The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-06-14
steps Of the stately mansion which

SIepS VI Tile SJilCely mansion winch
sheltered the beloved of my soul.
| Inasmuch as had fingered OH the
way in order to render my toilet as
elegant as possible, the street lamps
were lighted up when l finally reached
my destination. Darkness was fall
ing on the earth, but through the sur
rounding gloom my spirit scared aloft
sustained by celestial visions visions
Of my youthful charlner, all grace and
innocence, yielding gently to my i'm
passioned greeting. More beautiful
than ever | was assured that she had
grown, and as to her constancy |
doubted not for moment.
reached the house, and with a
heart bursting from too much happi-
ness, assembled the high brown stoop,
affected as / did so almost to tears by
the thought that very soon now |
should purchase a high stoop browl,
stone house of my own, and that she
and would day by day ascend and
descend the same in company together,
made one forever Strange to say,
the door stood open, and I know not
by what impulse, but probably be-
cause | was transported beyond the
bounds of sense and in the. mood to
do unlikely things, entered without
ringing, and advanced unannounced
into the drawing room.
Overcome for the moment, I seated
myself on a sofa the dim outline of
which half showed itself in the twi-
| light, for the gas had not been lit. I
heard voices-from the inner parlor.
What7 The voice Of my charmcr
Angelic sound! Enrapturcd, | held
my breath to listen.
He might be here any day; the
steamship is due"
Heavens! What happiness Her
whole soul wrapped in mine! Think
ing, talking Of my coming! Invol-
unfairly | grasped my vest pocket, in
which lay an elegant jewel case, greet
ing present for my darling.
But must hear those tones again.
did. Softly, swcetly she continued {:
81 don't know what shall say to
the silly goose; | wish he would stay
away"
Silly goose! Silly goosc!' that
could not be myself. Impossible =
But a cold shudder ran from the top
Of my head to the soles Of my new
boots. Now | must, would hear.
heard.
He is getting bald, too"
"Bald!" thought |, and put my
hand to my head. Sure enough, | was
a little bald. Of course | had known
it all along but thcn-well, this was
suspicious. | must hear the rest |
heard:
"Just think Of it-ncarly fofty years
old, and getting bald!"
Between thirty and forty; that was
my age.
"And only eighteen
My love was eighteen, precisely.
"Girls Of sixteen arc 50 silly. lie
took advantage OF me, for indeed, Il
child of that age thinks she is in love
with any body. He happened to be
the first one, and I knew no better.
Now am a young lady and know my
own mind. | know that | care only
for YOU. But here is the difficulty
The old creature has made money out
there in China, and papa win be angry
with me if | do not marry him"
No more doubtings-no more fears.
It was she called "tlc old creature" ;"
TO whom did she speak "A masculine
voice replied:
"Yor own Charles, darling, will
make money too"
The voices ceased and slight rust
ling was heard. A fash! A servant
had come in to light the gas. A mo-
ment more and the front parlor would
be illuminated. Quick! Now or new
er!
A rush. and / was gone. Conc
through the open door--gone down
the high stoop. Andmy visions? Gone,
too.
could have forgiven all, bnt that
she had called me "tllc old crea-
ture."