The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-03
MORE THAN HER MATCH.
The Reward Of Lovers Pesistency ind
Goodness.

faint WtIlu HHllIeu WIFI Tue iUBhSe. NIU
flowers Heekea the ground.
Here, In this sylvan retreat, sat Miss Bar
roD and she was very much out OF hu1nor, fol
every now and then she drove the poiI1t OF hen
parasol into the unotfending .nosses: sht
looked and was downright disgusted with
everything and ever body. The belle of three
seasons, during which she had escaped heart
whole, she was now ''caught," and all be-
cause Of three weeks soiourn at a country
villa.
To be sure, moonlight sitting through vines
over rustic porch, has something more in.
toxicating than the glare Of gas-iets; a wan,
dering, scented wind. just OF from the mead.
Uws, has rather finer appeal than air Initiated
by cut-tiowers. and gas; drives over grass
grown roads that are hedged with wild vines
and overhung with branches are just triAe
different In effect from the London parks il
landau or phmton; and that animal, man
who, lii town. Ii SO carefully dressed, is, In the
country, where one would suppose geological
specimens would thrive better, something
more than human, In tweed and felt hat. Al
any rate Madge had found 1t So
Madge had never been off her guard before
Hitherto she had visited fashionable watering.
places but this year she had come to quietel
place, and had met Lyndhurst harrington
She did not yet know, however. she was in
She only knew she was cross and lonesome;
and 50 she sat punching the little blossoms
and pouting She thought harrington ex-
eeedingly eompaniunable, aud that the other
better than wooden men. AS for downright,
earnest love- why, her intentions for three
years had been never to venture her heart at
sen, but only to glide about the shore. flirting,
safe to disetnbark at any time. Yet she was
now thinking o Lyndhurst harrington in q
way many would have termed love. But she
would not admit this to. herself. He was q
delightful summer friend, that was all, she
Eaid. She liked summer, and flowers, and
birds, and hazy atmospheres, and q quiet fir
tation. but when these went the coming season
brought new enjoyments and fresh frtations,
and Darlington could go with them. Were
nyson aud sing tenor But now, just this
moment, 1t was rather lonesome. Ii he only
would come!
He had gone to town the morning previous,
promising to return In the evening. She had
walked with him through this wood path. on
moment ct the stile beyond to tell her how
beautiful she looked-how the fresh morning
air had frightened the color on her checks.
Come this evening as far as here t, meet
be horrid labyrinth without YOU
"You will surely return r. she had asked.
IT you don't shall find every tree a hobgob-
lin when 60 back alone"
Return, indeedl | shall think of nothing
else. / shall do nothing all day but pull out
my watch to SEQ II 1t is time for the train
Then he caught her hand In quick way.
thought a moment, bounded over the stile and
back at the pretty picture she made lstlessly
leaning on the stile with tinge OF regret in
her face. At turn when she would soon be
hid from sight, he had dared to wave her u
kiss
Madge was now waiting, according to ap-
pDintment, and she had taken care to concoct
a most ravishing toilet.
But all her little preparations were wasted.
Lyndhurst harrington did not come. Still she
waited. 1t seemed SO unreasonable so cruel.
to diEappoint her. Perhaps he was only try
Ing 10 tease her, had got out unseen and
would surprise her directly by biz anpear-
.ance
A doleful sough Of wind coming rro5zs she
dark rscesses of the wood. and sudden szsssf-
ting down of night made Miss Barron fglt
something like fear, and she started nervously
to return. AS 1t grew darker her dread be-
came terror: she fanced strange noises were
about; her feet scarcely touched the ground ,
she skinned on, huttering at heart like some
low-hying bird beated from its nest.
What wonder that she vowed that night, as
she brushed out her hair, never to forgive Mr.
Barrington2 What wonder that q harmless
little bunch OF violets, which he had gathered
for her the day previous, and which she had
treasured In d vase on her dressing case. she
now found faded disagreeable and odorless
and that she tossed them pettishly out into
the darkness from her Window
detest him and his violets,'' she cried.
HE may stop in town till doomsday for aught
care"
+
the morning with a little dull weight on her
feelings Perhaps" she thought, che will
not come even to-day"
As she dressed for breakfast he was con-
stantly In her mind.
perhaps he did 1t on purpose" she said
Perhaps he didn't. but lost the train. But he
had no business to lose the train" she added
GROSSLY. Perhaps, he was Ill perhaps some
don't care" she said, ''He shall see see am an,
happy enough, and not even piqued, when he
comes"
Still, as the day wore on, Madge found the
ladies OF the company provoking and the gen.
tleinen more embarrassing than ever Mechan-
ically, toward evening, she donned the same
toilet III on the night previous. and took cir
cuitous route through the garden, that none
might be cognizant Of her movements.
Emerging out Of sight, she struck straight
listening for the roar of the train, notwith-
standing all her angry vows of the night be-
fore.
to herself, "and that will be disappointment
to him.
She was somewhat unsettled however, for
fear she might be in just the same prediea-
ment as on the preceding evening and have to
return through the gloomy wood alone. She
had seyen-eghths Of mind to go back, even
yet But she remained, after all
AT last, with sudden screech. the engine
came steaming along Miss Barron began
10 trace figures on The ground with her para
sol, and put on most expectant air. her fea-
lures sinking into repose and unconcern
benign enough tobetit saint.
She saw Lyndhurst harrington descend
from the train and come striding on joyously
till he came in sight of the stle; for though
hidden herself, she could observe all his
movements.
He, came on eagerly. looking to the right
and left for her, and almost stumbled over
Miss Barron.
Oh, Madge" he cried, as he threw himself
at her feet, you did forgive me, and have
come TO meet mer'
Forgive you, Mr., Barrington2" Nothing
could be more Icy cold. pray. what has been
your fault2" She looked, as she spoxe
straight before her. but with an air Of sur.
prise which was exceedingly well counter
feited.
He looked up eagerly into her face as he
answered, "Why, l was buttonholed to death
In town yesterday. 1t seemed as ii con-
spiracy had been entered into and that every
fellow knew had lett his summer haunt to
go up to town to detain me. | transacted but