Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1878-01-26

ing back the dark curtains, drew my
great armchair mp t. the window, tc
watch tie stars fade from the east. How
miserably slow the world seemed to turn
never knew but one night so long, be-
fore BUT all things must have All end
l sighed, as shifted my position, and
noted 4 little belt of gray spanning the
horizon. At last, the clouds grew COLDER
and rnddy, and making hasty toilet, l
walked quickly along the corridor, and
spnttiDg my ear to Nettie's door, listened
to the rustic ofturning leaves, and went
back with lighter heart, for I knew
that she was safe, and at her studies.
We met at breakfast, and Nettie look
ed brighter than ever, only there was Il
little wilduess about her eyes that did
not quite like. And when Nero came in
for his morning greeting, she laughed .
low, vacant laugh that made tho dog look
mp with wistfnl inquiry that seemed to
ask:
What ails You, Nettiei'
Breakfast over, she took up her book
and swinging her bat over her arm Went
to school. I thought it strange tha! the
flush on her cheek never changed, and, as
looked at her last work OF An untinish-
ed picture, saw on the dresser close by
a handkerchief powdered with dry car
mine. Then new the cause, and wept
for knew by my own bitter past how hel
young heart ached.
Weeks went by, but never saw he,
shed tear. Harry Floyd was never
named. She gre slighter, but her cheek
never paled and her eye was ever bright.
One cold, November evening, Fanny
Waymart was to give a grand ball. Net
tie and 1 were going, and I heard her
knock at my door before / was ready.
Come in, dear! How early .you are"
why: Maggie! not ready YETI How
long it takes you! Maggie, dear, try to
think am not your own Nettie, and tcll
me what you think
tcok q survey Of her crimson velvet
dress, and the "cid point" looped upon
the heav:ng bosom with half-hlown.
snowy rose; and then a he shining black
hair, drawn in a simple knot behind, and
wearing 4 sprig of white rose-buds. then
-cred her:
'Eet.is, think Sue Martin will wi-l.
you were closely ensconced in your own
r"o:n--or anywhere but in her presence
An. stately Agnes Stanus"re's dark brow
viii! grow still darker when she sees you.
l think, too, that our little brown-eyed
hostess will lr all in & httter at having
to present SO mary Of her gentlemen Wis
itors 10 Miss Gray
Much obliged, Maggie. That's the last
bracelet, int 1t. You look like my grand
mother, in that brown satin; and no one
will guess that you are only six years
older than am. and yet lack cne year of
being an old maid, for think that state
arrives with your twenty-ffth year.
NO i'lsinuations, my DEAR and taking
a final survey in the tall mirror, We went
down to the hall, where Cousin Jack and
Fred. Holton were waiting for us.
'Nettie looks splendid! l declare I'd
like to marry her, if l wasn't going to
matrimony with little Sue, whis-
pered Jack, as 1 took his arm and de-
scended to the spacious parlors of Colonel
preceded by Fred Holton and
Nettie Gray.
% Nettie. how beautiful YOU arer said
little Fannie, forgetinl Of the time pnd
occasion, as she tripped lightly toward
us, and kissed the arched lips of Nettie
I watched her eagerly, for l expected
some betrayal on her part. But she NOV
ed about like a very queen.
Harry Floyd propose a waltz; for which
compliment she thanked him haughtily,
and whirled away with Cousin Jack. l
laughed to see Harry bite his lips, and
offer his arm. with low bow, and no
word, to Agnes Stanmore. He looked an
cry and mortified; and I WAS glad Of it.
for hated hi1. more than ever, now that
he sought second time to firt with my
darling.
How Nettie fiirted that night! The
proudcst and wealthiest lowered near
her, leaving little Sue to pout and hauSh-
ty Agnes to frown at the scarcity of their
admirers. In the hall I saw Harry bend
over Agnes, as he wrapped her shawl
about her, and whisper something in her
ear that made her blush, as l had never
seen her before, and made the black eye
softer in its expression.
Three weeks later, therc was a we'd
ding at 'Stanmore Hail. and Agnes Stan
more was Agnes Floyd hencetorth Harry $
cheek raled to the hue Of death as he
g}anched at Nettie; for l was sure he
loved her; and looking at her, too, l saw
a naughty, threatening face, with a cheek
that never palcd.
knew the cause but did not marvel.
A year more had gore. Nettic was
I, L IL, nl si