Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1875-07-31
For the Richland Beacon.
THE BOUQUET.
CHAPTER Ill.

"Claude, not off yet? l feared |
would not get back in time TO bid you
Godspeed," and Col. Gordon assigned
his jaded steed to Servant.
"How | wish | could 90 with you
as far as Marietta-say, are you going
to hunt up Cecile? You had better
not; you know the old adage about
the folly of wisdom. | bet you she
is a scraggy old maid in search of
lover. Let me draw picture Of her
for you-a-"
Hush, Harold, your sarcasm is
lost you forget | have seen her-if
only for moment, / am certain |
would know her again"
"How do you know the girl you
saw was the donor of the flowers ?"
Because she held up her hand"
"That was probably a signal to
some one else. No, no, | am con-
vinced, Claude, that she is an old
maid, at least thirty. You had better
throw her overheard and call and see
little Lee; She gave promise three
years ago of becoming beauty, and
the merriest little chick ever met"
81 hope to meet your little friend
but, Harold, / must find Cecile; |
want to thank her for her sweet, wo-
manly letters. Their purity and un-
affected piety has been a safeguard to
me amid the thousand temptations Of
camp lite-Cecile may be fifty, but
she is lady"
"Will you stop as you go through"
"Pray, Harold, do look like enter
ing lady's parlor? No, sir, l will
not meet her in this plight. Why,
Harold, my suit would not be salable
to the rag-man. | shall wait until
my return, when | can revel in the
delights of new suit, buttons, gold
lace and ALL"
"Well, old boy, aureroir; remem.
Der me to all the home folks, and per-
NIT me to express q hope that your
incognita may prove the fair vision
that has so long haunted you"
isis, cousin Eva, come, let's play
game of croquet. Why, Leila, what
ever is the matter? Oh! l see Mss
Lorimer :" and the laughing girl
made profound bow. won't your
ladyship join US in game?"
Hush, Maud, or | won; go step;
why should l not wear my hair like
Eva? lam sick Of curls; every old
maid in town wears them"
"All right, Sis, but hurry up, it will
soon be time to take my music lesson.
Heighho! won't l be glad when
finish school, / do hate to practice.
Cousin and will beat you and Alice"
Leila was for the first time in her
life troubled, nor could she keep from
showing it by her changeful moods,
one moment wildly gay, the next
gloomy.
"What is it, Leila ?" Eva inquired,
looking up one day in surprise as her
cousin stamped her foot with this
ejaculation: "What on earth made
mo such gump?"
"Nothing, Eva, ! am out of humor
to-day, that's ALL and the thought
of what vexed her made her blush
and her cheeks burn.
81 am going to the Office, Eva !;
what will you give for letter? ="
She ran out Of the room without
waiting for reply. "Ob! if | had not
written and could meet him as Col.
Gordon's friend. how proud and hap
py / would be. l wonder if he will
recognize me-but know he won't
/ hope he will not mention Cecile,
do indeed l wonder if could help
looking conscious Such thoughts
quickly followed each other through
Lelia's brain, as she trod the familiar
streets. She could not wait to reach
home to read the letter handed her,
for well she knew the plain, bold
hand; she felt like it contained a
death warrant or a reprieve, and she
must quickly determine which.
There was o beautiful grove near
the outskirts of town, whittier the
girls often resorted when the evening
wind had cooled the air, disipating
the sultry heat which rendered the
long days so oppressive. Leila soon
gained q seat under favorite tree
and this is what she read:
"Dear friend: IL am passing
through your town, en- rout for Mobile
with some prisoners will visit you
as promised on my return.
CLAUDE RAYMOND"
He then had not forgotten bis
promise to call should he pass through
her town.
"What shall I do? am almost
tempted to leave home-no, | will
write to him | do not wish to be
known, that prefer leaving ouI
meeting to chance, then l will form
his acquaintance as myself. and perhap:
when be knows Newell, may have
the courage to tell him that l an
Cecile."
Folding her letter. she hastened
home. feeling somewhat relieved in
mind, as she had formed some definite
plan.
CHAPTER Iv.