The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-11-23

she should be everywhere, and as nearly
as possible at the same time. On every
occasion Philip seemed to discover new
beauties in her dear little face; first it
was her wide-OPen, childish eyes, so ike
a doves; then the long. dark lasbes,
curling up at the ends lake baby's; or
the peach-blOOm of the round cheeks, or
the moist, dewy lips, or the wavy tresses
of chestnut hair. Surely no little woman
had 50 many beauties. And always
Philip finished up his observations with
his first thought, She's perfect rose
bud of a girl no wonder the boys love
her. Why, could love her myself, if [
was little boy"
AS for Miss Maybe, the radiant Philip
was to her the realization of all the fairy
princes that she had ever read Of; and
long before she even expected it, every
one in the house down to Harry and
Victor, knew that she was over head and
ears in love with Philip Randall. Miss
Maybe herself was brought to a realizing
sense of her indiscretiOn in a very I'M
pleasant manner; for Mrs. Anderson,
seeing that her plans in regard to Annie
and Philip were going all crooked, lost
her head and twitteG the nursery gov
erness with being the cause.
An angry woman, without necessarily
being black-hearted wretch, will some
times say very harsh and cruel things to
her dependents; and although Mrs. An
derson was not at all a cruel woman, her
tongue lashed the little nursery gOverness
till every word seemed to tear the girls
sensitive spirit. Between her deep and
passionate sobs, she could find no word
to defend herseif-indeed she could
scarcely breathe; but stood a statue of
despair, with dropping figure and face
downcast, utterly overcome with shame
and modification, and yet thrilled to the
very tips of fingers with absurd, delicious
ioy, for in her passion Mrs. Anderson had
said that she was the cause why Philip
didn't propose to Anne. O, then he must
love her-couId it-could it be?
Mrs. Anderson did not observe that
her loud and angry tones had brought
two witnesses to the scene; and now
Philip came forward and put his arm
round Ellen Maybe, and drew her rosy,
tear-wet face against his breast.
&c Yes aunt" he said, "you are quite
right. love this little girl, and I an
going to marry her--if she will have me
So you usn'tscold her any more. Ellen,
darling, look up and tell me-wilI yor
be my wife?'
90, Philip" murmured Ellen, anc
! Philip was entirely satisfied.
"And, mamma, DEAR" said the seconc
spectator, coming forward, its no use
to scoId Philip on my account, for ever
if Miss Maybe were not in the way he
could not marry me. It's too late.
married Will Charleston lastinight."
40, Annie! screamed Mrs. Ander
son.
And you mustn't be very angry
mamma, now it's all over. We knew
YOU would never consent--and we WEI
equally determined to be married. s
OF course I wouldn't trust you with tn
disrespect of asking permission only t.
fly in the face of a refusal. Say you tor
give me, mamma"
ssYou are a wicked, headstrong girl
and hope you won't live to rePen
it. As for you, Miss Maybe, I beg you
+ pardon. Since Annie couldn't hav
Philip, I'm sure l don't care who has hin
Just as we'll you as any one. So tax
him, and be happy"
Thank you ma'am," said Mis-
Maybe.
The permission was not very gracious
p but Philips "little confdence-woman
was grateful for small fayors.