The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-07-07

"Know it ?" she repeated in scorn.
I"No!-nor never will! And that is the
reason l have come to you so unex-
pectedly.".
The conversation was here put an end
to by the entrance of Captain Thurston.
"a letter for you, Mary. From Nor
ton, I fancy" he said, carelessy tossing
it into her Jap.
The quick blood rushed to Clara's face.
Even the name caused her heart to fut-
ster strangely; but neither of her friend
noticed her agitation both being en-
crossed in their missive.
ooh, dear!" sighed Mrs. Mary, half
unconsciously.
Clara and her husband looked up in
surprise. Her face was glowing joy
fully, albeit her eyes were full of tears.
"What's the matter ?" they asked in
| a breath.
cob, nothing much! !" she replied.
"Only Pm 50 glad. Clara, / never
knew that you were acquainted with my
half brother, Morton Levyllian."
Poor Clara! Her face, even to the
roots Of her hair, was scarlet; but she
made no reply, and her friend continued,
remorselessly: "He is coming to pay
us a visit, and we may expect}him every
moment"
ALI the color fed swiftly from Clara's
cheek.
"Now, don't be a goose !" whispered
Mary, softly. "Just read this"
So Clara read as follows:
Ny DEAR SIsTER.--I am sick of the
great metropolis sick of life, and sick
Of myself am fast becoming. in fact, a
misanthrope~~sick of everything So, to
improve this woeful condition of affairs,
shall start tonight for YOUR sweet, pretty
country home. For the last few
months I have made a fool of myself by
falling in love, and that is a very serious
business for a man of my peculiar tenn
permanent, [ can assure you. Did you,
during your visit here. ever know a Miss
Clara Vane? I was in France at the
time you remember. Well, we have
been indulging in what Dame Grundy
would call "a pleasant hirtation,' and,
for the first time in his life, your brother
confesses himself conquered. People say
she has no heart. That I don't believe.
It is utterly impossible so glorious a
woman should be minus that most femi-
nine a%ppendage. But, one thing GER
tain, she has no heart for me and that
has left me without heart for anything
else. please don't think this intended
for a pun--I am in anything but a pun
ming HUNGRY AS you know I am not in
the habit Of proclaiming my miseries,
and hate pity above all things, burn this
as Dol as read, keep all the information
contained herein to yourself, and don't
say woman to me while [ remain.
MORTON"
EveJas Clara read, a tall figure dark
ened the doorway.
ooh, Morton!" shouted his sister,
joyfullv, advancing with outstretched
hands.
After greeting the husband and wife,
the new conner glanced questionably over
at the silent lady standing in the shadow
of the room.
"Clara, here is my brother" said Mrs.
rrI~-,--:-oly. peIEeve, nUW-
ever, you are already acquainted with
one another"
Thus urged, Clara advarced.
Miss Vane!---and here !" said the
gentleman, in amazement. Then, c
ering himself: Excuse me, but this
meeting was so utterly unexpected, that
1"--And here his glance suddenly fell
upon the letter, which she stisH held.
"Mary gave it to me-" she stammered,
e~xplainingly, interpreting Alright his
mute astonished look.
lie smiled. Sore way, her embarrass-
ment put him very much more at ease.
"she did? Well, what do you think
of it s..
She looked around for assistance from
some quarter hut the husband and wife
had lett the room. So, very u~nwillingly,
she answered:
81 don't know"
You don't? Well," e~ndeavoring to
look into the eyes which SO peril
n%aciously sought the floor, fare you sorry
for me p" = ,
NO." very low ; and, the next mo-
ment, "icy Clary Vane" was clasped
close in a pair of manly arms, from which
she made not the slightest motion to ex-
tricate herself.