The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1874-09-30
yER1fTIToNvILLE LOUISIANA SEPTEMBER

So
She was perfectly familiar with Tie
place, ant boldly went down the darB
stairs alone, with anger in her heat and
bitter tears in her eyes. She was thank.
full q hat the darkness would hide them.
He followed her down the stairs, and,
not finding herin the church, went Idl
the vestinule. She was not there. She
must have gone out. Blowing out his
candle, he opened the street door and
looked out She was not in sight. Call
ing her by name in the vestibule and
church, and receiving no answer, he
went out and locked the door behind
him. Annoyed and much disturbed
that he could not find her, he walked on
hastily toward home. She had not beea
there, and he hastily walked round the
next square to her fathers house. To
his surprise there was only one window
lighted, and that was the drawing-room
window. He rang the bell, and a
frightened servant-girl put cut her head
and asked who was there. Was her
young mistress not at home? No; she
had not returned. At first he had been
angry, now h was alarmed. He re-
turned to the church. A watchman, as
was his duty, had tried the door, and
was just coming down the steps. Had
he seen any young lady about +? No !;
young ladies were never out alone so
late. He must go into the church and
look for her. No; the watchman would
not allow it. In vain he protested that
he was the organist, and had a key.
After some parley over it, the watchman
consented, but said he should wait out
side.
Begging a match, he entered the
church, found his candle, and with
trembling steps entered the great dark
church. It seemed cold and cheerless,
and for moment he paused perplexed.
What had become of her? Had she
tainted in the church? It had hardly
seemed possible. Hewent up the stairs,
held the candle over his head, looked
everywhere, called her name o. ain and
again. Not sound in reply, save the
echo of his own voice. In despair he
walked up the broad aisle. Nothing
there. He went round to the sid aisle,
and nearly cried out in terror. She lay
at full length upon the floor. The glare
of the Pickering candle fell upon her
pale lace, and with cry OF anguish he
kneIt by her side and felt her pulse.
Thank God She was not dead.
Setting the candle in pew, he took her
gently up in his arms, and, carrying her
to the chancel, laid her down on the
step. A pew-cushion made her more
comfortable, and with his handkerchief
he brought water from the baptismal
fount and bathed her forehead. She
sighed little, and he hastily procured
the nndle and lighted one of the chancel
lamps. He would call the watchman
and send for carriage and help. As
he started to go, she opened her eyes,
recognized bim, smiled feebly, and then
closed them, as if in pain.
"What is it, love? Are you hurt
What ?''
ga sprain-my foot. I heard you
coming on the stairs and l hid myself,
but must have tainted. Take Off"
"Ah, yes,-the SHOE"
She put her hand over her mouth as
he unfastened her gaiter. The foot was
swollen, and she cried out in snite of
herself with the pam.
We must get you home at once. /
will call carriage"
No-no,-it will be better soon.
Battle it, please, dear.
He drew of her stocking and pre-
pared to bathe her injured foot. His
touch was like woman's. The water
from the cold marble fount seemed to
relieve her. She sat up and leaned
against the chancel rail and watched
him in silence. Presently she said:
I" How strong you are, and SO kind.
What should I have done il you had
not returned? recovered once in the
dark, before you came. At first I
thought was dead-then-the pain re-
minded me, and then-that is all | re-
member. Strange, wasn't it, that we
should have had such dreadful quar-
rel? I was very angry when I came
down stairs, and / did not mind my
steps"
" We have had no quarrel. 1t takes
two, Won know"
'sOh then you mean to give it up
Obi I am SO glad.
''Give up what ?"
"The organ"
SCI did not say so.
"Oh my love, you did"
"Not knowingly"
Here sharp twinge of pain caused
her to catch her breath with little cry
and start.
:" What is it ?"
"My foot think you ARE right
must get home ?"
g Yes there is a watchman just out
side. I will bid him call carriage. +"
He ran breathless through the aisle,
and in a moment returned, radiant. 1t
will be here in moment. Let him
wrap his coat about her foot and carry
her out. She suffered him to wrap her
up, and then he took her up as if she
had been child.
Wait-wait just moment. Sit
down moment. 1t has not come. Let
me rest-so-in your arms.
How long the carriage delayed They
sat thus on the chancel step for several
moments, and then she said:
"Ohl I am so glad you mean to give
up the organ. There's no money IN it,
You know"
Why do you speak OF 1t You
know I cannot. Ask some other
favor, but not that. !"
Sae made movement as If to escape
from his arms. He restrained her not,
and she tried to stand up. The pain in
her foot was too severe, and she sat
down, white with anguish.
"You do not love met is no mat
ter. Why has not the carriage 2
cit will be here presently, Then
you can 60 home.
For few moments she turned away
her head and was silent. The she said,
in q constrained voice
/" You viii come and see me, some
times-and perhaps be my-friend-l
shall miss-Harkl Is that the carriage?'
"No.
Then there was long pause. Neither
spoke, and they could hear nothing save
th. dreary ticking Of the clock III the
gallery. She bowed he, head upon her
hands and he sat up alert and listening,
but with dreadful war in his heart.
Was she 30 selfish? Was she really in
earnest I? We're they to thus part, and
. =. FlFHrst