Louisiana capitolian., 1880-09-18

1
was using were without rings.
'Ah! the daughter has returned
thought Seymour, but this is surely no
dashing belle-she looks more like a
quiet home-fairy.'
Hearing his footstep, the young girl
looked up, blushed quickly, and rose to
her feet.
Pardon me, did not mean to inter-
rupt you,' said Seymour, stepping for
ward with courteous bow. The little
arbor looked so pleasant, could not re-
sist it's attractions. did not know it
was occupied
oh, you are quite welcome said the
young lady, gathering up her paper and
pencil L was just going to the house,
anyway
4 presume have the pleasure of ad-
dressing Miss Mortimer, said Bowen,
touching his hat.
She looked up with swift glance,
half sad, half mischievous, which Sey-
mour could not comprehend, as she an
swered:
No; not Mss Mortimer. am only
Lizzie. My sister has not yet returned
to town. You are Mr.. Bowen, l am
sure
Seymour bowed again, and then ask
ed permission to occupy Miss Llzzle's
retreat short time.
'Oh, certainly she said, with bright
smile, lifting the eyes which Seymour
now saw were a soft, bright brown,
come here whenever you like. And if
you ever happen to want to be rery
lonely, and get away from everybody
see here = She drew away a thick screen
of memordica vines, and showed an
inner seat, quite hidden from outside
view.
Glorious! l shall enjoy this vastly
cried Bowen. ~
y hope you will. Nobody ever comes
here but me, when I am very lonely, and
l give you free permission to take pos
session.
Thanks! If you can only assure me
that I am not mlsplacing YOU
I can assure you Of that. like to
come, but very seldom have time. l
shall generally be busy when you are
about the house. must go now, and
help mamma about supper. We only
keep small girl, and I have a good
deal to do
With little nod of farewell, which
Seymour returned with his very best
bow, she went to the house.
He took the seat which she had va
Gated, and began to wonder how he had
happened not to hear that Mrs. Morti-
mer had tuo daughters.
Though no one could ever mistake
this one for the dashing beauty. She is
hardly pretty, but somehow she has the
most attractive face l ever saw any
where. And so the little girl gets very
lonely sometimes wonder if could
brighten an hour for her at any time 7
Helps her mamma ,shesays, but noticed
that dear little soft hand. 1t did not
resemble the usual kitchen maids, I'm
sure. Liszie,' 'Lizzie.' It's nice little
name. too. Much better for household
use than such a stately mouthful as
Augusta Wonder when the beauty,
par excellence, will appear
His thoughts ran on until the tinkle
of the tea-bell called him to the dining
room, where he met Miss Lizzie again.
My youngest daughter, Mr.. Bowen
said Mrs. Mortimer, indicating Lizzie
with an Indifferent nod.
Before Seymour could speak, the
young lady said, hastily:
4 met Mr.. Bowen in the garden,
mamma
And Seymour fancied that there was
something of entreaty in the glance she
shot towards him. Why it should be,
he did not know, but it certainly made
him forbear to make the remark he was
just beginning about having surprised
her in her favorite retreat.
Before many days, it was Seymour's
| favorite retreat, also. But be did not
meet Lizzie there again nor anywhere
else, except at the table, where only a
brief word was ever exchanged.
On Thursday Miss Augusta Mortimer
/ returned from the city. Aud as she swept
into his presence,in faultless costume,
carrying herselflike queen, Mr.. Bowen,
even while conscious that his heart held a
tiny ,half-acknowledg dgedprejudice against
Miss Augusta for reasons more potent
than tangible, could not help owning that
she was royal beauty, so far as the out
side went, anyhow.
But he met 80 many ladies of that sort