St. Landry democrat., 1878-02-16

"He is very unkind to go and leave
4 me like that I do believe he is jealous
I because Harold;Watson paid me somuch
! attention last night" Her thoughts took
another direction, and the handsome face
I Of Harold Watson came before her eyes
How warmly he had pressed her hand in
the Lanciers" at the party the night
! before. He was going away, he had said
but hoped to return soon, for the little
town Of N had many attractions fo1
him. The tears were dried, as she
recalled the curious looks the girls had
cast when they saw her promenading
with the great catch, Harold Watson.
But soon poor Ed. the party, Harold
Watson, and all were forgotten in re-
freshing sleep. Yes, Marian slept; the
pretty head resting against the old pine,
her hands crossed on her lap, while the
shadows began to creep over the hills.
The wood music had ceased even the
| birds were still.
And there, as the SUMS last ray had
disappeared. Harold Watson stumbled
upon the sleeping Marian, A look of
exultation came over his features as he
saw who it was; look not pleasant to
see. He stopped down beside her and
took one of her little hands in his. He
longed to awake her with kiss, but did
not dare. He touched her gently on the
shoulder.
| She hal" po~od her eyes, and by some
strange fata j said softly, " Harold n'
Joy and triumph shone in every fea-
ture of the mans face, but he controlled
himself and said, "I am sorry t.
disturb You, Miss Marian, but tits grew
ing late, and I thought you would accept
of my escort home"
Marian, now fully awake, blushed at
the glances of admiration cast upon ner
! by those black eyes, as she related how,
being tired, she had fallen asleep.
So, laughing and talking they wended
their way through the wood. They were
nearly to the home of Marian, when
they met Ed, who explained that he had
seen Marian's Aunt who told him Marian
had gone into the forest and had not yet
returned, so he had come out to find her.
He said that he was glad to see she was
in good hands, bowed to them both. and
walked on.
Harold Watson thought within him.
self, ''The fellow is jealous" while
Marian had the same thought, modified,
she felt, with a little thrill of joy. How
nice it was to have somebody think of
her when she was not with them. Then
again, she felt some compunction when
she thought how he had looked.
But they had reached the gate, the
good>bye's we're to be said. and Mr.. Wat
son was to leave the next morning; and
with his dark eyes looking into hers she
thought she really was sorry to part from
him.
AS she slowly went up stairs to smooth
her hair she shed few tears; she did not
know exactly for what.
Down stairs in the cosy dining room
Aunt Mary sat waiting for her niece.
Eighteen years before her sister-in, law
had died, leaving for d substitute her
little daughter. Her husband soon fol-
lowed, and was laid beside her in the
little cemetery, where Aunt Mary often
took little Marian. Thus Marian had
known no other mother than her Aunt,
who was kind, yet..strict, New England
spinster-- believed in the old time
doctrines, and despised "new tangled"
ideas.
Marian was about eight years of age
when an event occurred which outlined
her path for the future.
Across the garden by which her home
was enclosed stood large vacant house,
which had been unoccupied for years,
Suddenly there came through the vii.
lage the rumor that it was to be taken by
strange family. They were coming
there to live and work the vast farm.
And for once Madame Gossip was right.
The family came, and the lights of the
great house shone out like beacon
smoke curled up from the chimneys, and
the garden showed signs of cultivation.
One bright morning as Marian took
her seat in the little village school she
glanced across the aisle timidlv and saw
a strange face and two black eyes looking
admiringly at her. And from that day
at recess she adored the young lad, who
was not slow in making her acquaint-
ance.
When he was old enough, had been
through college, and had seen little of
the world, she became his promised wife.
But " the course of true love does not
always run smooth" 1t did not in the
case of these two young peoples hearts,
who though trying to be true to each |
other, were not true to themselves.
Yes! there sat Aunt Mary, with her
grey hair banded neatly down, thinking
sadly of the time when she must part
with Marian. The day was not far dis
ant, only month, and Marian would /
,e bride.