Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-07-13

noon nap, and Claude began to read
aloud to me--a most unfortunate pro-
ceeding on his part, for it happened
that was obliged to listen for the
street-dOor bell, and wished to con.
ceal the fact from my companion.
never did care much for poetry.
but that day quite abhorred it. In
, the midst of ~ sentimental piece which
Claude was reading most beautifully
- ting. ting" went the bell; up | jump.
Ell. and with muttered - Excuse me,o
left the room.
The same interruption happened
again, and a third time. l bacame so
nervous that left the 1tting room
door open, and this was the uhlncky
speech which met the ears Ofmy OffeB-
ed companion.
Don't, Charlie dear! Leave me
alone, sir; l will not allow you TO kiss
me, although am very fond OF you"
Here followed scufiie and some
suppressed laughter
When returned to the sitting room,
Claude stood looking the very picture
of Indignation.
Pray, may l ask who Charlie
dear is Probably only boy" said
he satiricaiiy.
"No, he is not boy | answered,
with careless laugh-thiS " only a
boy" was sneering allusiOn to lad
OF sixteen, OF whom Claude had once
been jealous, and to whom | had just
ly applied the term.
Then | must insist upon knowing
what man dared to attempt TO kiss
you,' exclaimed Claude liercely.
Would you like To see him y l
asked tauntingly, ami then we had a
sharp quarrel, which terminated IN his
saying:
Eva Rayham, / give sou twenty
fOar hours To consider whether you
will tell ne the name of the impeTti-
neilt rascal whom you permitted 10
take such liberty without properly
resenting it. If tomorrow night ,ou
persist in obstinate refusal, we must
part then forever. can pardon irivol-
it's, oLt not deceit.
covered my face with my hands,
and said in low tone, - cannot"
In "a moment he dashed out OF the
room, and Rit the house. banging the
street door 81 violently that Granny
ran down alarmed for the plate basket,
and found me-laughing iinmOderate-
ly.
The next evening came, and with it
Claude, looking SO pale and wretched
that quite pitied him. Immediately
Oh his arrival Granny left us alone,
and for IA few minutes silence followed,
!
which was broken by his saying in "A
most severe tone:
" Have yOu made up your mind to
tell the truth, Eva. OF to make us both
miserable for life Z"
Il am not miserable nor wOud
yOu be, if you We're not such "a foolish
Iiolt," / answered.
. Heartless coquettew be began,
when "a ring at the he'll caused me to
leave the room hastily, for it MAS
Charlie come again. OF course ex-
pected Claude to follow me-but he
was not mean, dear fellow
Very soon / returned, followed by
Charlie, on all tours. Yes, the often
der was only a large, fat terrier, blind
Of one eye, and old enOugl, even had
he been biped, not to awaken jeal.
ousy in Claude's breast.
Never shall forget the expression
Of humiliation on poor Claulde's face
at the discovery of his unknown rival
The cure was more than half compile
ted, and dear Granny finished it, fol
she preached such q beautiful little
sermon about the folly OF je'sDusy
that it made me cry, aud Claude''
voice was quite husky when next hs
spoke.
l After it was all made mp, and mat
tiers were pleasant again, said:
"Now, Claude, l will tell you why
the bell had such a disturbing rtfec
upon me yesterday. Our only domes
tic had gone out for the afternoon
ami ,io,u "A weak minded pride