The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-05
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 1871

to be rid of me, father, if that tim
came. But I'm not one of thos
girls who are anxious about beiu.
married. In fact, l believe, if folk.
would only think it, they're general
ly better off single. You know how
| refused Squire Hassall. To b,
sure | could not abide the manr
"Your mother and l got on prett,
well together, l Think" said the par
son, smiling.
eyes, sir; but you are among the
exceptions" answered Henrietta
gravely. 'And you must own, dad.
dy, that you and mother are often
sorely puzzled to make all ends
meet. But l was especially think.
ing" she continued after pause,
''of poor Cousin Anne, whose hus-
band can't say Boz to goose. I'd
be ashamed to go about with such a
stupid man! 1t wouldn't be in INV
nature to put up with it,"
"My DEAR" said her father, laugh
ing, ''you must learn to bear and for
bear if you marry. But I'm sure |
don't wish to persuade you TO
marry"
"Henrietta Milechamp is a very
good name, father, and Eve no wish
whatever to change it. Grand
mother says I'm the most sensible
girl she knows"
"fm very glad to hear it, child;
and I'm sure neither your mother
nor want to part with our spoiled
little lass; now she's grown up
to be so sensible and helpful
By this time they had emerged
from the old road, and were trotting
along newer and more open one.
The heat, for it was now II O'Clock,
was intense; and ere very long the
parson pulled up under a clnmp of
trees which stood in bend of the
road.
Now it happened that in the field
before them, only separated from
this road by sunk fence, there was
a cricket match going on. Parson
Millechamp alighted from his horse,
and stood for some minutes by his
daughters side while they watched
the players. Both were evidently
connoisseurs, and entered at once
into the game while they chatted
gaily together. Two young men,
who had just had their innings,
were lying on the grass not far from
them; and while the travellers
watched the match, these young
men watched them.
The young men gave an approving
nod to each other, but gazed with
even more compIacency on the fair
maiden. on the pillion. Elite was
her fathers own child-like him in
the graceful figure, abundant dark
hair, and gray eyes, which softened
and frightened as she spoke. Her
rounded cheeks were flushed with
the heat, but very becomingly. She
wore blue pelisse, and wide hat
with ribbons of the same color
Altogether she made very pretty
picture.
'Let US go in and speak to them,
Tom" said the taller of the two; and
together they sauntered up.
"You take an interest in our game,
sir" said Oliver, while Tom bowed
to the young lady.
81 do, young sir" replied the par
son, "for l am cricketer myself.
But to say the truth, it was the heat,
not the game, which caused US to
stop for awhile
"Have you been rid ing far, sir?"
asked the one called Tom, coming
nearer and patting the horse.
mine miles, FRIEND" answered the
father.
"And six more to Co." chimed in
the daughter. "If the remainder of
the road is as open as the last mile,
we may get sunstroke before we
reach Powyscourt.''
"Powyscourt" repeated Oliver.
"1fyou are going thithcr, you should
take the first turn to the right, in.
stead of keeping the high road. You
will get into the lanes and save
good mile. Bur are you aware, sir,
that the earl is absent3"
"My business said the confding
parson, sis with her ladys1ip, who
has kindly offered to take my daugh
ter as companion. She will fur
ther trouble herself to have her in