Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-02

storm broke ont. But he came suddenly
like child in his terror, and it was only
with the greatest difficulty ! got hin
within it's shelter.
| As peal after peal Of thunder crashed
above us, Alfred seemed to lose all con.
tro' Of himself and, seriously offended,
i left him, nsarly sobbing, in corner,
and went and stood by myself in the
open door. In the very height Of the
storm saw my father, DR.. Orman and
three Of our workmcn coming through
the wood. They evidently suspected
our sheltering place, for they came d.
rcctly toward it.
Alfred" shouted DR.. Orman, in the
tone Of an angry master, "where are
yon, sir ? Come here instantly"
My pettedncss instantly vanished,
and said: doctor, you have no right
TO speak 10 Alfred in that way. lie is
going to be my husband, and ] shall not
permit it any more"
Miss Wakefield" he answered, "this
is sheer folly. Look theren
turned and saw Alfred crouching in
a corner, completely paralyzed with ter
ror; and yet, when DR.. Orman spoke
to him, he rose mechanically, a. a dog
might follow his masters call.
~ am sorry, Miss Wakefield, to de-
stroy your fine romance. Mr.. Alfred
Compton is, rs you perceive not fit to
marry any lady. In fact, am his
keeper
ooh, Aunt Phoebe Surely be was not
q lunatic"
50 they said, Julia. His frantic ter
ror was the only sign / saw Of it; but
DR.. Orman told my father that he was
at all times really dangerous, and that
he was annually paid large sum to
take charge of him, az he became nncon.
trol)able in an asylum"
"Did you see him again I"
mo. found little note in the rose
bush, saying that he was not mad that
he remembered my promise to be bis
wife, and won)d surely come some day
and claim me. But they left in three
days, and Melissa, whose wedding ont
fl was curtailed in conseq twitted
me very unkindly about my fine crazy
lover. II was o little hard on me, for
he was the only lover l ever had. Me-
LISA and Jane both married. AMI went
West with their husbands; / lived on
at kyelands, faded lit'lo old maid, I'M
til my uncle Joshua sen: for me 10 come
to New York and keep his fine house for
him. You know that be left me all he
had when be died, nearly two years
ago. Then ! sent for you. I remem-
bered my own lonely youth, and thought
] would give You & fairer chance, dear"
"Did you ever hear of him again,
aunt ~
"Of him, never. His eldest brother
died more than a year ago. ] suppose
Alfred died many years since; he was
very frail and delicate. l thought it
was refinement and beauty then; !
know now it was all i'll health
"Poor aunt"
"Nay, child, was very happy while
my dream lasted; and / never will
believe but that Alfred in bis love for
me was quite sane, aud perhaps more
sincere than many wiser men,"
After this confidence Miss Phnbe
seemed to take great pleasure in speak.
ing of the little romance of her youth.
Often the old and the young maidens |
sat in the twilight discussing the proba-
biliiies Of Poor Alfred Compton's life
and death, and every discussion left
them m)re and more positive that he
had been the victim of some plot. The
subject never tired Miss Phoebe, and Ju-
ia, in the absence of lover of her own,
ound charm quite in keeping with her
,wn youthful dreams.
One cold night in the middle of Janu-
Try they had talked over the old sub
ect until both felt. i, to he exhausted
1t least for that night. Julia drew
lside the heavy satin curtains, and
ooking out, said: TT 10 showing heavi-
y, aunt, tomorrow we can have sleigh
ide. Why, there is a sleigh at our door!
Who can it be- A gentleman, aunt, and
le is coming here
Close the curtains, child. 1t is my
awyer, Mr.. Howard. He promised to
all tonight
oh, dear! ! was hoping it was some
ice strange person.
Miss PhTbe did not answer; her ;
thoughts were far away. In fact, she g
ad talked about he: old lover until -,