The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-06
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER g. 1871

dow. CailSta sat down for q few mo,
ments, then graciously bidding them
good night, she retired from the room
leaving tile lovers alone.
''Once I thought it was Calista you
loved" said Alice, timidly, when they
were alone.
81 was dazzled, at first, by her beau
ty," he replied, ."but my infatuation
soon passed away when 1 came to
know you; and now one ringIet OF
your golden hair has greater charm
for me than allof Calista's surprising
beauty. She is very kind to you
though, Alice; and 1 love her as a
friend"
"Calista has changed much of late,'
said Alice; "she once was so cold and
unapproachable, almost feared her ;
now she is so gentle and kind to me,
that love her dearly"
While these two lovers sat convers-
ing so happily together, the subject of
their conversation was pacing her
room, with her hands clenched ard her
black eyes flashing with anger and evil
determination.
"They shall never be united" she
said, in hoarse whisper. "Neyer!
never! l will stab her to the heart
first. Herman Holliston shall marry
me yet. If that little dough- faced
Alice had not crossed my path, he
would be mine now. I was fool to
come here, but little thought Herman
Holliston was a man to turn from my
dazzling beauty to that baby faced
Alice. She shall never be his wife.
swear it!''
Until nearly morning she paced her
room, forming plans to prevent the
marriage of the man she loved and her
pretty cousin Alice. She had met
Herman Holliston the past winter, in
London, and he had shown her marked
attention. But when the warm days
of June came, she left town to spend
the summer months with her cousin
Alice, who was an orphan, and lived
with maiden aunt in beautiful
country house.
Herman Holliston followed her, talk
ing up his abode at the hotel in the
nearest town, and calling often at the
house. He became acquainted with
Alice, whom to know was to love-
Calista soon lost all charms for him
and it was not long before he asked, the
golden haired country maiden to be his
wife. We have already told the re-
snlt, and the effect which the betrothal
had upon Calista Langdon.
A week after the engagement ring
had been placed upon Alice's finger,
she was sitting in the library, reading,
one lovely afternoon, when Calista en-
tered and bending over her she kiss
ed her on both cheeks, and said,
"Come, Alice, let us have ride on
horse back. / want to go up to Croft
ton Woods. 1t will be magnificent
there to-day. Shall order the
horses 2"
eyes, do, Calista," said Alice. 81
am glad you proposed it; it is SO dull,
now Herman is gone"
"Foolish girl" said Calista, playful
ly; she has only been gone one day,
and you expect him back tomorrow.
But girls will be foolish. So be ready
as soon as possible, Alice, and we
will canter off to Crofton Woods"
She went gaily from the room, and
Alice laid by her book, and went to
prepare for the ride. She had no pre-
sentiment of evil. Innocent herself,
she suspected wrong in no one, es-
pecially her cousin, who, of late, was
so kind to her. When they were about
to mount the horses, Calista said,
gailly, "Let us change to-day, Alice.
l want you to try Elyway, and want
to ride Gip.'
'Do you think I could manage Flya-
way?" said Alice, q little anxiously.
ooh, yes, easily enough; he is a
little fiery, to be sure, but shall be
near you. I have never ridden Clip,
you know, and want to sec how she
will like me-"
Alice's aunt, Miss Gray, in the door.
"You will keep near Alice, Calista 2"
she said, "and see that Flyaway is
kept quiet ~
tIndeed I WILL" answered CaIista."
"Don't you fear for her, Miss Gray"
They mounted the horses and pro-
eeeded toward Crofton Woods. When
they arrived at the forest they rode
along leisnrely, looking about them,
and remarking on the beauty of the
day and scenery. They soon came to
q by-path, that struck off into the
woods; and Calista drew rein and said,
"This path is the one I.took the other
day, when came here alone. Let us
go through it, and I will show you
one of the most magnificent scenes
You ever saw"
They turned their horses into this
path, and cantered off into the heart
of the forest. They had ridden nearly