Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-06-25


cried the child. ado not deny-your
Estelle. Does she not know youi
All, my poor heart, it tells me true!
Dear mama and l have almost
starved, but she has never pledged
her wedding Iing-never. She
plays the organ, l the tanibouriae.
We have suffered, but now papa
will return to rs. All, heaven!"
"My gracious. the morals of fur.
rinners. He'd have married mis-.
sus!7 cried the girl at the door.
"She tells one black lie. Never
before have ! seen her; belief me,
maiame!" screamed the poor
Frenchman. "Ah, mon Dieu, am ]
dreamingf"
ooh, Aiphonse!" cried the widow.
"Bnt there, | will he firm. My best
friends warned me of you. Take
your hat-go. Never enter my
presence again. Go with your IN
fortunate child-your poor, half.
starved little girl. Go home to
your deserted wife. Cor
"Ah, madame, zese is falsehoOd,r
cried the unfortunate Frenchman,
losing his temper in the excitement.
"Bpiiet-7
"Out of my hOuse!~ cried the wi.
dow. peggy. open the door. Go!
What an escape I have had!7
The Professor departed.
Mrs. Hunter threw herself into
her chair and burst into tears.
After awhile sire grew more calm,
and, taking letter from a drawer,
she perused it.
"Ah, me! what deceivers these
men are!" she said, rs she pcnsively
lay back on the cushions. "Only
10 think he could write a letter so
full of love, and prove such a vii
lain; but | am warned in time"
Aud she tore the letter into frag.
menfs.
The maiden aunt, who had not
heard n word, demanded an expla-
nation.
Biddy howled it through her ear
trumpet in these words.
"The scoundrel has ever so many
wives aud families already, playin'
tambOurines for their bread-the
rascai!7
And in the midst the door bell
rang, and Mr.. Bunting walked in
with a polite bow.
Biddy and tho aunt slipped out
of the room.
Mr.. Bunting approached the wild.
Ow.
81 called to apologize he said.
81 was hasty the other day. Had
known the gentleman was dear
to you, | should have restrained
my speech. l wish yon happiness;
l."
"Don't, please" cried the widow
"He's worse than you painted him
I've found him out; ! hate him. Al
for me, can never be happy again
Not with your own Buutingr
cried the bachelor, sitting down be
side her.
"rm afraid not" said the widow
"Are you sure!" asked Mr.. Blunt
ing.
mo, not quite,- said Mrs. Hunter
"Then marry me, my dear, ant
try it. DO, oh, dol"
Mrs. Hunter sobbed and consent
ed.
After having a white. colOred sill
made M and trimmed with rea
lace. il was too bad not to figure al
Il bride after all.
She married bachelor Bunting
aud was very happy.
1t was we'll, perhaps, that she hat
not the. fairy gift of the invisible
f cap, aud did not put it on aud fol
lbw Mr.. Bunting to a mysteriou
recess in the rear Of a theatre
whittier he took his way after part
ing from the widow OH the night o
his engagement.
There lie met n little girl, small bu
old looking, the same indeed wit
had claimed the Professor as he
r lost papa, and this is what he salt
to her:
"Iere is the money prOmise'
Won. my child, and you acted tn
/, thing pxcellently we'll. ! know tina
I by the effect you produced. Sh
believes that he is u married MAI
and he can't prove to the contrary
|, | knew you'd br able to act it on
!. when | saw you play the deserte'
, child in the tragedy"
Then 600 were counted out int
!; the little brown hand, and bachelo
= Bunting walked of triumphant.
To this day his wife does no
: know the truth. but aiiudes to poo
u innocent Prof. La Fontaine as tina
wicked Frenchman.