The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-03-02


save her from breaking down into abso-
Lutte despair. She tidied up the kitchen,
swept and busted every room in the
house, and then she fell to sewing, sing
ing all the while as blithe as bird. Never
did the Naplewood hills listen to sweeter
melody. Of course, it was little dull
to spend her Christmas all alone, and be
cheated out of her visit; but she did not
care straw about John-not she.
But when the day began to wane, and
the bright, Christmas sun hung low
above the gloomy pine-ridge; when the
shadows gathered in the old sittinsrroom,
and the crickets began to chirp beneath
the hearth, poor little Lizzie grew ter
ribly lonely. Her work WAS all done; she
had put up the chickens and fed her
pigeons; and now she could do nothing
but sit before the great log-fre and think.
For few moments she struggled against
these thoughts, but they would come,
She could. see the great hall at Sleepy
Hollow, the roaring fires, and the long
Christmas-table, with, its brown turkeys
and huge plum-puddings; and all her
young cousins, SO gay and happy. Would
they miss her? Would any one call her
name? Of course not. John had Susie
Hastings to care for. He had forgotten
the days when he used to call her ''dar-
ling" ...
The retrospect was too trying, the
brave little heart gave way, and sliding
down to the floor, she buried her face in
the cushions of the old arm chair, and let
the tears, that had been making her poor
little head ache and throb all day, flow
like April rain. The yellow, Christmas
sun dropped lower and lower; the little
brown birds went twittering home to the
hedges; it would soon be highland then
what Jolly time at Sleepy Hollow! How
gayly Susie would dance, in her hand
some blue silk, costlier and pretier by far
than her poor little red merino lying up
in the great oak chest. .u..
There came a merry burst of sleigh
bells on the frosty air--but Lizzie did
not harken. Soon after q step upon the
porch-Dick,s of course; he was bringing
in the morning wood; but presently e
strong arm raised the dropping little
figure, and, sobbing and startled, Lizzie
locked up into q smiling, bearded face,
and felt herself clasped irresistably to
somebody's bosom.
"Oh! Cousin john Ft. Fl.
"My darling. My little pet-bird cry
ing and sobbing this way all by yourself
Did you think had forgotten you? Did
you think 1 could ever love any one but
yourself, Lizzie?"
But you didn't" she began.
"No butts in the question, F" he con-
tiuued mot Il word until you hear me-
did not write to you because 1 wished
to leave you entirely free, to nee if you
would stand the test Of absence, and moi
forget me. / wrote Susie Hasting be-
cause, her father being old and intirm
she attends to his business matters
was there yesterday morning, TO close q
bargain with him for the suggest, loyelies'
little nest of cottage in the whole State
1 should have been at MaplewOod to-day
but had pressing matters to look after
And now, you precious, InistrustinS
Jealous little darling, if had time, II
kiss every brown curl on your head
There not a word, you are mine
wouldn't hear, No. if you were to say it
SO hurry, now, they are waiting for US q
Sleepy Hollow. Run, and dress as fas
as you Can, but nicely, too, dear-for yo'
are to be bride tonight p, .dt q. d.
Lizzie turned back i'll wide-eyed won
der. .G
Yes, a bride, darling your fathe
and mother are willing, and mine ar
anxious, and the parson is in readiness
you will not object? -IJ,4l rn.
Her cheeks bloomed like blush-roses
E but She ran up to her room, and divin
into the great chest, brought out the re-
a merino. with its sparkling bugles. an
e dainty laces, and the pearl comb tha
/, was to hold back the tresses from. he
fair, sweet face. She was not fashion
able woman, and John did not have