The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-27
Gagged BY A WOMAN.

LOulslana--a quiet spot some distance
from any plantation but as soon as our
marriage took place we young folks
were to remove to a neighboring parish,
and thither Frank went, shortly before
the wedding to prepare our new home.
He left me busy as bee with the
trousseau and arrangements for the
affair, which was to be a grand one for
the country, as my father was well-to-
do planter, and the only child.
He had been absent about fortnight,
and was expecting him back daily,
when one day, father came, with trou-
bed face, into the room where L was
sitting, surrounded by lace, and muslin,
and dainty necessaries of the toilet,
which were just as much the fashion
then as they are now, Bessie, popular
cant to the contrary, nothwithstand-
ing.
Lettie," said he, hurriedly, "I've
got to go over to Squire Bent's to see
about some titles. l came near forget
ting the appointment, and I'll have to
hurry right fast to get there now on
time. Can you do without me 2"
laughed and nodded: then suddenly
an uneasy feeling took possession of me.
remembered the money-quite a large
sum--with which Frank and were to
begin the world" and which lay
securely hidden away in the house, the
nest egg of our future fortune.
l knew that l was destined to lonely
night of it, for father could not possibly
return within twenty-four hours; the
servants had all gone to +" break
down." on neighboring plantation,
except an aged crone, Aunt Dlnan by
name; my mother was an invalid, weak
and nervous; felt that, alone as was,
the outlook was not very enlivening.
Father observed my troubled express
sion.
'I don't see how / can help it,
daughter" he said, gravely. "This is a
very important matter, and admits of no
delay. II is the fault of my treacherous
memory had / only remembered the
engagement with the squire, would
have kept some of the servants at home
as protection for you"
But was no coward, and so l kissed
him and laughed away his anxiety, and
saw him depart with assumed cheerful
ness but as he rode down the avenue,
which led TO the outer gates, saw him
turn in the saddle, and gaze after me
anxiously once more.
returned to my household duties,
and my pleasant task, amid the pillows
of lace and muslin, and so, sang and
worked the long, bright day away.
1t was nearly sunset.
had persuaded mother to lie upon
couch, which had pushed out upon the
vine-covered gallery, and seated myself
beside her, began to read aloud some
wild old tale of supernatural horrors,
upon which had stumbled. Before
had half finished, l had worked myself
into state of nervousness, and as i
noticed the paling face of my mother, /
tossed the book upon the table, with a
contemptuous expression, and arose to
make her tea.
Al that moment the gate latch click
ed, and as turned in its direction, /
could not repress cry of alarm.
My eyes fell upon o strange sight. The
figure of a woman-a very dwarf in size
and stature-clad in a faded black dress,
with battered bonnet upon her head,
and torn shawl about her tiny, stoop-
ing shoulders.
Slowly and hesitatingly the creature
moved up the walk, until she reached
the gallery.
Here she paused to gaze curiously
upon us, with a pair of round, bead. like,
black eyes.
Then she spoke, in voice clear and
well-modulated
have lost my way, ladies,' she
said, beseechingly, 't.may 1 crave
nights shelterY"
glanced at my mother. She was
pale, and trembled violently.
1 had conceived an unaccountable
aversion to the small stranger; but who
could have the heart to turn woman
away into the pathless forest, with night
coming down, dark and threatening,
for the sky was overcast, and there were
signs of an approaching thunder storm,
and the wind moaned drearily in the
boughs of the pine trees.
So I told her that she might remain
but I resolved to know no slumber that
night, but to watch the long hours
4.