The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-03-08

anu tle aIliSG uelV open VIC OOOI lOl
Lucette, who left the cottage, fully
satisfied with her mornings work.
Hagh Rutherford returned to his
unfinished picture, and lifting it from
the easel, he set it with its face to
the wall, saying:
"May God forgive you, Clarissa
Ireton, for this summers work! ]
set you up for an ideal-a being as
perfect, as mortal could be, but I find
you, in reality, woman, full of wo.
mans weakness. Will, it's lesson
most Of us have to learn some time,
and suppose the sooner it is here
and over, the BETTER concluded the
artist, bitterly.
"Clarissa, you look as if you had
buried all your friends. Really it
makes me nervous to watch YOU"
said Lucette Haywood, as she no.
ticed the cloud resting on the per-
fectly beautified face other cousin.
sThen don't watch me, Lncette,''
answered Clarissa.
''But | n't.help watching you.
What ails you, Clarissa?'
ooh, Lucette, | feel miserable
"Why, you silly girl, how can you
say SO? And Mr.. squires about tc
offer you his hand and fortuner'
Il cannot accept Mr.. Squircs; I dc
not love him"
"The love part of the business cal
be dispensed with, Clarissa. Pap,
says you must marry him."
"My uncle dare not force me int
such marriage!" Clarissa Wa.
standing now, her graceful figure
drawn to its full height. "But l viii
be a burden to him no longer. 70,
remember when George Harvey wa
here last winter, he said my vote,
would command a good position an,
time. He is acquainted with all TIL
musical leaders III town, and / kno,
he will be only too glad to do some
thing for my fathers daughter
"What nonsense! Papa would locl
you up in your room if he though
you contemplated such a step. Now
Clarissa, the whole trouble is, 20
have taken a fancy to that poor al
list, Rutherford, and, take my wor
for it, he cares nothing for yol
And if he did, what would it amour
. to- He will be too poor to MARI
for the next ten years, unless he get
a rich wife"
"Lucette, have never done any
thing my conscience didn't approx
Of; l cannot do it now.''
: And, verify, you shall recciy
your reward and Lucette laughe
derisively.
"You may laugh, Lucette, but
! believe those who persist in followiu
the dictates Of conscience are AWAY
rewarded
f That night Lucette moved anon
her guests with bitter disappoin
ment gnawing at her heart. She ha
received note from Mr.. Rutherfor,
r regretting his inability to attend, {
!, business called him away withol
q delay
81 wonder if what I told him abo,
| Clarissa had anything to do with h
going. am glad she has the sull
tonight. If she was here she woul
surely notice my disappointment
i, She keeps her room to escape Squire
But it won't do; papa will break h,
] obstinate will YETI" aud with tn
thought Lucette consoled herself.
''Halloo, Rutherford, old bp
Where have you kept yourself FOR Il
last century?"
> "Ah, George, my friend! I'm 81:
q to see YOU" And Hugh Rutherfo1
and George Harvey stood on Il
1 Common, and had a hearty shal
!, hands.
o "You are not looking we'll, Hug
Working hard, suppose? Well,
q the life Of me, / cannot tell why
man of your means does it,
g "oh, | like work. | hope NJ
9 Harvey is well?"
4 aQaite well. Come up and di
. with US this evening. We have
d charming addition to our family {
e, cle-a young lady whose face No,
:el make one Of your pictures faMo