The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-05-27

how, it did not seem an easy thing t
DO.
A well-itting white dress set off
round bnt not too tapering waist
there was Il heavy braid Of yellow
brow hair a dropping curl IL kno
of ribbon here, a fall of lace there :;
flower pulled carelcssly through Il soft
colored tie at the white throat. !
combination he scarcely understood
yet harmonious on the extreme.
She was stately, yet there was
certain prettincss about her all he
own. She seemed both gentle an,
strong, and before he was aware Of it
she had entered q door in his hear
and shot the bolt rs securely ~ slit
had fastened tho door of her room
that night. A recess, too, it was
that he had never known before.
He was not very Young. this MAJ
Of whom | am writing. He had no
been without his hirtations-his loves
perhaps. But this girls soft vote.
and manner touched q chord in hi.
heart which. had never vibratcd be-
fore. lie did not pause to ask why
tic had been u generous man, be
cause he dispensed his charities Will
lavish hand. lie was very tender an,
kind to those he loved, always best Of
all to himself.
If he flncied house, 4 yacht, ;
horse, he purchased it at once. II,
never sold his present moment fol-
the future never longcd for Il tim.
to come when he sllould be happier
bat always sraspc'l the present pleas
IRE, preterring it to promises Of future
joy.
So, when he met Miss North, he
said, at first, "She's very lovely
and by-and-by when he had watched.
her more closely, he told himself tina,
in all his travels he had never before
met a woman that in his heart OF
hearts he l"nSed to call his own. That
night when the stars were ont, and
the moon was shining, they were all
sitting upon the lawn. First one and
then another, under various excuses,
passed into the house. Miss Tlorne
went in to play, aud Mr. Thornc and
Ida still stood upon the lawn, listen.
ing.
The words of 4 song floatcd softly
ont, aud they seemed to stir his mind
with sudden purpose.
Many girl have loved for a minute,
Many u beautiful face have seen;
Ever and aye there was something in it,
Something which could not be hers. my
queen.
He scanned her critically. There
was not a feature or expression in her
face lie would change had he the
power. There was more restless
ness in her eyes, tonight, and she
looked palcr than she had done in
the day. Perhaps her heart was
touched also, but no matter. lie was
sure she did not dislike him, and he
could win her love in time. And then,
without waiting further, he asked her
to he his wife.
When Miss Ada North had closed
the door to the outside world, she
went to the window and, throwing
open the shutters, she kuc!t down in
tic moonlight. Tearing a crumplcd
letter from her pocket, she smootllcd
it almost fiercely, and read its mean.
ing again, by the light of the moon.
There was il wild rcstlcssncss about
her, her band tremblcd, and her red
lips were firmly set. 1t was written
by q mans hand, this letter; her
heart had often thvobbed for joy at
the sight Of this same writing, but
now it only brought a feeling vi cold
distust and dislike.
She rose, closed the shutters and
lit the lamp, and, taking a package of
letters from her trunk, she sat down
and read them slowly, one by one.
They were all in this same hand.
and all breathing of love and
devotion to herself. Her task was
not half accomplished when she heard
quick footsteps in the space of a
breath.
She rose hastily and unlocked the
door. Mary Thorne entered, uttered
an exclamation as she saw the letters
about the table.
"W!at is it, Ada dear! J" she said.
"Thcre was one secret which 1 al
ways guarded from you, Mary" Ada
replied, quietly. "Sit down. l will
tell you I'LL to night, for tomorrow |
shall put it all aside"
"Don't tell me unless you feel in
clined, Ada" her friend said, gently.
"But must tell YOU" she ex
claimed, impetuously. "You knew /
received letters from John Eastern;
but, as he was the son Of my guardi.
M, you were never sure whether they
we're upon business, friendship, OF
love. For two years l was engaged
to be his wife. We kept it secret,
for it was his wish. Three days ago
this last letter came, saying he was
mistaken in thinking he loved me,
aud asking me to release him from
bis promise. ! have not yet answer.
ed him. Not that l hesitatcd for a
but l could not bling my.
self to write him yet.
"Nhy should you allow this to
trouble you?" asked Mary. ~, for
one, am heartily glad; for, though
my acquaintance with Mr.. Eastern is
very slight, l have always dis|iked
him and then-"
"And then," interrupted Ada, with
a smile, II know what you would say,
dear. And the tale is not half told.
Your brother asked me this evening
to he his wife,"
The words were uttered quietly,
but the effect upon her listener was
electric.
Che snrann nm nvnrfnrnell her