St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-01-25

again he was almost forced to doubt thst
the untried, inexperienced little blondine
knew entirety the needs and hunger of
her own young heart
But perplexed and undecided as he
was, he most earnestly desired to be-
friend her, to help her: and to give to
her pure life richer coloring and
sweeter SAVIOR.
He never once guessed that his nep-
hew, Mortimer Ross, who had latterly
haunted his Office, had managed to obtain
a close acquaintance with his pretty
copyist. Mr.. Ross was luxurious idler,
and oddly aristocratic in his procliv-
tiles, albeit he was wholly dependent
upon his generous uncle for the funds
necessary to the qualification of his patri~
clan tastes He was gay youth besot-
ted with the delights of bachelor free
dom that he had vowed never to relin'
quish except to the gilded authority of
some wealthy bride.
But the sordid determinations of this
brilliant young gentleman were some
what shaken after seeing the lovely Lois
Hartzelle. And yet, ultimately, the
selfshness that he chose to call necessity
conquered.
A much less vain woman would have
been fattered by his admiration, his in
sidisus compliments and his impressive
courtesy. And it is not marvellous that
for brief, delicious time the credulous
child believed in his tacit p rofessions of
disinterested passion: nor is it strange
that when she quite SIS tacitly acknowl>
edged his mastery that lie should sud-
denly end all the unuttered sentiment
that had been between them.
Miss Hartzelle came into Paul Chan
don's Office one day and found no one
there but Mortimer Ross, who arose to
meet her with lazy smile as she shyly
advanced and placed her copied doc
uments on the desk of her employer.
"Be seated, please" entreated the
young man "there is no one here, and
J wish to talk to you"
She took the profered chair COM
posedly, and waited TRANQUILITY Tor what
he had to say. This gracious acquies
ence somegtat noSplussed MIN for a
moment, tor he had sumed voice and
attitude, and facial expression of mourn
fulness and mystery that were subtly
simulated to convince this young crea
ture that he was most helpless and
miserable puppet of some cruel and in
exorable fate. He wished to impress her
with the heroism, the conscientiousness,
the sacrifcial regrets that attended the
| necessities that obliged him to give up
her love, for which he had never openly
asked, but of which he was in his conceit
30 sure. n -
"You wish to talk with me ?" she
queried sweetly, but warily and with
dignity; for her keen, prompt instinct
scented something strange and wrong,
and purposely meant to be humiliating
to her; "you have copying for me,
perhaps? 2" ~-'
No. he denied with great emphasis;
"it l were WEALTHY and had any sort OF
business I might find some such ignom-
inious work for you to do for me. But
would not, Lois. Instead I should ask
you to share my ease-never my toll"
"Tndeed?' commented the young
lady with commendable calmness and
Indifference.
eff we're wealthy" he resumed with
great *gallantry and energy, II should
make you my wife. But / am wretchedIy
poor and quite as dependent on my uncle
as you are. And besides, society ex-
poets great deal of met expects me
to sacrifice inclination to policy it ex-
poets me to marry some rich and fash
ionable lady. Lois, my dear girl, think
OF me as leniently as you can. By your
love for me you will forgive what to
Others might seem Imercenary. My
pretty child, promise me- that you will
not grieve for me who has won your
tender heart" ~
For one moment the cool, lovely eyes
regarded him with puzzled inquiry that
was decidedly discomfting.
pardon me-" she said politely, "for
| assure you what you have said is very
enigmatical. I do not at all understand
you"
"You do not ?" he interrupted rudely;
TO-"
The man stopped and redeemed with
irritation ; for the first time he realized
that Lois Hartzelle, aroused and
defensive, was not at all the sort
of person to submit tamely to
humiliation. One glance from her great,
grave eyes was sufficient to parry an un.
warranted familiarity always; one mo-
ton of her slim, stately finger could pre-
vent the yet unuttered rudeness. Foes
and friends alike were always forced to
be profoundly courteous to Lois Hart
zelle. s.
II do not at all understand you," she
persisted, very politely and quietly.
" You have never spoken to me of love
before"
Il acknowledge that" assented the
man, thrusting toward her his soft white
hands with clasp that she ecolly