Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-04-17
LOST AND WON.

LOST AND WON.
The mellow light ola glorious sun
set tell upon two figures standing near
The low, open window of n tasteful
cottage. One Of them, young man
of about six-and-twenty, stood lean
ing his forehead upon his hand, while
his eyes reverted constantly to the
slight, girlish figure at his side, and
his face glowcd with the feelings he
seemed struggling to rcprcss.
The maiden wascvidcntly conscious
of his glance, for faint glow dyed her
check, and bright cxpcctant light
slonc IN her eyes, while one hand
played ncrvously with tho curtains
that Swallowed the windows.
"Mss Summers the young man
said at length, 81 shall leave West
vile ON the day after tomorrow, and
us this is the last moment of leisure
that ! still have before starting, I
thought would take the opportunity
to bid you one more farewell"
Lila Summers glanced up quickly,
her sweet eyes brimful to tears, but
his face was nvertcd and he did not
see them.
at was very kind in you toremcm-
Der me, Mr.. Leigh" she FILTERED; "but
why must you leave us9 This is very
unexpected, and your-your friends
will miss You sadly"
sit is with deep regret that do So,'
he answered, constrancdly, "but there
is no ALTERNATIVE must go!" He
hcsitatcd, rs if struggling with him
self, then CHANGING down at the little
white hand that lay so near his Own,
he continued: "Arc YOU sorry that |
must 60, Miss Summcrsg will you miss
mc?'
every sorry there wnsa culver in
the sweet voice, and again she raised
her eyes to his face. He caught their
glance this time, and his heart bound
ed with u sudden hope. He stepped
closer to her, and the next moment
would have spoken, but the door of
the room opened at the instant to adj
nit Il tall, stylish man, u stranger to
him. A flush of embarrassment arose
TO Lilla's cheek as she stepped for
ward and extended her hand.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Morctou ny
she said, tryingto speak easily.
"Good afternoon,' he responded
gayly; and not pcrcciving Mr.. Leigh,
who stood hidden by the curtain, lifted
her hand to his lips.
Her color deepencd at the uncxpcc-
ted salute, and she stepped quickly to
the window in order to show him that
she was not alone; but tho place was
vacant.
Leigh, wholly misunderstanding
her embarrassment, and her friends
greeting had noisclessly taken his de-
partnrc.
The tears rushed to Lilla's eyes, and
u sudden choking arose in her throat ;
and before she could regain her com
pOsurc, Mr.. M0rctOn had taken her
hand, and asked her to be his wife.
What she said in reply she scarcely
knew; but she managed somehow to
let him know his suit was hopeless,
and to beg him to leave her, and as
his retreating footsteps died away, she
FASTENED into the garden where was
erected a small, rustic arbor in whicl,
she hadoltcn sat with HenryLcigh, and
throwing herself down upon a seat,
wept bitterly.
At last her sobs ceased, and grow
ing calmcr, she drew a small book from
her pocket, taking from it carte dc
visitc upon which she gazed long and
sorrowfully.
ooh, Henry, my dear friend, whom
have learned to love so dearly !" she
murmured, tearfully; "and to think
that You have left me like this, when
in another moment Knight have heard
the words that would have made me
the happicst of women; left me with
out a sign, and that pcrchance | may
never sec you again! Oh, it is too
crucl--tOO cruelw
She re-opened the book and pencil
ed few lines upon it; then laying it
down she drew a ring from her finger,
at which she gazed fondly for a few
moments, and then once more bury
ing her face in her hands, wept long
and bitterly.
When Leigh so abruptly left Lilla's
house, it was with a fierce, deadly pain
at his heart, a burning, tmobbing
fever in his veins, that forbade his
resting, but forced him to walk on and
on, with hurried, restless steps, his
hands clenched and his lips compress
ed, until several miles stretched be-
tween him and her home. For many
months he had loved Lila Summers,
but her wealth had risen like an i'm
penetrable barrier between them, and
too honorable to attempt to win her
affections while he held what some
considered an interior position, he had
resolved to tear himself away, and
seek in another locality to subdue his
hopeless passion.
He had, accordingly, called to bid
her farewell; and in the moment of his
doanost 1osrnnlonnr raolinr 90 In