Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-01-18

which the lady returned with interest,
" By George. it Is Laura Summers. Lau-
ra. don't you know me?''
J. Cousin Gabriel, knew you three MIN
utes ago, !" quoth the iair rover, demurely,
ssand heard your voice before you turned
wonder bend of the river"
Charley-Paul-let me Introduce you.
NV cousin, Miss Summers"
we pulled off our boating caps, and let
our boat run alongside the skiff, into which
Gabriel clambered, and took the sculls
from the lady.
why, how long have you been here,
Laura?"
for tbe summer; papa is delighted with
H. and catches any quantity of perch
every evening when he returns from
town.
F9Laura, we're awfully hungry" whis.
pered Gabriel; "what hour does the old
gentleman dine?'
A whispered conversation followed, at
the conclusion of which we were invited
TO step ashore and spend the evening at
Riverside Villa, for so Miss Summers
country nook was called. And, indeed,
we enjoyed the prospect of an adventure.
When a man is hungry, there is spice of
novelty about taking up his quarters and
feeding with people whose personnel he
has no idea of, and of whom he hopes
rare things, in the dinner line. Then, a
stranger, introduced by un ami de la ia
mile, has so many privileges, and every
body is anxious to find out what stun he
is made of, so that, on the whole, the nov
elty is delightful. Ten minutes after our
Introduction. we were all three dressing
for dinner, which dressing consisted of
total ab,ution, a turned collar, and gen.
eral brush down to improve the texture
of our boating-clothes.
"What do YOU think of it?'' said Paul
to me, as we waited inpatiently, it must
be confessed, the tinklc of the dinner
bell.
"Jolly, my boy, jolly. Don't you
think the fair Laura is sweet ~
"Do YOU know, Gabriel has often
rayed to me about his cousin, and have
chaffed him ever so many times on the sub
feet of his lady-love- I'm going in to-
night to make him Jealous"
"Don't do anything foolish, Paul." L
said, cautiously, as we walked toward the
dining room.
a cordial shake hands, and seemed to hold
medical students in an exalted and unu-
sual light, indeed. He thought few days
taxation, after the fatigue of our studies,
assured us that the perch fishing was ex-
cellent. and that Laura would exert all her
mowers to entertain us, if we could pos
! sibly remain. Paul was willing, and re-
, membered that our mex lecture would moi
: come off for several days and, tor my
o mart. being a much hardHr student thar
: either of nv companion. really felt tht
necessity of little draL yht of country
n life. And so we agreed to remain to
three days.
n That evening Paul was evidently on iii
l. best behavior He was well versed in tn
y many little arts that please women, ant
: had an exc, llent baritone voice. | cOul,
d see that Gabriel was longing to have Mis-
i Laura to himself, to talk over old times
It and perhaps, conjectured, renew som
v soft promises that might have passed bt
1t tween them. But she seemed TO be CON
Is pletely taken up with Paul, and they san
,r duets together; and, isolating themselve
N from us. appeared TO be in a strong fir
ation. Mr.. Summers tell asleep over tn
70 evening paper; Mrs. Summers doZed owe
10 the worsteJ-work; and Gabriel and myse
examined a book of prints; while PaI
d, and Laura chatted in low voice besid
Ne the piano. / could see that Gabriel wa
III slightly annoyed, and | regretted the re-
/ olution which Paul had evidently forme
k, in regard to making his chum desperatel
I'd Jealous.
Is a swim In the river.
's "Jolly girl that cousin of yours" sal
ed Paul, gaily, as he prepared to take
m header.
he Laura, I'm inclined to think. hs
d. more beauty than sense" answered G'
briel, dryly, pulling off his boots an
lis stockings in sulky sort of way.
or "Were you ewr in love, Paul?'' said
to loosely, wishing to give the conversatic
IS a bantering turn. But Paul was splutte
or ing and foundering ten yards off in Il
q river.
"I don't think it fair" said Gabriel
ur me, confidentialiy, that Paul shou
lie make such determined attempt to fiji
ng with Laura. She is about half-engaged
n me; the old gentleman has consented, an
Paul knows this. Why should ne e
ms deavor to make himself disagreeable
ire this way?"
Pshaw! tits only his confounded lie,
re, ty. Never mind him, Gabriel"
ed "But I will mind him; and though
a may be very wrong, confess that | ne
nd er felt more inclined to quarrel with hi
lr- than at this moment"
ily l was back In London. had left Pa
lly and Gabriel at Riverside Villa to fight
W. out between them for the smiles of t
ifi- fair Laura. l was working hard. for {
by time approached when should go up
ris- my degree. Three days after my depa
not ure, had a short note from Paul, stati
that Summers had extended his invi
md ton to couple Of weeks, and asking
to send him down certain number ct
ing medical works. This did, muttering
put them in the Office, 81 don't thir
Of Mr.. Paul, that your studies will occupy
an large portion of the two weeks you
ban tend spending at Riverside Villa"
u1dl One evening. while l was poring owe
'ed, iskeleton that had purchased week
,ro- fore, Gabriel presented himself.
to, Pm glad to see you, old fellow,
the shorRed, Jumping up and taking his har
un- He grasped mine cordially and sat dow
lar- l noticed with uneasiness, that his frar
lich jolly look was changed to a sort of bro'
the ing angry expression, very unusual
pie. deed to his 0hen countenance.
"How are Ae people at the villa,
asked; ''and did you, bring Paul ale