The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-01-29

have seemed"
And then Eccleston found his tongue
"You have seemed nothing but what is
most delicate and kind" he interrupted
The flush died away, and almost pal
lor succeeded as in few brief words he
gave his acceptance and thanks The
words were 80 simple they might have
sounded cold but for the warmth Of his
eyes, the intensity Of his tone; and the
clasp of his hand, as he said Goodnight, "
had in it SO much meaning that Clarke
Steyner in moment recognized great
deal-not all-of the sad, sore struggle Of
these years Of deprivation.
e.gI.sd. az ~, ~. s,r
The little table was set in the little
room, a fire burned in the grate. and the
one picture-the lovely yiolante- smiled
down from the wall in the evening light
as Eccleston. entered. Alice, sitting in
abstraction over book, glanced up with
q quick smile. but the smile chased q
shadow, ojlh 5.4 a. aanarliuli ~
"How bright you look, John! Have
you been to see Mr.. SteynerY' ahe
asked. .Fa-,l,i,f
eyes, I have been to see Mr.. Steyner
Alice" .ihp.. .l.t t.ala
/, There was something in his voice which
Alice could not understand; something in
his eyes too-s soft sparkle abe could
understand as little. She WIS glad for
him to have such pleasure with Mr.. Stey-
ner; but there came to her, as there will
to the most generous sometimes, q little
pang of loneliness at the contrast of this
pleasure. She had been so specially lone
ly on this night before Thanksgiving
The tears were in her eyes q moment ago
at the thought of other days. and the OBJ
scure uncertainty Of the present She had
asked for sympathy and consolation; 70,
somebody to comprehend her mood, to
say some tenderer word than usual, to
look some sweeter look. But she was
very glad that John had had his pleasure
and yet-and yet there lurked that slender
thread of pain. He sat down at table,
keeping still that soft sparkle of enjoy
ment, quite oblivious of the extra pains
Alice bad taken-of the perfumed choco-
late that steamed fragrant in the cups, ol
the pretty attire that set finer loveliness
How strange it wasl Had he forget thii
night. the eve of her birthday? She tried
to meet his mood as usual She tried to
put out of sight all her 'cross and pas
sion" and be as bright as he; but as she
met his eyes, and saw only the gleam d
airy mirthfuhess, and listened to his al
most exaggerated jesting, shiver ran
over her. ~ q. g..lr, = .r'-
"What is II, Ally ?" he asked Has thii
dreadful little house, with it's thousand.
and-one cracks and crannies, given you
the aguer ' -.-'' 90 ,.''
It was not SO much the words as the
light, jocose tone that Jared with tht
words; and together it proved the dror
too much. She tried to answer him, but
instead burst into food Of tears.
"AIly, Ally, what have I doner'
He started from his seat and going to
her side, bent over her with such fond
concern that in her uncontrolled state she
sobbed out some words that could moi
fail to enlighten him Of her feeling.
II have been q great blunderer, Alice
but I meant it all for the best"
And then he took her in his arms, and
hiding her fearful eyes against his breast
he told her the good news that had
brought such unusual gladness to his face
and such buoyancy to his manner on thii
night '-' % ''-''''''i> - -
"And we win go back again to al the
dear old scenes, John; and yon win have
your right place among men agnin, which
is best Of any thing. Oh. John, what 9
Thanksgiving this Win be to Us after all |!
|
And the tears flowed afresh, but they
were no longer tears Of bitterness And
presently. when they had looked ct thii