The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-04

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to show so much interest. l was en-
couraged. I watched her as she delib-
erately completed her toilet, by tying
the soft satin bow under her chin, ar
ranging the rich sable furs, drawing on
the delicate gloves, taking up the faint
ly perfumed handkerchief, and the
pretty muff, and saying, quietly:
Snow am ready
1t was impossible, thought, not to
love one so pure, so sorrowful, SO
sweet.
alt was very thoughtful in thee,"
she said, as we walked along-using
her pretty Quaker speech as she some
times did in confidential moments
"to screen me from comment and in
quiry by withholding my story from
thy friends. Sometimes, indeed, l feel
that I am leading myself to deception;
but dost thou not think it an innocent
one?n
Certainly" I replied. "I think it
perfectly justifiable under the circum-
stances"
"And yet 1 have thought that if it
were discovered it might lend an un-
pleasant seeming to our conduct. Dost
thou think there is danger?"
Scarcely" l replied. "At least the
probability is so remote, if it exists al
all, that it isn't worth while to discuss
it at present. BY and by we may, per-
haps, feel justified in ourselves making
the revelation. Father Time is deal
ing tenderly with you, think, Aurelia. ~
Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.
"Is it kind or cruel of him, she said,
"to steal the sting from our sorrows?
When can no longer nurse my grief
the last moments of my happiness will
have passed away"
"Ah!" 1 said, "the bitter fruits, like
the sweet, have their seasons of bloom,
maturity and decay. In place of your
asphodel will grow up spring violets
by-and-by."
She only sighed and shook her head.
We had reached the studio, and were
entering. At this moment my friend,
Mr.. Raymond, was engaged, so we
amused ouselves for a time with the
paintings. hung on the walls, the Lit.
tie sketches, half finished, which were
turned-their backs toward us-against
the ceiling, but which / knew pretty
well how to draw forth and exhibit in 8
proper light.
Yet while thus entertaining Aurelia
was not so much admiring the pictures
as studying, by side glances, the strange
lady with whom Mr.. Raymond was talk
ing. She was very striking person
there was that about her which
not only arrested but rivited my
attention. The influence by which my
eyes seemed perpetually to turn to her,
from whatever station | assumed, re.
minded me of the ancient arts of fas.
cination and witchery, and wondered
if she exerted the same power over Ray
mond, who was STOPPING over the chair
in which she sat to catch her murmureG
tones. Hardly Raymond was mar
of many experiences and much pene
tration.
Finally she rose, shook out her dain
ty fiounces with silken touch, all the
while that her full, expressive eyei
were turned upon Raymond, and, hav
ing given him her hand in a warm, i'm
pressive manner, that was full of art
sailed slowly down the room. As she
passed US, l noticed that her eye fel
upon Aurelia. There was quick, and
it seemed to me, malignant glance O.
recognition, slight and naughty stoof
of the proud form, and she passed OF
with an added touch of hauteur in hel
manner. l looked at Aurelia; her usu
ally pale face was overspread with {
flush, and her breath seemed to com,
and go between her parted lips in pant
like that of frightened deer. Mr.. Ray
mond was approaching, however, ant
touched her arm to recall her self
command.
The movement was effectual. Th
flush sabsided, leaving only fain
trace of rose in either cheek, which add
ed inexpressibly to her loveliness.
could see by Raymond's eye, as | intro
duced my friend, that he was strucl
with her appearance; and purposel,
engaged them in conversation, that the,
might gain some insight into each 9th
er's natures before we commenced
speaking of strictly artistic matters
Then | questioned Raymond about tn
sketches at which we had been looking
and thus it was, perhaps, fifteen min
utes before the chief purpose of ou
visit was broached, and by that tim
Aureia's composure was perfectly re
stored. Raymond led US at once to tn
center of the room, where, in the ful
light of the sky-window, stood an ease
covered with cloth. The covering wa
carefully drawn aside, and the mex
moment there was revealed to us simpl
the head of little girl of three years
1t was exquisite in outline and coloring
and the expression was ife-like
, thoughtful, serious, tender almost bt