Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1879-10-11
A SHOWER OF RAIN.

DO" CdIuc GuC Salu Ill IL
CHESS shower.
At one crossing a miniature lake had
formed several feet in length and
breadth, and three or four inches deep
Its shores on every side were mud-blaclS,
slippery mud.
people drenched, chilled, uncomfortable,
impatient to be home come to a dead
stop at this one crossing and hesitate,
with faces expressive of disgust and dis
may.
What chance had Ethel Thornton's
poor little weary feet, so small, so mis-
erably clad. in such q slough as this?
She glanced around desparingly.
And the next moment she found herself
lifted in Il pair of strong arms, carried
high and dry over the mud and mire,
and set down on the other side, while
the resciler, raising his dripping hat,
with pleasant bow and smile, passed
quickly on his way.
She stood where he had placed her as
if turned to stone, following his fast dis
appearing figure with her dark eyes; her
hands were clasped convulsively, the
color was flaming in her checks under
her wet black veil.
at was Frank" w. she gasped. at
was Frank himself, and he held Inc in his
arms and never knew me-"
| A quick sob burst from her lips. o
hard hard fate to meet thus-so close
| and part without u word!
Her lover her promised husband of
one year ago.
just then her foot struck against
something hard,
She stopped and picked it up-a large
pocketbook.
"Frank's" she said, quietly and hope
lessly: then she wiped it tendcrly with
her handkerchief, pressed it to her lips
and slppyd it into her bosom.
AS she did this, she threw her vcl
aside for the tears and rain together
nearly blinded her.
doubt if Frank would have recogniz
ed her, even if he had seen her tacc--l
was $50 worn and weary looking, ant
stained by the wet black veil.
! Not lltlcu TeSeElDlanCo thSio =" ga
pretty, piquant blooming girl whose low
he had sought SD eagerly year ago
not much in her appearance now to temp
amy man to WOO her.
So thought Mrs. Benton, the landiady
4 as she let her in, and stared aghast at II"
7 utt crly drenched condition.
Glad indeed was Ethel to reach tn
c ou;et of her own room-glal of the Gu
of tea her mother gave hcr-Slad to II
down and rest.
She CROPPED bindly to her lite DIES
l. and put the pocketbook away.
Tomorrow" she whispered to herse
~ This address will be inside-IN send
II back Tomorrow
Then sinking YEARLY Oh, the bed, 81
murmurcd:
"Mother feel so strangely. wish
" now-that l had taken--your au''c
aud stayed home, to-day"
III The words came family, i'll low III
Ii, ken gasps, from her parched lips
She lay there without speaking
III some time, and then artlculatcd:
81 failed again-no work-no nope
ar no"
Her ewes closed, her voice ceased
IS fell back, burning and shiverlng. l
ms poor child had contractcd serious
ness in that merciless shower OF ram
ar Meantime Frank Merriticld was
thematizing his ill luck in losing II val
f,r h1c pocketl,ook with bills, receipts, M
ey-all sorts of important hll1terS Ill
ain eft must have been when carl
:. that nirJ over the muddy crossing. Il
it the minute before, and h''sSe'
CHI shortly afterwards. Conto''nd my ~
otto folly! Why couldn't L MN"
OWN business and let her alone!
little thing, she looked wet and ms
lose bic, and something abont her so'he'
reminds me Of"
n'N He paused and leaned his heau
lear his hands in painful thought
4.Why can't ever forget her!
little fail, false heart, WAY cant
''N' her 90? Why does her sweet lace liz
lsed me eycrwhere-not bright and spark
as used to know it, but pale ana
nall nroachful looking! ReproachllS
;cb. All. Ethel, how much I loved you!
happy we might have been 'o-oaS'
you only been true !"
tx" He arose with an inpatient gest'f
'wn- of one who, by an effort OF Will puts
Jung regrets aside. ,.,u
Prof. Chow to recover the PooNo'''
, re- Thot,s the present question. There
< so money in it; the finder Is "eicoil,
5 my that; the bills and papers are W. ",
For want, and-her portrait 1es-',
so S. no use in deucying it to myself.
cool onourh 20 care for that. III a