The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-22

ut his way of approaching her societ
t without her consent, hut still there wa
such an air of boyish frankness in hi
F., manner, and she smiled npon San
Wha'ey when lie tod her the WACO
box was already aflont, and the "Di
1nsun" was a deal Guietor than he wa
yesterday, for the Mississippi ha,
choked him mp with backwaters.
Miss Bates packed basket will
dainty food, which the bright ere,
stranger carried to the queer boat, an,
and put away therein, and then Ii,
helped Sam to pull across, rcmarkin:
rs he did so, that the Mississippi WA
a grand river--take it from lake Itasc;
to the gulf, one of the graniest river.
in the world, Will, its picturesque seen.
cry and mighty volumne of water, ever
hur'ying down as if eager to mite thu
cold, clear waterof the Northern lake
with the tepid gulf stream, in a perpet
uai marriage, 10 wllicl, the ocean would
roar hoarse approval. TO which
piece of sentiment Miss Bates yielded
appreciation by a merry laugh.
"Iou seem to think that opposite
traits of character are essential to a
perfect uniong' said Miss Burton.
"Crrtainly do. A man might ms
well try to love his own reflection in a
glass, as to try to love woman who
WAS the counterpart of himself; and
vice versa"
Then, according to you, woman
OF strong passionate nature, an ex-
acting, eslhetic woman, should seek
out weak. maudl!n, placid idiot. for
husband?'
He looked at her quickly and keen
", for there was ring of bitter IRONY
in her tone, entirely uncalled for by
any remark Of his, and lie lastened to
say
"You W llfully mistake me. No wo-
man could respect such a man. and
love must be founded an respect, or if
can not exist. No man can feel trr.
regard for q weak, frivnions woman.
ana IN either case. a union SO entered
into, is pcipetuated by sense of duty
only"
He moved the boat SO suddenly for
ward here, that it seemed to answe,
for an exclamation point, to Miss Bur
ton; and the amiable Miss Bates, mn.
der The dclusion that he was giving
them assurances of complete safety.
tapped him approvinsly with her par
asol, and assured him that she was no,
at all afraid.
sam Whaley carried the basket TO
spot where Il shelf of rock formed, an
inclined plane from the cliff to the
sward under the thick trees; and upou
this rock Miss Bates took herseat, mild |
ly observant of the fact that the spring
lay warmestand brightest here
and that the cliff by the river, shut oft
the rather stiff, Western breeze. Miss
Burton and the stranger were ont
among the trees discovering patch
es OF fresh green moss, and turi ing
over dead leaves that they might find
the fragile stems of the pale anemones
which were beginning to plaw under
genial sunlight. The stranger had n
.hase after 4 squirrel, which went
1oanding along under the trees, paus.
ng now and then to spring pnop
is hind feet, and regard them will, it's
'lack eyes, and curl its tail over
is back aud culver; and then run on
'1ain as it inviting pursuit. The
stranger was very feet, and the ami
nal was nimble and quick, and was M
'mons the bon.iis, looking down at
nm when he reached the tree for which
'e lia'l observed it to be moving. He
ame back flashed and smiling, and be.
'an hunting among the leaves for flow
rs again.
The pleasant MONDAY sun was turn
ng The rock to ricll brown, when they
at down npon il 10 enjoy the contents
u the basket. And after the basket
vas put away, the stranger wove y
wreath OF young ferns and cheGuer-
Jerry vines, starred with the anemoaes
nd some violcts, and as Miss Barton
at by his side, he Suddenly turned and
rowned her with the wreath.
ut Is fitting that the Mad Warrior,
honld have a princess, and have pre-
'aeu ut the coronation" He went
way then, or it is possible that Miss
'nrton wonld have rejected his offer
'g. And as the hours slipped by, the
rown appeared to gather weight for
he stately head which bore it, dropped
over and lower upon the breast, and
ne clasped hands held each other with
painful pressure, which was not re.
eyed till the pleasant voice of The
riSht-eyed man broke her ieverie by
lliing 10 her, that he had found a
Ieasure of spotted lichen, further up
he cliff, and that they would come to-
borrow and gather it. Then Miss Bar
On took off the crown, and hanging it
pom her arm, put on her bonnet. and