Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-01-13

ct.ptiOu room and par.Ors; tlie son
summer-like atmosphere Of furnace
dislelled all lingering idea OF colsl or
wet, and there were groups Of merry
guests moving to and fro to the inspir-
ing notes OF grand piano.
. Smith never told me "a word Of the
place. thought Major Perkinson
:. but it's a good islea-a capital idea.
! Called unexpectedly in the country,
ehs Ah, he's sly dog, is Smith"
He placed his dripping umbrella in
the stand, and deliberately hung mp
his hat aud overcOdt OH the< elegant
black walnut hall rack, and then he
came and stood in the doorway, both
hainss serenely joined under his coat
! tails. and lnaming smile upon his
couatenance. which showed all the
white teeth to Il very gorl advantage.
| ssGGnliress. gracion>r exclaimed
portly lady, in black velvet, 'Who is
i that in the doorway ~
"Ahs,. laughed M.jr Parkinson,
compIacentIy rubbing his hands ''yoa
ilieelrlesl to surprise me, but YOU didn't
after all. My dear ma,l;.ln. how do
4 You do "
4 "Sir, / don't know who you are
said tire lady of black velvet, rather
grimly, failing to recognize the Ma
: jor's proffercd hand.
"Dear me, aunt Rosa, chirped a
younger lady---she certainly could not
have been more than eighteen, aud
was as fresh and blooming as rose
bud-tripping forward, "Dont you
; see its COUSIN John n
i The Major looked puzzled; hut it
would have been rude for him tO lack
cuhrlishIy ont, when such a ripe pair
of cherry lips were put mp for him to
, kiss, and such dimpied pair Of arms
We're around his capacious waist.
!, IL never knew that l had such II
pretty cousin,n was the Majors inter
nal reflection; ..but dare say it's all
, right. Smith knows"
-And herp's cousin George and Ste
phen, and Margaret, and her girls p
cried the cherry -ripiened da.nsel, el-
gerly pulling him forward.
Major Parkinson shook hands with
them all rpand, feeling that lee had
, just cvme into large and unexpected
inheritance of relations.
IL knew the Ghundafee would be
in tonight cried one Of the girls,
clap,ing her hands. I'VE have been
, counting the days, coasin john.
eTle Ghundaree!" Then PG all
right, after ail.n thought the r~rpiex-
! ed Major. III was beginning te think
there might be some awkward mis-
. take here, but the Ghund,ree settles
| matteis.r a - rs
{ sOh and here's mamma p exclain-
ed rhe irresistible cherry hips, dancing
1 back wa,d aud forward ike pretty
q little Dervisl,. ..Grandini, he'scome
III knew he wonll he here tonight.
! Come and speak to Graudma, quick
r John"
n And the Major was pnIled along by
/, the sleeve Of his coat toward = silver
haired I'D lady, with white lace cap,
and string Of enormous gnld beads
J. around her shliveIed throat.
:, swell, John, ! do declare = cried
grandma. ~Who would have thought
the c;in,ate of India would have etan
:. ge<i you sat Why, yau nsrd u IN
tall and slim like a bee,s lsole, hut
z suppose its hurrieaRes aud earth
auakes. and all that ,rt vi thing tha
: has settled you duwu so short AM
& stout. go
. Major Parkil.san did not knew ex
'el atly what to say to this, SO he shool
2 the old lasly's band, saying;
sIIow da yoa and yourself this cves
= ing, ma'am r
"And yoa havent sved ssked afts
!. Clara--;sor clansr chilned in th
:. eighteen-year ofsf girl.
:. ssOh. ah, pardon nae I" stammer'
o. aar hSro. II was Just going TO II
ii qaire afteF Clara se
The lass With cherry lips beekess
!, TO fan, eraeefal ein in the hay Nj
Re dow. nat exactly yanng, hat still pas
q. ing pheasant To laak niaa,with bar,
rd gray eyea and soft, drcoping curls