Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-06-07

reason for the change i'm him. Perhaps i
was some fault in her. that he took tha
way To tell her of. Perhaps il vas good
bye. and he trusted it to pen and ink
rather than his own lips. She could nevci
know. Oh. careless Dan, your repent
ancc has won forgiveness, but what cal
undo the mischief.
She thought. how close and oppressive
the night is growing. She took off tn,
pretty blue percalc that she had put on
that afternoon with faint hope at hcr
heart. and put on an ancient pink wrap
per; she took off the blue ribbons and lp
down the mass of heavy soft hair thai
was her greatest pride and beauty. Ther
she went out on To the little veranda. ant
though she was as miserable as doubt
ing. diStruStiul and slightly fetiul young
woman could be, there was a grain o
comfort in the thought that nobody knew
it.
If she only could know what was i'm tn,
note-if she only could.
OF course he was down there at the
party. and of course he would 90 back tC
/ the city on the one O'Clock train. he al
ways did. and equally. of course, she
would never see him again.
Ii was nine o'clock. Still she sat or
/ the porch. and from down the street sh,
could hear the music. and almost hear tn,
pat Of the dancers feet. She could So,
them all there: girls i'm bright gay
dresses. and with gayer. brighter hearts
Palmer than all the rest she could sec
MOllie Black. and in her hair and on her
bosom. were the flowers that had come
down from the city that day : the flowers
Will Wallace had brought. Then she saw
herself in her loneliness and veXation.
and sorrow; and up stairs she saw the
white dress and the ilat-irOn shaped burn
that ruined il. She could not help smil-
ing at the contrast in the pictures and
then was amazed to think she could
smile.
Pretty soon sound that was wonder
fully familiar fell upon her ears. Belle
MahOnc' whistled as only Will could
whistle il. was coming nearer every min
ute. and i'm another the little wooden gate
swang as wide open as the state of its
hinges would admit. and Will Wallace
sprang upon the porch beside her.
Well, Harrie. most ready for the
partv?' was his first SalutatiOn.
II don't understand YOU. Pm not 90
ing. You needn't wait" and II"rrie's
voice began to choke little with all her
effort 10 keep it steady.
Needn't wait? What nonsense
What is it little girl? Tell us all about IT.:
first let me get a look at yOu." and he
drew her into the moonlight much against
her will. Dear me-" he exclaimed,
you look like something between mer-
maid and washer r-wOman-hair ailOat,
arms bare. and the pink gown on that
you wore five years ago. Oh. Harric !.
something dreadful has happened know.
To bring You to this and he laughed
81 De- L., Ii 1,-
ment. ''COmc. let's divide the troubles.
Tell me all about it. OF course you got
my note?''
No didn't" said our brave Harrie.
breaking down. Now she had said
to herself over and over, that when
Mr.. Wallace did come. if he ever
did. she would be very cool and calm,
and let him see that she could be as
indifferent as he could; all Of which
she proceeded TO do by crying like little
girl. 81 didn't get your note. and | knew
YOU were in town for Mrs. Gilman met
you. and came right here and told me-"
"She did eh. The meddlesOme creature
did stop me, remember, and remember
also SAYING several things on purpose to
mystify her. never thinking il could do
any harm. wrote you note telling you
that had come down on business for the
firm: that had not an hour to spare or
would come up-yOu ought to have known
that-and that would be up to 90 with
you TO the party, even if | came little
late, and here | am; but where is your
party attire? You look pretty to me, OF
course. but your dress would hardly be
considered the thing at the Blake mansion,
How does it happen that my note did not
reach you? Dan assured me with fervOr
4 hat hn nd
should haveit. However,, brought down
the lovcliest flowers for you and meant you
should wear them tonight. remembered
your passion for pansies; and truly. IIar-
rie, | couldn't bear to send them up to
you for wanted to see your delight over
them myself. See, Harrie,' and he took
up the little basket, where bOquet for
the hand and flowers for the hair and neck.
lay among moss and leaves.
"Oh, dear" sighed Harrie, "Dan took
the note off cunning and used it up for
wadding and other things. he says, and
never knew of it till he confessed at bed
time. | have tOrmentcd myself all day,
and Just because I've been doubling, I've
lost my evenings pleasure. and more than
all. made you lose yours. too
by no means" said Will. 81 expect
to enjoy the evening yet-what is left
though perhaps not Just as planned. !
think YOU did not do me quite justice
but | am going to blame your aunt and
Mrs. Gilman for it. for can imagine that
their remarks would tend to shake one S
faith trifle, eh?''
"Will." said Harrie. sOlemnly, 81 have
been miserable, AMI cross, and hateful all
day."
Haven't you stated that backward"
asked Will.
"NO. haven't, but l haven't stated il
just right, either, for did commence the
day with good intentions. Indeed. even
my little corner of the world looked bet
ter and brighter than usual this morning,
and my heart was full of sunshine, that
meant to keep all day. But everything
went wrong. Aunt was trifle more irri-
tatng than usual. Mrs. Gilman came and
told me you had come. and brought the
beautiftllest flowers to MOllie Blake"
"YOu ought to have known better"
.Then she told me | was not looking
well-lOoked peaked"
! "She shall be arrested for SANDER"
| "And you did not come, nor send me
any word. and the children were cross
and Susy made me tell stories till | VS.
hOarse, till finally, gave her a good
shaking"
"Oh! you dreadful girl. shake the
poor little thing" said Will. mOckingly
And | burnt big hole in my white
muslin dress, because | was so cross ant
reckless"
"Oh. dire confessions, when will they
end? Burnt big hole i'm her best dress