Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-10

1
tensions this sl,e never dreamed. And
as Hampton heard her deprecatory word
and raised his false and coward]y eyes
he saw her standing with outstrctched
hands, repeating 'Don't, DON'T in the
| most beseeching tones, no realized thai
the heart of tho amazed girl could never
be his.
Fixing deep, searching gaze into his
| eyes, she asked, the tears springing to her
| eyes in spite of her efforts to suppress
them.
ooh lis it trueW
"Every word" he answered, brazehly
returning her imploring look with one
of injured and offended Innocence.
sob, James--Jamesw
These words found expression in low,
anguished tones. Wildly pressing her
hands upon her heart, she fell helpless
ly upon the floor in heavy swoqon'
Hampton hardly expected such dan
rerous issue as this to the malicious
Misrepresentation he had uttered, and
fearing that the consequences might be
fatal, no sprang out of the house yelling
loudly for help.
Besides the members of the household
q lady and gentleman fastened to rem
der assistance. The one busted herself
with the fainting girl while the other
made rapid strides for doctor.
Half an hour passed before he found
the object Of his search. At the end OF
that time he was surprised upon 1e-
entering the room with the doctog to see
Nellie c1inging to the 1ady's neck in
tight embrace, pouring out the story of
her sOrrOws.
"And, oh, dear friend, he's going to
leave me forever without coming to see
if have repented those giddy words.
Oh, James-my own noble James-will
he leave me thus ?" and sho began
to weep as if her young heart would
| break.
"Why, Nellie, Mr.. Richardson can't be
intending to leave" said the lady.
ooh, yes, Mr.. Willard, one of my
best friends, told me so not an hour ago.
He said he would start tomorrow"
At this point Mr.. Lester, who had re-
manned standing in the doorway trying
to comprehend the peculiar state Of
affairs, stepped forward and asked:
"Did understand you to say, Miss
Nellie, that James Richardson was to
take the steamer for Europe tomorrow"
ayes, sir" replied Nellie between hcl
sobs.
eff his departure concerns your hap.
piness SO vitality, | am happy to inform
Won that there is some mistake.
care you sure ~ she asked half in
credulously, though her face frightened
with u joyful oppression.
"Sure of course / am. James has
been lying upon u sick bed for more
than two weeks dangerously i'll, and al
this moment his noble life hangs upon 81
thread. Tho doctor here has attended
him all through it,"
eyes, Miss Nellie" said the venerable
old physician, "and l have just left
his bedside"
ooh! what could have been bis object
in deceivng me thusW exclai med Mel
lie.
"By whom have you been deceived p
asked Mr.. Lester, whose curiosity ant
sympathy were equally enlisted.
champion Willardw
''rhe oily tongued rascal" exclaimed
both gentlemen in a breath, and Mr.
Lester continued:
ole is at his scheming infalny again,
Miss Nellie, and must have intended
you as his victim. But thank God, you
arc safe and free"
ooh, Mr.. Lester, tell me, please al
once tell me all you know Of this grow
ing mystery, and tighten the burden
that is crushing this bleeding heart"
Nellie spoke imploringly, and suitina
the action the the word, her hands fel
upon her heart as if to shield it.
Mr.. Lester was no other than the gen
erous fisherman who had stopped james
in the mad purpose of drowning him
self. He was at one time in splendid
circumstances, but misfortune sweep
away all his earthly goods, and sickness
and death deprived him of his three old
est children, leaving him only one child
his sweet little five year old Charlie.
At the time he lost his property, .
ruinous crisis was prevailing over tht
country, carrying before its sweeping
winds the ruins of many Of the mos
substantial commercial establishments
that fell victims to its terrible crash.
Consequently hundreds of employee.
had been thrown out of situations. 50
when he sought work, all his effoFt'
were fruitless, and necessity forced lln
to the occupation of a fisherman.
And he did not consider 1t disgrace
but applied himself as zealously as HI
was engaged in his proud mercal| till
pursuits.
He was young man comparatively
and laborcd with the maxim as hi
guide that the man honors his business
and not the bushes tho man! !!
The latter sense is often the kcyilot,
to ill-success in life.
Nellie had been acquainted with tn
family ever since she was q child ant