The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-05-10

was not surprised. MIR. Roby had ap
J piled to him to sanction his contemplated
II proposal to Minnie; and as mir. Arm
thought him worthy, talented young
man, he told him that eff Minnie con.
scented, he would"
"Don't be troubled, my daugh ter,
i said MIR. Arim, when she had concluded.
cit would be strange if we could not
devise SOME means by which to ascertain
what this young lawyer is in love with. +"
He then unfolded his plan, and when
they parted Minnie's face had assumed
| something of its old look of careless
gayety.
4 The first week of Walter Roby's 'ban-
ishment" (ashe told herhe should call it,
had not passed, whenit was rumored that
Minnie Arlin had entered the shop of
Mrs. Rand, the milliner, as an appren-
tiee, and that when questioned she had
replied, "She did not wish to be bur.
den upon her father in his present cir
cumstances" There came also flying
reports of loss of property, which seemed
in accordance with Minnie's conduct !;
and many people began TO believe that
MIR. Arlin wsuld be obliged to dispose of
his handsome mansion and fine farm |
Minnie continued her daily tasks at the
milliner's shop until two wesks had
nearly expired. Two days before the
time had expired she dispatched to her
lover the following note:
"MR. ROXY If you still entertain the
sentiments you protested at our last in
terview, will give you my reply this
evening. MINNIE ARLIN."
Walter had heard tine rumors, and en-
deayored to ascertain the truth. He
tren1bled lest they were true, for he felt
that he could not make Minnie Arlin, il
poor, his bride. He wss quite undecided
what 10 do when ne received Minnie's |
note; but he Immediately sailed forth,
determined, if possible, to satisfy himself
as to the truth of the rumnr. Stepping
into the house of a physician with whom
he wss on terms of intimacy, he said AZ
ter few moments conversation:
"What is it, doctor, about this affair
of Mr. Arlin? Is he really sso reduced
that Minnieiis obliged to become shop
giri7" 1,
2" Well, replied his friend, 81 thought L
at first there must be some mistake, but
! heard the old gentleman say this morn
ing, when some one spoke Of Minnie be
ing go industrious, that Minnie Arlin
would not see her father reduced to pov-
erty and not make some effort to assist
him. So j presume there is some foun-
dation for the reports. But, my dear
feliow, Minnie is s noble girl, without
her property-although she has not 80 4
pretty a face as some Young women" III
"Oh," replied Roby, ,carelessly, "I|Il
hope you don't think I'm committed /,
there. 1lhave been somewhat friendly
with Minnie, it is true; but nothing h
serious, j assure you. No trouble about l.,
the heart" and he laughed =" though, ? /.
added he, 81 should regret exceedingly II
to have them meet with regerses."
he soon after took his leave, and
returning to his Office seated himself at h
his Writing desk, and wrote, sealed and
dis atched the following note: Ia
'tAYlDBARi MISS ARLIE: During the time Ii
that has elapsed since i saw you last my8l
feelings have become somewhat changed
or rather have analysed them more closely 4
: -anu liesr we can never be happy together.
see now that was somewhat premature in
my proposal, though Il still entertain the =
warmest feelings OF regard and friendship
Tor You. Eour cool reply to my proposal led 4 !,
me 10 suppose that ly0ur FEELINGS were mot
Y ~ much interested In myself--and per n
baps it were best for both that the affair ,
should terminate here.
''lremain, most respectfully y0Hr oobedi-
WAATRR Rory" iIl
Minnie shed tears when she received 1
this cool eepistie, lfor she had hoped, as
naidens sometimes do, that her lover I,
might fbe tried in the balance and not III
found wanting" But, brushing theIl
teams away, she went to her father andi
handed him the note, saying: ia
Sab, father, you've lost the handsome, 1
accomplished yonngllawyer for a son-in- 4
law. lie doesn't think yonr homely
poer Minnieeean make him happy"
Leaving the room, abe ceaught up her *
straw hat and went out to lramble in the Ii
woods to q iayorite haunt, hoping the
sweet infnenees,of nature might soeshe a
and calm her somewhat troubled spirits. il