The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-29

She draws q breath Of relief, and begins +
SY~u were following me-" Those were he
first words as she withdraws her hand from
his arm.
II was" he answered doggedly, "and in
tend to follow you to protect you from insult
as would sister II had one; It is no us
is to say, I am as obstinate as pig, or mule
| or a woman"
She looks at him frowningly, then her fac
softens In spite Of her.
LET us turn back q moment" she says.
| They walked slowly along the broad ter
race which lies between the church and thu
square. The rain has ceased suddenly, and
water moon Is climbing through dark banks
OF cloud. Midway on the terrace Primros,
pauseS, with one hand on the balustrade
looking down into the square gardens wher,
the vet leaves glisten In the moonlight, ant
| the trimming basins Of the fountains are
touched with trem0lous luster. The moist
| earth sends up sweet, fresh smell, the all
breathes cool In their faces like a breeze from
'.the innocent plains OF Paradise" The muir
muir and stir OF Paris Ia all around and about
them, but this spot Is an oasis OF silence and
why should you take SO much trouble
voice. II am not your sister; am nothing
| to you-or any one"
There Is something forlorn In her tone that
goes straight to his heart and strikes chord
| of tender pity. In sudden impulse-one Of
those blind impulses which hurry men into
deeds Of madness and heroism-h takes hel
hand and whispers:
"You are something to me; you may be
everything II you will. love you"
She looks at him moment incredulously,
then snatches her hand away.
"How dare you" she, pants, show dare you
insult me! You, too, whom fancied-" Her
voice breaks suddenly.
Mon annie, you do not understand" says
insult. want you to be my WIFE"
Your wife, Are you mocking me-" She
earnest. Your wife, She pauses a mo-
ment, then bursts into ringing laugh, which
jars upon him somehow.
"A Ia bonnie heure. Monsieur Andre Ia that
courtship a Ia mode de Breta0ne? Why, you
have only seen me twice; you do not even
know my manner"
II shall know it soon, hope. You have
told me your history already-such apiteous
met mine. II had known you years could
not love you better than l do. We are both
alone In the world--we might be 50 happy to-
gether! Weshould be poor, but what is pov-.
loving7 And sooner or later shall win fame
and success, / know. Dites-donc. why should
you refuse meY
He takes the hand that hangs at her side,
and bends to lock into her face.
The pressure Of his fingers sends swift
blush to the roots Of her hair. An indescriba-
bic look crosses her face. 1t Is not Joy, or
shame, or fear, or wonder, yet all those emo
lions are expressed In 1t.
haSty, passionate movement, s"No, not 10
impossible. Don't tempt mel"
She turns from him abruptly and walks
away toward the Rue de Londres. In G. mo-
ment he Is at ner side.
"Then it Dies tempt your" he exclaIms with
. smile Of hope and triumph. after that adj
mission / will never leave you till you con-
sent. / don't ask you to marry me imme-
diately, only give me the opportunity Of win
ming your heart. Let us meet for time as
"Would that content your" she asks, stop
ping suddenly. "And suppose-suppose I
have fancy not to tell you my name just at
present, or anything more than you know al
ready, will you promise not to follow me, or
watch me, or question me?"
His face clouds, and for moment he heSi-
tates.
Il would rather you trusted me, but-well.
| agree But you will not keep me long in
She looks down at her foot, idly tracing
pattern on the gravel.
Il will tell youth three weeks" she says
slowly; ION the first of May"
He glances around; the terrace Is quite de-
Seal the compact, sweet one," he whispers,
bending his face to hers.
She looks at him a moment doubtfully,
wistfully, and her eyes are troubled. Then
she bends forward and kisses his dark cheek.
He kisses hers, and 50, for good or ILL, the
compact is made.
April, with its short-lived smiles and soon
dried tears, has worn itself away. 1t Is
golden, radiant, cloudless day-May's first
born. The warm wind blows from "the gates
OF the sum-" the blue sky is as tranquil as an
infants eyes.
On this bright Sunday, Paris Is turned in
side out. Not a creature remains in town who
can by any possibility get into the country.
On foot, In carriages. by rail, by river, all
Paris PUSHES out Of its shell, eager to breathe
the sweetness Of the woods and fields.
The very river seems In hurry to escape,
as it goes whirling under the bridges and past
the dusty quays; but when it has left the city
behind, 1t loiters like the LATEST Of rivers,
winding and meandering, and now and then
widening out into a sleepy pool, as If it had
resolved to go no further to-day.
It's waters are not yet troubled by the busy
"Bateaux- Mouches," but many little rowing
boats are dropping down stream to Meudon,
st. Cloud and Suresnes, and among them is
one containing Primrose and Andre.
They are passing the wooded slopes Of Bas
She Leans back In the stern one
the water. The artist watches her as he rows,
thinking that she grows prettier every time
they meet--and they have met many times
since that showery evening when their COM
pact was made and sealed.
"How you look at mel" said Primrose pres
emily. do you like my toilet? Am CHEZ"
"You are adorable"
She wears fresh batiste costume worthy
Of M. Worth, in its cunning and simplicity
and quaint little rough straw hat trimmed
with spring flowers. She looks like the spirit
OF spring herself, as the soft breeze kisses her
cheeks to wild-rose bloom, and ruff1es the
wavy hair on her forehead.
Primrose, do you know what day this Is ?"
he asks. resting on his oars moment.
Sunday"
eyes, but the date 1t is the first of May"
She starts and bends lower over the boat
side.
"Well ?" she rejoins, without looking at
him.
Have you forgotten what you promised
have kept my part Of the agreement faith
fully, and now you will keep yours
She looks down at the bright water, rip
ping through her fingers.
why cannot we go on as we are little