The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-05-12

"Glad to see you, old boy; but I'm
too dirty to come in said be. "seen
Lizzie"
mot yet"
"Seen Rachel ~
mot yet. But say, old man. would
you mind telling me how many more
sisters you've got?'
mo more,' said Don with q grin.
''Shes the last one. aud she's the best OF
them oil"
"Then | hope ] may be allowed for
once to enjoy the society Of one Of Liz
zie's sisters in friendly way" grumb-
lingly responded (for may as well nd
nit that Don and ] had had cnnfidenees
Of old on this subjeetl. Don't you
think you could give Lizzie notion
that don i mean to get married, or that
I've sweetheart up the country or
something Of that sort p
mot /" reioined my brother. laugh
ing, I'm not going to spoil her fun.
poor little SOU. you're old enough to
take care Of yourself" And with that
he went off whistling cheerfully to his
dressing room.
When ] had completed my toilet. /
gathered up some boxes Of choice cigars
that had been purchasing In town, and
carried them to the door Of the adioln-
ing apartment. which had been Don's
smoking room ever since had known
it, TO my surprise. the bolt shot sharp
ly rs touched the handle. and heard
q rustic Of drapery inside. A house
maid coming along with lamps for the
dinner table called out hastily: 80, sir,
that is Miss Raohefs room now. The
smoking room is at the end OF the
veranda, where Miss Garry slept last
year. Mrs. Gardiner wished it to be
changed, because she didn't like the
smell Of tobacco 80 near her bed
rooms
took back my boxes. thinking no
more about it, and went on to the draw
| ing room. which was full OF light and
where found two OF my little nieces
sitting demurely on sofa in their best
| frocks. ready to rush into my arms.
Lizzie came hurrying in after me, rosy
and radiant. and with plenty OF floun-
| cos and colora about her. and gave me
her own enthusiastic welconie and
then Don, spruce and perfumed, Joined
us. Don In his early years had been
dandy, and q little youthful weakness
remained lit hitn still. He never eame
to dinner without rings on his fingers
and subtle odors In his clothes. and he
was at great pains TO keep q pair Of
iusted on each side OF q closely shavep
chin. He had been ten years in the
fbush," and had never objected to
''rougbing it" In q general way
but he persisted In shaving himself
every morning. let what would happen
which singular habit in m Australian
country gentleman very much puzzled
his bearded friends. /, for one, used to
quiz him as we'll as knew how when /
saw him swathe his neck in handker-
chief before going out to his work IL the
sun shone too strongly: but / respect
his little vanities nowadays, and hope
he will keep his white throat and his
Dundreary whiskers as long as he lives.
bless him. He took one of his little
girls on his knee and questioned me
about my station matters and about
Conolly's sheep wash. (which was not
SO we'll furnished with improvements as
his own, much to his satisfaction), and
Lizzie gave me an account OF the devel- |
opmeDt OF her respective children since
had seen them last. including the out
ting Of the baby'a teeth, and then the
dinner bell rang.
where's Rachel p inquired Don.
] turned o languid eye upon the door
when we heard the sound Of distant
rustic. expecting to see one OF the smart |
and smiling damsels ] was 30 used to, |
and wondering whether this one would |
be dark or fair. With slow and quiet |
step she came along the hall and en-
tered the room, and my heart began
to beat in very unpleasant
manner. She had a delicate, thought
full, but piquant face. wavy brown hair
mddestly and becomingly set, and a
slight figure daintily dressed in pale
blue silk, with little white lace about
the throat and arms. and yet she was
the image of Marie Antoinette In Della
roche's picture, only with more ma
iestic dignity Of carriage. If that could
be. and more calm disdain upon her
face. As soon as saw her and felt the
exceedingly faint acknowledgements
she vouchsafed when we were formally |
intuitively guessed-with
q horrible sense Of shame and NORTH
cation-that she had overheard what !
said to Don in my bedroom through
those ard-paper wallsl
never thought should feel 80 con-
cerned at standing i'll with one OF Liz
zies sisters rs ] felt before that evening
came to an end. All through dinner / |
saw, without looking, offended dignity
In the poise Of her head and the studied
repose OF her manner. and heard the
ring Of it In the very infection Of her
voice, though it WAS so subtle and deli
cate that only guilty conscience could
detect it. 1t was great deal worse In
the evening. when Lizzie began her
fussy little contrivances for throwing us
together. The poor little woman never
had 80 impracticable and aggravating a
sister to manage: and never met one
who attempted to treat me with such
open indifference and thinly-veiled con-
tempt. 1t Is unnecessary for me to state
the consequences. | began to interest
myself in this Miss Lindsay rs l had
never interested myself In the others. /
began to banker for her good opinion.
as / had never hankered for theirs. ] I
longed to set myself straight with her,
for thoughtless insult that / would
have given worlds to recall. and to feel
that the way was open between US to
meet and associate as friends This
longing grew apace as the evening wore
on, but the prospect Of It's qualification
urn nd 1nau littl |