New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-19
up LAUREL
BY CHRISTIAN REID.


When, after much deliberation, Louis
Chalmers and her brother decided to take
holiday, it became an important secUndar,
question where that holiday should b,
spent. Though they lived in quiet board
inghouse on d quiet street in Baltimore
these young people were Carohnians; and
as soon as the word holiday was mentioned
they looked at each other, and uttered with
one accord another word-homr!
$40 you remember said Louise, "tht
mountains where We always spent the
summon when we were childrenf o Paul
should you not like to go theref"
Paul's pale cheek flushed.
81 remember very WE'LL" he answered, in
low voice, and his clear eyes Looked wlst
fully out of the window. as ii he would fair
wander away in search of that lJst, happy
chudhood-a childhood which see med like
another existence to the young Grip, 10 IN
his couch OF pain. ITO think that should
ever have climbed mountains, waded
streams, and robbed birds nests!r he said
with faint, sad smile. 1T would certainly
be pleasant to 60 back and |, ok at the Ar.
cadls where such things were possibe-bnt
the question is, Bonnibrl, can we atio7d itl'
"Oh, thiuk 50" replied Louisa, with all
her Heart in her voice. ut will cost good
deal to get there, but, when once we are
there, living is ideally cheap"
SO it was decided that they would goa
foolish decision, n" doubt. since their means
were exceedingly limited, and they could
have found many cheap and pleasant resorts
near at hand. But who has not occasional
ly taken pleasure at being imprudent, in
giving the reins to sell. indulgence, and
turning ones back on the cOupses of
economy Both Paul and Louise were long
ing for the wild, sweet beauty, the absolute
repOse and freshn- SIS of those green Caro-
lima mountains they lad once known so
well, and, with the improvidence OF power
ty, they deter mined to crafty this desire.
A golden August day found them at the
end of their long railroad journey, stand.
ing By the door of the stage coach which
plies bt tween Old Fort, at the foot of the
Blue Ridge, and Asheville, beyond it. Paul
having been establish. d, with air-cushions
and pillows, in corner OF the back seat,
Louise went to the hotel for missing
satchel. When she returned the landlord
had stepped away and there was no one to
assist her into the coach. Now, there are
few things more difficult, from feminine
point OF view, than AN ascent into stage
coach; and so she hesita'ed, uncertain
whether to spring desperately or Call for
chair. While she hestated voice behind
her said, "Will GU allow me- to assist YOUR
She turned quickly. The speaker was
tall, dark gentleman, who seemed slightly
amused by her embarrassment. TheI had
been something kind aud frank in the ,o CO
which the face seconded very we'll. 1t was
not q handsome face-rather plain, strong
0ne-but its very paleness and strength
we're reassurlng. Louise, who would have
drawn back, and uttered a cool mo- thank
you" to handsome butterfly of fashion,
looked up with her soft eyes. and smiling,
said, III you will be 20 kind )" to this man,
He assisted her into the high swung
vehicle with skill which is very different
from mere strength, handed her basket and
satchel after her, then asked Paul if he
E0uld dn thinu m ronAar
Portable. ~ am going on top" he added,
after the young man had replied in the
negative, "6ut if can be of service to you
in any way pray do not hesitate to call
"What a considerate person. said Louise,
and two peevish children to be hoisted in.
WHO is he Panl-d0 you knowf"
Paul tossed Q card ia her lap.
He gave me that in the hotel" he said,
after speaking to me in the kindest possi. |
Die manner. 1t will tell you all that l know
about him"
George Dunwardin was the name on the |
card-ons altogether unknown to Louise.
Soe had theory with regard to the fitness |
OF things, however, and the n anne seemed to |
suit, In certain subtitle fashion, the pei 8 n |
who bore it. She thought this, with q |
smile, as the coach set forth on it's jolting |
way, but the many discomforts of her posi- |
ooSA D~AAAohSu AAAAs OuhW0rulu lEUu ncT |
mind.
1t is beautiful road, that which for six
miles Leads directly TO the summit of the |
Blue Ridge through Swannanoa Gap, but it
is also very rough rOad-so rough that
one 10 tempted to doubt whether one will
arrive whole Or in pieces at the end of it,
10 see Paul's face distorted with pain az the
heavy coach jolted and swung TO and fro
over the stones of all sizes and shapes
which covered the road, seemed to Louise
u most more than she could bear. With
lender hands she drew his head down on
her shoulder, and heaped shawls and cush.
oas around him. but with litrls effect.
After while his very lips turned white,
md she knew that he had tainted.
IL was no uncommon thing in the parox.
ysms Of great anguish which sometimes
pane to him, but just now she was un.
sfrnDg, and for moment lost her self-con-
sroi She put h'r head out of the window
nd called, asking the driver to stop.
my brother has tainted" she said; Il
must have water"
mere was tense chord in her voice that,
wen before the driver drew MP his horses.
made George Dunwardin spring to the
Iround.
lie hurried round to the window, and,
Gaming Id, felt Panfs pulse. Then he looked
"fhere is no danger" he said. "Don't
n alarmed Have you anything in which
. get water3'
One OF the other passengers anticipated
!er ~ handing y cup, whlch Mr. Dunwsr-
In hiled from u clear stream running
luickly along by the side of the road. With
Az he bsthed PsuPs face, and gave him .
lDerAl dose Of the medicine which Louise
'eodncAd. Before long the young man re-
1yed, ard opened his eyes Ian guidly.
!, Dear, have ! fiightensd yOup he said. |
I an 20 sorry |" 500 I5'.,-l..'7 -
"he will do nos" said Mr.. Duuwardin,
neerf1Ily. .Buts if you viii let me take
oar place 4iss Chal1srs, think he may I
ssstais hin. Oas q thess gsaisHeas-