon as lion in the great world, made
himself as happy in our domestic cir
Gle as he had done at the brilliant ia
bic of my sister, Lady Villars.
"Is lie not deligh tful,' said I, I'M
guardedly, to Edith Gresham, as we
went upstairs together; did you ever
meet any ono SO entertainingP
"Instead of giving me direct an
swer, my friend exclaimed, evasively,
DO you mean to say you never met, or
heard of, Colonel Gerard before p
No. said, astonished, did you p
s"I have heard much more about
him than care to remember'-(she
laughed satirically.) sWhy, Hester, he
is a regular lady-killer! one of the most
notorious f1irts In the world!'
"I do not think it, said I,,sharply.
"'No; nor do any other of his admit
rers till they find it out said Edith
Il could have told you all about him
ages agop
Gland what could you have told,
Edith p | asked, still in an annoyed
voice. err 54a
"sMuch, which am glad now I new
er did tell, she retorted, since see it
would not have been welcome inform-
alton. But remember, Hester. if you
ever do hear anything about him, Ell
Their to startle or enrage you-for you
are fiery when you like, Hester-then,
remember, have warned YOU,
IL had not yet so completely cast off
the thraldom of bosom friendship, but
that these hints and inuendoes made
me exceedingly uncomfortable. They
affected my manner towards him, in
spite of myself; and I went to my
room that night miserable, for had
seen he was both surprised and per-
picked at a certain constraint about
me, of which was sensible myself:
and yet afraid, in the presence of my
friend, to cast off.
"Days and days passed thus, and
sometimes | was happy, sometimes
wretched. Such, Helen, is the usual
course Of love affair. And every day
my friend was at my side, remonstra-
ting, though secretly In his company
she was polite, pleasing, simple and
unaffected. Hereenab.e temper some
times drove me half wild. siss.S's