The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-22

UIhy bOlu SUOT1eS 10 Uue CHIluF0u dUOut
wonderful places and things which
are to be found on this moving globe;
showed them glittering caves in the
heart of the earth, deserts with fierce
sun brooding over their blighted flats,
and flying camel carrying dark-faced
men and women out of reach of a
burning death; and, again, regions
where the stars glitter above noun
tains of ice, and the white bears wan
der from block TO block of snow in the
lonely seas. The children listened
with bated breath. Had Mr.. Gray
seen these places7 Should he ever
see themq No.. he thought not, he
should never see them now. Yet that
letter from the band of explorers re-
mained unanswered against his heart.
Twilight came, and the little forest
party went home for schoolroom tea.
AS they walked through the tunnel of
leaves, the children ran on before to
have the kettle boiling, and Lola and
Gray walked through the purple hol-
low, alone together. They did not
speak much, but walked close togeth-
er, slowly, and with full hearts. Ar
thur thought of nothing but that Lo-
las hand was in his; Lola thought of
nothing but that he had taken that
hand, and it could help him. As they.
turned from the shade into the open
space lighted by a last glaring reflec-
tfon from the vanished sun, a gorgeous
troop of moving clouds was sailing
along the horizon, purple and crimson
edged, upon sea Of gold. They had
taken a shape like tho pleasure galley
Of some ancient Eastern queen, and
foated solemnly, as if to music not
heard on earth. Something like this
was suggested to Lola's mind as the
lovers stood still to look, but Arthur
saw only the expedition, sailing away
without him to shores unknown; for
now he had made up his mind, indeed.
Let them 60, said Arthur Gray q he
would haye Lola for his wife.
Next day, when the young govern
ess went to Roselands to give the les
son, Arthur was already on his way
to London to explain to his exploring
friends that he could not join their
party. He would arrange some mat
ters of business, and return to the for
est country and ask Lola to be his
wife. He thought he knew well what
she would answer. There was only
one woman in the world who would
venture to share his poverty, but she
was the only woman he wanted, for
she was Lola. When the girl arrived
at Granny's she found the old lady
walking IN and down the path with q
gold headed stick and large parasol,
and q face of much unusual perturba-
ton.
~ have given the children a holi-
day, and they are making hay in the
meadow" said Granny to Lola. 81
am going to have a talk with you. l
have got you at last" she continued,
"what l have long been seeking for
you, situation in Paris, where you
may see little of the world and i'm
prove yourself III French. For a girl
who has to earn her bread such inn
provemcnts are desirable, and you can
not go on expensive trips, as your
cousins can. l have a .letter here
from the gentleman who engages Hou.
He will wait for you till tomorrow,
when you must join him."
Lola's cheeks had become white.
She reflected for a few moments, and
then raised her eyes gravely to the old
lady's face, saying
can not CO."
"Now, Lola, listen to me. You are
only connection of this family.
have always treated you as if you
were my grandchild, and if 1 could
have done more for you should have
been glad, but l am too poor"
~ should not have accepted more,"
said Lola.
"Don't he pert, Miss, with your can
nots and should nots. / have some
questions to ask of you. Arthur Gray
has gone to London. Do you know
what his business is -"
"No," said Lola.
"Is it possible that he has asked
you to marry him7"
"No."
"But he has done just the same,
and you expect that he will ask you
WueH He COHlCS DtCk r.
EYES," said Lola.
"And you won't go away to earn
your bread because you are waiting
to be a milestone round poor mans
neck7 You are resolved to wreck
completely all the hopes he had cher
ished before he met you7 2"
A dreadful look had come into the
young girls eyes; she put her hand
dizzily to her head.
"You silly child, don't you see that
he is poor man; no one conld be
poorer except yourself. If he were an
ordinary man this ought, to deter you,
for he would have 10 toll in way you
know little about to,give you bread to
eat. He is not common man, but
with great career before him, that is
if you, chit of a girl, do not step in
to spoil it. He is too generous to tell
you this, perhaps, but l have no scru-
pie in hurting you when it ought to
be done."
"Tell me of his career, said Lola.