Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-15

sure WnlcV tnc HuJ feturutu Win lntel
est By GEORGE i is Laura Summers
Laura, don't you know me? "br al
Cousin Gabriel, ] knew you tire
minutes age" quoth the fair rover, de
murely, and heard your voice befor
you turned yonder bend Of the river"
Charley - Paul = let me introduc
you. My cousin, Miss Sumn ners"
We pulled of our boating caps, and lie
our boat run alongside the skif, int
which Gabriel olambered, and took tn
sculls from the lady.
Why, how long have you been here
Laura"
"About week. We took this plac,
for the summer. Papa is delighted witt
it, and catches any quantity of percl
every evening sheu he returns from
town.
Laura, we're awfully hungry" whis
pered Gabriel; "what hour does the ole
gentleman dine2" Io.
A whispered conversation followed, al
the conclusion of which we we're invited
to step ashore and spend the evening a
Riverside Villa, for so Miss Summers
country nook was called. And, indeed
we enjoyed the prospect of an adyen
ture. When a man is hungry there is 9
spice OF novelty about taking up his
quarters and feeding with people whose
personnel he has no idea Of, and ofwhom
he hopes rare things in the dinner line.
Then, a stranger, introduced by un ami
de la famille, has so many privileges
and everybody is anxious to find out
what stuff he is made Of, so that, on the
whole, the novelty is delightful Ten
minutes after our introduction, we were
all three dressing for dinner, which
dressing consisted of a total ablution, a
turned collar, and a general brush down
to improve the texture of our boating
clothes.
"What do you think of it?" said Paul
to nae, as we waited impatiently, it must
be confessed. the tinkle Of the dinner
bell.
Jolly, my boy, jolly. Don't you think
the fair Laura is sweet2'
"Do you know Gabriel has often
raved to me about his cousin, and have
chaifed him ever so many times on the
subject of his ladylove2 I'm going in
tonight to make him jealous"
Don't do anything foolish, Paul." |
said cautiously, as we walked toward the
dining-room.
Mr.. Summers and his wife treated us
to cordial shake hands, and seemed to
hold medical students in an exalted and
unusual light, indeed He thought a
few days at Riverside Villa would be a
healthy relaxation, after the fatigue of
our studies, assured US that the perch
fishing was excellent, and that Laura
would exert all her powers to entertain
us, if we could possibly remain. Paul
was willing, aud remembered that our
next lecture would not come off for sew
eral days; and, for my part, being
much harder student than either of my
companions, | really felt the necessity
of little draught of country life. And
so we agreed to remain for three days.
That evening Paul was evidently on
his best behavior. He was well versed
in the many little arts that pleased wo-
men, and had an excellent baritone
voice. l could see that Gabriel was
longing to have Miss Laura to himself,
to talk over old tipes, and perhaps, /
conjectured, renew some soft promises
that might have passed between them.
But she seemed to be completely taken
up with Paul and they sang duets to-
gether; and, isolating themselves from
us, appeared to be in strong Irritation.
Mr.. Summers fell asleep over the even
ing paper; Mrs. Summers dozed over
the worsted-work; and Gabriel and my
self examined book of prints; while
Paul and Laura chatted in low voice
beside the piano. could see that Ga
briel was slightly annoyed, and regret
ted the resolution which Paul had evil
IDENTIFY formed in regard to making his
chum desperately jealous.
The next morning we all rose early for
a swim in the river,
g Jolly girl that cousin of yours" said
Paul, gaily, as he prepared to take a
header.
Laura, I'm inclined to think, has
more beauty than sense, answered Ga.
briel, dryly, pulling off his boots and
stockings in sulky sort of way.
"Were you ever in love, Paul2 said |,
jocoseley, wishing to give the conversa-
ton o bantering turn. But Paul was
spluttering and houndering ten yards off
in the river.
81 don't think it fair" said Gabriel to
me, confdentially, that Paul should
make such "a determined attempt to hirt
with Laura. She is about half engaged
to me; the old gentleman has consented;
and Paul knows this. Why should he
endeavor to make himself disagreeable
in this wayy ~
| rPshawl tis only his oonfounded lev
ity. Never mind him, Gabriel.
:" But will mind him; and though |
may be very wrong, / confess that /
never felt more inclined to. quarrel with
him than at this moment.
| was back in London. had left Paul
and Gabriel at Riverside Villa to fight it
out between them for the smiles of the
fair Laura. Twas working hard, for the
time approached when ! should go up for
my degree. Three days after my depart
ure, had short note from Paul, stating
that Summers had extended his invita-
ton to a couple of weeks, and asking me
to send him down certain number of
his medical works. This ] did, mutter
ing as put them in the Office, | don't
think, Mr.. Pall, that your studies will
occupy large portion Of the two weeks
you intend spending at Riverside Villa.
One evening, while | was pOring over
q skeleton that l had purchased a week
before, Gabriel presented himself.
81 am glad to see you, old fellow, l
shouted, jumping up and taking his
hand. He grasped mine cordially, and
sat down. noticed, with uneasiness,
that his frank, jolly look was changed TO
. sort Of brooding, angry expression,
very unusual indeed TO his open eOunte-
nance.
How are the people at the villa, /
asked, and did you bring Paul along
with youH
Gabriel struck his hand on the table