Louisiana capitolian., 1879-08-02

Then tho divine hopofulncss Of youth
and love asserted itself, land she replied;
Dr. Ray will go to New York and
speak to father, shortly after 80 back;
and when he sees Philip and knows how
we love each other, he cannot refuse to
make us happy
Tho following week my little girl
went back (she never called it going
home, twas simply going back She
came homc' in June, she used to sayD
and few days after Qr. Ray also left
for New York.
Then came heart-broken letter from
my darling. Her father had laughed ut
Philips love for her, ridiculcd his pov-
erty, and told him to make u fortune
before he aspired to Elaines hand. at
the close of the interview the Judge had
said:
Young man, don't let me hear from
you again on this subject for two years,
and see that you hold no comnunica-
ton with Elaine during that time.-
Then, if you two still think that you
love each other, and you have made
enough to support wife respectfully, l
will hear what you havo to say
With this they were obligc,l to bc con-
tent.
Then Philip Ray came I'd me. His
eyes glistened, and his hand was fever
ish. He was altogether unliEc his old
self. lIo was going away. lie couldn't
make money fast enough there, and
money he must have, or he could never
see his darling again. llo would go
West.
S'Tho next two summers were lonely
ones to me. Judge Foster would not
let my little girl come home. He said |
had deceived him, Perhaps had, but
did not mean to do SO. Elaine wrote
often. Sometimes the letters were very
hopelul; more often they were sad with
the WEAKNESS of deferred hope. Occa-
sioual mention was made of q certain
bikes Ramsey, gentleman whom her
father had taken into partnership. Mr..
Ramsey, she wrote, was very polite to
| her, but she did not fancy him. She did
not want to drive with him; she didn't
care to see his beautiful home. But her
father seemed to wish her to accept his
attentions, and then it would not last
so very long, for the two years were
nearly over.
September came, and with it wild,
piteous letter from my darling. She
had heard nothing from Pfilip. Per-
haps he was dead; certainly ho loved
her no longer, or he would come and
claim her. Her father had waited until
the two years were up, then told her it
was his will she should marry ono who
loved her, and not waste hes life sigh
ing over the unfaithfulncss of Que who
cared nothing for her. She sold me she
wrote Mr.. Ramsey q note begging him
to cease prosecuting her wits his atttn-
ton, but that he came next clay as smi-
ling and determined as ever,
Then she wrote again. She had ceased
to rebel against fate. The marriage had
been arranged for the third week in
December. All she had stipulated was
that | should come to her ana spend the
last week before tho wedding in her
fathers house.
went. Though tho poor girls face
lighted up with joy at scciig me, she
soon fell into u Istless, despondcnt way,
sadder to see than any tears Nrreproach-
es. Once l mentioned Philips name.
She started, as though She had been
stung.
DO not speak of him. she said wildly;
he does not love me--no enc doesn
Then more calmly, Forgive me, aun
tie dear, am not strong, think, and
and she subsidized into her usual down
cast state,
9 The evening before the day set for the
wedding, servant entered the room,
where wo were sitting, aud handed
Elaine caskCt. As she slowly opened
it, even gave d cry of surprise at the
sight of the rare jewels it was Ranseys
wish his wife should be adorned with.
She pushed them YEARLY aside.
Strange that any one shoald marry
} for such things was all she said.
) The next morning as, with my eyes
blinded with tears, / had finished fas-
tening the white veil over the still
: winter brow, attempted to clasp the
necklace of brilliants about tlcr neck.
} She pushed them aside with J flash of
her old spirit, and said bitterly:
Don't, Auntie. For an"tscr half
hour, at least, am my own rFopcrty.'
said no more, and we descended to
the parlors. ',
AS Judge Fosters eyes FILL on his
daughter, he said stcrnly:
where are the groom's jewels !"
Ordering them brought, be claspcd
them himself about his daughters neck
and arms. She submitted listlessly.
We entered theochurch. We had
taken places before tlle altar. The last
strains of the Wedding March had died
upon our ears. The brilliant assembly
was h,lshcd as the minister began to
speak.
Dikcs Ramsey's answer TWILL sound