Louisiana capitolian., 1880-09-18

vines. He lay down upon the rustic
seat, and was lazily dreaming when, a
little later, Lizzie came into the arbor.
He heard her sit down, and by the rustic
Of her paper and pencil, he knew she
was drawing. As she worked, shd
hummed alow song, and Mr.. Bowen CON,
cluded not to disturb her. Z
1t was rather pleasant to. have her sit
| ting 80 near, singing 20 softYs and Mr..
Bowen Vas enjoying it, when tho sweet
voice Of Miss Augusta vas A{aFd in
tones not quite so dulcet d usujl a. she
said, 9r.as.ae AF
"Oh, Miss Liz! you are hers..are you!
Has anybody been with You e
"Nobody but my thoughts = answered
Lizzie
mamma thought she saw Mr.. Bowen
come down here" said Miss Augusta,
tartly.
"Then it must have been with her
spiritual eyes. l Haven't seen him with
my bodily ones, and he's sizable object,
too," laughed Lizzie.
II wonder where be is p said Miss
Augusta.
cts my private opinion he's no.
where" answered Lizzie, with mock So
lemnity. II haven't seen him to-day
and l fear he is altogether invisible"
Seymour, inside the vines, laughed
softly to himself, as be heard this, while
Miss Mortimer answered, sharply:
Don't be a fool, Liz After all, it
don't matter where be is, since he isn't
here. But l warn you, Missy, l won't
allow you to get up Irritation with
Mr.. Bowen"
~ shouldn't know how. You never
gave me lessons" answered Lizzie, with
spirit that made seymour's eyes spar
kle.
ut will be time enough for yon after
I am settled" continued Miss Augusta,
land l mean to get settled this time.
Mr.. Bowen is dreadfully rich. learned
that in the city, and l may not have
many more such chances. l am deter
mined not to let him slip through my
fingers" "a
II would rather die than marry him
for his money, if didn't love him." said
Lizzie. with more fire than she often
showed.
"Wel], wouldn't. And I expect l
shall 10 it, only I'll thank you to keep
| we'll out Of my way" answered Miss Au-
gusta, loftily. And then she walked
away, leaving Lizzie silent, and Mr..
Bowen amazed and indignant at what
be could not help hearing.
lit had not been for sparing ,Lizzie's
feelings, he would have stepped ont and
confronted Miss Mortimer-he felt just
like doing so. But he was beginning to
learn few things, and be resolved to
keep quiet and see how the enigma
would work itself out,
Lizzie sat silent while, Mr.. Bowen
fervently hoped she would not come into
the inner arbor and discover him; and
| resolved, if she did come in, to be fast
asleep!
But Lizzie did not come, and before
long he heard her putting up her work
to 20. As she rose from her seat, he
heard long, deep sigh, and then the
words, softly uttered:
"Gus may have all the money and
welcome, but oh if l only had somebody
to care just little for me, how glad I'd
bew
"Poor, lonely, little love! wouldn't
be surprised if somebody did care great
deal for you" thought Seymour, as her
footsteps died upon the garden walk.
After that, his eyes were even quicker
than common to perceive the true state
Of affairs, but he did not pay Lizzie one
single attention which could rouse Miss
Augustus ire. And though he was po-
| litely attentive to Miss Augusta herself,
he was very careful not to let fall word
or look which she could construe into
meaning more than politeness.
The afternoon before he went back
to the city he asked for few min
utes' private interview with Mrs. Morti-
mer, which was readily given,
"Well, Mrs. Mortimer" said he, after
they had settled things regarding bust
ness. II have found your little family
circle so pleasant, that can hardly leave
| it, unless carry part of it With me-"
II am sure you hatter u.s." said the
lady.
II do not mean hattery, but-ch,