St. Landry democrat., 1878-02-09

1~~A~A-AA~$~~N No
ers; you, who might lead the fashion
here, Duncan Holeroft's wife,
But even Fry Corners was preferable
to Georgina, to the prospect of leading
the fashion.
She shivered at the thought, shy little
country flower, vsand accepted her aunts
ungracious dismissal.
It even seemed az if she threw Of a
burden when she stepped from her luxu-
rious carriage at the station.
Mrs. Cassowin, slightly remorseful,
was at the last moment willing to revoke
her decree of Punishment, but Georgina
would not see thu flag of truce, only half
unfolded, and went to Fry Corners.
It was not fascinating abode, small
farm, managed by miserly old man
and one maid servant of seventy or
thereabouts, whose life was a burden be-
cause old Mr.. Gilroy had failed 60 make
her his wife, after accepting her atten-
tions for a matter of thirty or forty
years.
GeoIgina had the free, open country,
perfect liberty to go as she pleased, and
the command OF her own income.
But she was not happy.
"I do believe I am naturally of dis
contented disposition" she thought, as
she wandered up shady lane. 'I've got
all want, country home, old woman
to help, and children to be kind to. I
can play Lady Bountiful to half Fry
Corners On small scale. have miles
of good, useful sewing, plenty of books,
my own piano, nobody to scold me, no
fnery to worry over, and yet-I-I won
der ii Duncan Holcroft cares because |
have gomez"
What made that question leap to her
mind hundred times a day?
She had refused him, put him out OF
her life, and yet she thought of his courtly
manner, his grave, gentle kindness, his
real conversation, so different from the
society small talk that wearied and puz.
sled her.
Did he miss her?
She felt herself such an atom in his
circle of friends, go lowly and little, COM
pared to bellies tuttering ever in view,
50 ignorant and Insignificant, that she
could only wonder when she remem bered
the honor he had paid her.
Spring flowers faded, summer blooms
died, autumn fruits were gathered in,
winter SHOWS melted.
Il was May again, and Georgina had
been one year at Fry Corners.
The old farmer had failed in that year,
and very tenderly and pitifully his
grandchild nursed him.
And, wearying for an interest in life,
Georgina gave time, strength, aud an
unfailing patience to the querulous in.
valid, never faltering in her self-imposed
duties.
lie died in May, blessing her with his
last breath, and after the funeral, Janet,
the old servant, produced a will giving
her the farm and the savings of years of
grinding economy.
Georgina had known Of this, and had
demonstrated when Mr.. Gilroy would
have made another will.
II have more than I spend" she
said "and Janet has served you faith
fully"
But once more homeless, she joined a
party of Mrs. Cassowin' 8 friends and went
abroad.
Here was surely interest, variety, but
never ease for the old heart.hunger.
What would fill her life, round it to its
full perfection
Love was offered more than once, but
met no return, and she sighed heavily
over her own hard heart.
In Rome, where the party fingered
many weeks, Georgina lived q new life
of delight il seeing what she had imag.
ined in hours of reading, what her fathe,
had often described to her, having visited
the Eternal City as tutor in his young
days.
But in Rome, one of the party, loung.
ing in lazily to the general sitting>room
of the wide house where they all lodged,
said, half yawning:
Holcroft is here, down with the ma.
lariap
"Where ?" some one asked indifer.
emily.
"At the hotel where we stopped the
first week we were here. He's going to
die they say"
"Die ? Duncan Holcroft 2"
Georgina groped her way dizzily un.
perceived to the balcony.
Gould the wide world hold so much
misery as pressed her down.
Light lightning fash she read the
cause of all her restless craving since she
had lett London.
She loved Duncan Ho'crott, king
amongst men. She had walked away
from her own paradise, closing the door,
and Duncan Holcroft would die, and
never knew she had loved him.
AZ the hotel where they had stopped
Why it was close beside them.