The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-25

lurch.
1t was we'll and skillfully done,
but it had nearly proved too much
for me. The idea of out-generaling
Tom overpowered me, and dinner
was actually half over before l re-
covered my senses enough to follow
up the blow by making myself as
agreeable as I possibly could to my
new acquaintance. Presently, L
found Gertie' dark eyes fixed on us,
and moment after she leaned to-
ward me.
"Who is that lady, Mr.. Gadgrind?
She must have just arrived, for her
face is strange to me-"
"Miss Alcyona b.
20! Do yoy find her agreeable?
II think so. I hardly know yet;
but Tom is raving about her, and his
taste, you know is uldoubted."
"Ahw
She asked no more questions, but
1 was satisfied. I had started a
mine in Toms camp of which he
little dreamed, and could now go
back to the enjoyment of that uniul-
aginable sauce and Alcyona's con-
versation. Once on the scent, Ger
tie would turn no sooner than
th-hound; and as it was plain
she had vowed to have Tom in spite
of himself, she was likely to prove a
formidable check on my capricious
friends movements. Tom, however,
proved FESTIVE; and, like a great
many others, didn't appreciate the
arrangements made by his friends
for his benefit; and, as we all hap
pened to be very determined to have
our own way, we presently found
ourselves engaged in one of the most
singular three cornered games have
ever seen played on the checker
board of summer season; three.
cornered, because Alcyona chose to
remain neutral-or, rather, passive
which fact considerably heightened
the perplexity Of all; or, perhaps, I
should say of Gertie and Tom, for l
already felt pretty sure of my
ground. 1t was plain to my eyes
that Alcyona favored me decidedly.
/ am not vain man; but / flatter
myself know something of women,
and if ever there was a girl in love,
it was Alcyona B.. IA a.5a Is
| / was not surprised, for l could
scarcely tell how it could be other
wise; but unlike some men when
sure of their prize, / had no desire
to prolong her suspense. When a
,lfew words from me could relieve the
anxiety of an adorable girl, l should
have been worse than heather not
to have spoken them; and spoken
they would have been most assured
!. ly, could I have obtained a chance
But here Tom interfered, and, in
spite OF the way in which his time
was cut up by the Misses Elliott,
Tomlinson, Marcy, ETC., contrived to
haunt US like ghost; while Gertie,
who couldn't make out Alcyona, and
was desperately jealous of Tom, set
! up very inconvenient and demon,
strative friendship with her rival,
and absorbed her in a mild m@lstrom
Of condolences, walks and converse
tions on every subject that ever was
thought of.
} 1t was almost the death of me;
for I got up at such unconscionable
hours to waylay Alcyona, who was
an early riser, that l am convinced
it seriously impaired my health
J Unfortunately, my room was next tc
Toms, and I could scarcely get into
slippers before / would hear him
, jumping out of bed; and, hurry as
would, l never got beyond the libra
~ door, and a 'good morning, Miss
Alcyona," before Tom was down and
there beside me. Five minutes af
: ter, Gertie would saunter in, looking
:, innocent and unconscious, and ther
farewell to all hopes of tete a tete
| thought Of trying the post-oflice
but it's a deuced awkward thing TO
a fellow to tell girl that he know.
she loves him, and that he is willins
to have her, on paper. So, there VI
were, none Of us daring to stir with
p out the other. and nerfectlv inennar