Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-10-20

uncd light from the turned
pore, lain. shaded lamps within, and
everywhere rang the music aud
laughter OF that merry band.
When finally the last loiterer had
departed aud Miss Edith Everleigh
was momentarily left alone, she
stole across the grounds and threw
herself down Oh a rustic seat placed
at their farther extremity. If she
had been mystified before she was
hopelessly COMPOUNDED now. What
did it all meant Valnly bordering,
and just at the point of the inevi.
table feminine "good cry she lift.
ed her eyes to behold Hal Thorn.
ton standing by the other arm OF
the settee. In her absorption she
had not noticed his light football on
the velveiy tart.
She Instantly arose, peceptibly
flushing and paling ia the moon.
light, and moved toward n hasty re-
treat. Her anger and modification
would not let her stay. The man,
whatever he was, had deceived and
made fool of her. He should not
have the second chance to do it.
Thornton gravely uncovered his
head.
"Don't run away, please" he
pleadingly said, 81 have been look.
ing for you. I want to tell YOU
something and to beg your p;i don"
Miss Edith wavered a moment,
then rather ungraciously resumed
her seat, half turning her back
upon the intruder.
I'm common with most town bred
people, even the best and most sen.
sible Of them'-he went on, but
coming no nearer to her-"I think
that you, Miss Edith, have under.
rated the people of the country. l
venture to say you came here SO.
cretly despising US, and expecting
TO find us Of caste lower than
your own. Now, for truths sake
give me an honest answer; didn't
you'"-he seriously questioned.
II was a quavering little "Yes'
that broke the nights Stiffness, and
yet given as absolutely as if at
confessional.
Miss Edith Everleigh could never
quite understand what force i'm
PEELED her to the utterance of that
humiliating monosyllable.
believing this" Thornton con.
tinued, land ont of patience with
the blind prejudice that underlay
it all, recklessly resolved that you
should not be disappointed. With
the result you are conversant. l
do not at all seek to justify myself.
1t was an ungentiemaniy, mean and
abominable thing to do. am
heartily sorry for and ashamed at
it. Will YOU forgive Iner
No answer, though Thornton bent
his head to listen.
81 shall be very miserable if you
do not" he humbly said, breaking a
silence that was growing dreadful.
a smotheied sob escaped from
behind the lace. edged handkerchief
pressed to Miss Edith Everleigh's
face, but still no word was spoken.
Thornton began to feel himself
monster.
Presently. he advanced toward
the dropping Niobe, and gently
lifted the dropping hand lying on
her lap. Unrestrained he held the
waxen thing for an appreciable in.
slant in his own broad and some.
what hardened palm, then drew it
within his arm, saying with n mild
authority.
Come, let us 60 in now. You
will he drenched with the dew sit
ting here; besides, poor innocent
June, my unwilling tool and accom-.
plice also anxiously awaits your
pardon. In the morning, | shall
telegraph to your father that you
will remain with us longer ;n-this
Thornton confidently asserted as the
two strolled slowly up the walk.
Time tails me to tell OF the happy
weeks that followed; Of how thor.
oughly convinced Miss Edith Ever
leigh became that life in a rnral
community might. and generally
did, mean more than cattle and
acres and crops, the signs of vet or
dry and the price Of eggs and butter;
or of how she grew to delight IN all
the varying phases Of Nature and
the refining, uplifting influences Of
her benefcent companionship.
All things earthly must come to
on end aud pleasant visits, though
long protracted, cannot last forever.
Miss Edith Everleigh was at last