The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-25
to me about the same there as

| d prOvOk11g smile. lie remembered nef
perfectly, though they had not met for SO
II do not wonder at that" L replied, 'for,
as she says, she has changed very little. He,
too, is much the same, outwardly."
| 81 never saw him when he and Nora were
youthful lovers" she said, in a tone that
vexed me; for it implied that they were quite
Was it possible that she was ignorant of
the relations existing between Nora and my
| l scrutinized her face narrowly, but there
| was no mischievous twinkle, no half-latent
merriment to indicate any purpose of vexing
me.
| Perhaps Nora had considered her engage
| ment with me sort of quasi understanding,
| such as young women frequently enter into
now-a-days-th is, q mental reservation on
her part that she would take me II she failed
| ing impression, this, to take possession Of @
| man who Is not without his little personal
| vanities too.
| I may have been over-modest in the begin
| ming Of this sketch in the comparison, or
rather the contrast, drawn between Bob and
| myself. | may have seen something less of
the world, but my fancy was match for his
any day. / was esteemed more than passably
good-looking, with due allowances for
friendly flattery.
consulted even by Bob on some matters rela-
ting to mis- effects, and I decided, with some
anger, that / was not a person to be trifled
with.
I rode home, however, in no very. good
humor with myself or the world, and feeling
still piqued, 1 did MT return to Mr.. Whit
fields until Thursday.
found that Bob had called again on We'd
nesday.
able an impression upon the men as he does
on all the ladies' what a famous parsonage he
would become" remarked, in speaking Of
him.
"If he would only take the trouble I am
sure he could replied Nora, with enthu
siasm. 81 don't see how any one can help
liking aEd him. dnnasr ,s in ,,,no him too nuoh
said Mrs Whitfield, dryly. "There Is false
glitter about all artificial virtues that is apt
to blind the unwary to the underlying, and,
consequently, less perspicuous claims OF real
worth. / could not, perhaps, select a more
amusing companion for Mr.. Whitfield and
myself than Robert Sacres. But, on the
other hand, could not shield you Or Alice
from more dangerous one, il your affections
were not otherwise engaged. Promises of
amendment are not to be trusted, for, as the
shrub is bent the tree Is apt to grow"
"Take it while it Is a shrub, and some
friendly hand might bind !! it back to its nor
has poSed bis sa esfos e.
become useful, as well as an ornamental
member of society and believe he has char
acter enough to do 1t.
The subject was here dropped; but | saw
that the mother looked displeased and l was
not surprised to find some additional reserve
in her manner when l again met Bob at her
house.
He was, however, singularly unconscious of
anything amiss, and continued to play the
agreeable with the most charming innocence
imaginable.
There was no use attempting to say any
thing after that. Whenever he came, which
his place at Nora's side, in spite of all our
manBuvres.
There was Alice Harrison, thought-cer-
tainly q much prettier, more snowy and
dashy sort of girl than Nora, with the pros
pect Of a fortune, too-why on earth couldn't
he talk to her sometimes, instead of leaving
her always for me.
She was the very sort of a woman / should
have selected for him, with the charm of q
foreign education and manners, which he
could so we'll appreciate.
presence he seemed to be at all conscious, con-
found him! At first had to endure 1t in ST.
lence, for she was one OF those women the
very boldest of men would scarcely dare to
tax with thought OF intidelity--a person
ly of the most unchanging opinions
shall never forget the look she gave me
when first ventured to hint that I believed
her feelings for me had undergone a change.
"You can bring about such change very
easily SIR If you desire it. she said drawing
herself up, and l was at her feet in the next
instant.
When managed to tell her that was jeal-
Gus Of Bob, she grew so angry in a moment
that never dared to breach the subject af-
forwards through all the tortures 1 endured.
The topic was dismissed after some time
with a very constrained laugh, and as after
wards remembered, on her part. But, as Bob
was not there, we had very long talk, which
n m fn f,Jlf lor oil
promise OF marrying me ere the summer was
ended, and she named the day.
If was happy the rest of that evening the
old disquiet returned the next time saw her
with Bob, He sat whispering to her for an
into her hand on leaving. followed him out
with the serious intention of attempting to
thrash him on our way home, but he had gal
loped ahead, and could not overtake him.
Mentioning the fact to Nora the next time
with anger, and declared that our understand
ing would be forever at an end on the very
next hint from me Of such suspicion.
After that my life was one Of torture,
despite the fact that our wedding day was
Loving Nora as did, could not believe in
her.
One evening we had been discussing our
number of attendants who would accompany
us, she told me, to my surprise, that Alice
Harrison would not go.
"Her uncle, Conway Harrison had brought
his daughter to Mr.. Whitfield's at the begin
ming of the season, with the promise from Mr..
Whitfield that Alice was never to leave his
house unless, under his protection, until his
own (Harrison'sl return from France, to
which he had gone for some months on urgent
business"
expressed some surprise at so positive an
Injunction, but as | saw that Nora grew re-
served, dropped the subject.
1t was just week before the evening ap-
pointed for my marriage that l walked
through the field after tea, and approaching
Mr.. Whitfields yard by side gate, came sud
denly upon two persons walking up and down
in the moonlight before the door Bob's voice
fell on my ear, and l had no need to pause
and see who the other was.
eyes, am sure We can manage to get off
best on the night before the day fixed for your
marriage with Wood I heard him say dis
tinctly. 'They will have that altogether in
their minds, and will think any little delay