New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-19

I
call to day was to invite yOu to take ride
with me tomorrow. l must force you out
into the open air. If you will not go OF
yourself, must come and take you. We
can ride to Cornwall and back. Will you
goT ....-
YES" said che. rather demurely, Il
would like to see the old chestnut tree. l
have not been there this year"
Then" said l, "it's bargain; to morrow
at three o'clock. Good-by."
came away feeling that l was playing u
part in melodrama.
Ny next days ride from the POweltOn
House toward Cornwall, accompanied by
my fair invalid, was noticeable for its clear
sky, Its smiling wayside weeds. it's quarrel
some and melodious birds, it's occasional OK
team, it's frequent pleasuretriders both in
carriages and ON horse baok-nOticeable,
say, for all these, but still more for its volu-
BILE tongue and attentive ears the tongue
being mine, the ears Miss Luoy's.
by the way" L observed, "do you re-
member another family of Rayners who
used to visit Cornwalli l think they spent
last summer here, or perhaps The summer
before. What has become of them"
"Yes," she replied, 81 remember them
slightly. 1t was two years ago. They have
not been here since. There was marriage
in their family last winter in New York,
and-what do you think9-the absurd story
went round that the happy event had oc-
CURED in nay papa's overwhelmingly
such thing, you know, is not at all likely
ever to happen" she added with smile.
| did not drive to the Atkins House, but
to the chestnut tree. where ! left my horse
and wagon in charge of my gentle passen-
ger-all three greenly Pavilioned in the
summer shade.
ha H. 10 hng
had gone three steps, Miss Lucy, you re-
member Mrs. Rhodes, to whom you sent the
flowers last years She is here again, laid
up with the ague. Suppose you send her
your card and compliments. The remem-
brance would cheer her"
81 have no cards with me-" was the
reply.
Here, them" said l, lis blank card;
write your name and message on it, and
date it to-day"
She took my lead pencil and wrote :
Good wishes. Lucy Rayner, July II,
1872" 1t was the self-same hand writing q
On my way into the hotel
slipped this card into little envelope such
as / used in giving out medicines, and wrote
on the outside Elixir Vita"
Mr.. Gordon was sitting under grape
vine in the garden, which was on the oppo-
site side of the house from the chestnut
tree. He was apparently reading, for he
held magazins, but he was really doing,
and it lay unnoticed on his knee. | saluted
him with a good afternoon. He hastily rose
and welcomed me with something of the
same sad indifference, almost bitterness, as
on the day before.
II am in some haste" 1 said, $50 l will
first run acress the road TO Mr. Wilson's,
and then ask you to save my time by step
ping down to where my buggy is, by the
chestnut tree. Here is the medicine prom
sed you. Take it at once. 1t will make
you q new man."
So saying, l quickly stepped away, and
passing behind some lattice work, through
which | could see without being seen, | saw
lim slowly open the envelope, suddenly
start with astonishwent, hold ont the card
with one hand, put the other to his Gewil-
tered brain, and then look around for me.
lie was in rage like lion in snare. aud.
suddenly springing forward in the direction
n which | had gone, he bounced upon me
before could get out of The way.
hat is s. lie exclaimed.
"What is what g.
''Why, this card :"
LET me see. 0. that was meant tor old
Yrs. Rhodes. beg your pardon. The
medicine brought tor you is in my wagon
lnder the tree. ] will Join you there soon
This time l walked away far enough to
,e out of reach, and left him alone. WHY
lott Ally own part in the play had ended.
even as mere spectator, | had NO cour-
eOus excuse 20 remain. Every heart
lnoweth its own bitterness, and stranger
not with it's joy" What
light had to enter into the chambers of
his mans breastf None. So took myself
loot from him on the instant, and lett him
o solve his enigma by himself. The tn
multi within him-Of memories, mieconcep-
ions, guesses, hopes. hallueinatons--all
he stormy yet sunshiny contlictI his on
lersmitten, tempest-heaten breast; this, to
man like myself, intey ested in psychologi-
al phenomena, would have been pleasant
Exhibition as portrayed on THE human face
ivine;' but it was d spectacle which | had
10 right to gloat over, pry into or gaze at.
Then, as to the next ensuing scene, still
ess right had To stand even afar of. at
he most decOrous and inaudible distance.
yet observing, and allow my
nbidden eyes to take the merest glimpse
r peep at the strange and joyful drama en-
cited under the chestnut tree when two
overs met again i'll their cid trysting place.
he churi who gazed through the creyice of
shut window as the naked Lady of Coven-
~ rode past, was struck and scared with a |
lst blindness for 1.-The powers that wait |
n mind cancel sense misused." But how
luCh greater penalty deserves to fall on the |
till more prurieRt Paul Pry who morbidIy |
cts his curious eyes, not on stark and |
drinking body, but on a stripped and |
aked soull !
Therefore l went into the woods-mv
lOughts and / tOgether-these being a |
and of restless companions. Nv tramp
lg feet wandered after them, crushing the |
I0sses and breaking the harebells. !
alked and meditated, both ia fierce earn |
stness.
" Let them have it out said I cit can |
ct be settled in moment; they shall have |
Ill time for explanations and apologies
zee opportunity for pledges and protesta- |
ons. There is mischief to be undone. and |
,paratiOn to be made. There is a tangled |
lein to be unraveied, and eilken cord to |
g tied. will be in no haste"
So for a couple of hours sauntered |
nong the trees, and like jacques, moral
ed These reunited lovers had lust
'uched the summit and supreme moment
life; and yet, though my heart leaned |
nd bounded with theirs, | was angry with
le fools for their years folly At the very
oment when they were undoubtedly for
wing each other, was resolutely blaming
9TH. They had no right to commit against
lch other such q binder, such crime rs |
10 mutual misunderstanding by which
icy had well nigh shipwrecked their lives.
held them both in the wrong. not both
,uaIly, but both actually; Miss Rayner as
ell as Mr.. Gord0n-Ellen Adair as well as
iward Gray. A shy and coy woman,
ho loves strong and ardent man.
ould beware lest In her reserve,
e hide her love 30 completely
at, like Geneva of the mistlctoe bough,
is never discovered by him who seeks it,
1t is left sealed in its coffin forever More
'er, a strong, impulsive and imperious
an. who loves n reserved woman, should
e his bright wits, and not trust to his
ind jealousies. 10 determine the state of
oh n wopan's heart. Half the misunder.
4ndings Of those who can leas. afford TO
each other at all. arise from
10 mint reasonS: fret. from Yant of franE