The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-08-14
STELLA'S LOVER.

STELLA'S LOVER.
"Who i, 2" asked Stella. She and
Felicia Martin were idly looking out
,,pon the driveway Of Mr.. Martins
country seat through the narrow lat
ticet windows.
"Thnt Is Colonel AutieNrcid. an.
swercd Felicia. adjusting her eye
glasses. Papa il bringing MN mere
to dine. He is a widower: he's lived
abroad for years. Seems 10 ME I've
heard that Ills course Of true love
didn't run smooth. He has the
most bewitchlng melancholy eyes.
and such manner You can't help
wishing he was in love with you.
That night, while the girls combed
out their braids aud .urls. 10 the low
wainscotcd chamber. Felicia sud
denly remarked: Il believe there
will he a second Mrs. Audenreid." !
Stella gave u start. and returned
from IN excursion into the past.
"DO YOU know" continued Felicia
II caught him looking at your re.
Election in the mirror. with his heart
in his ewes, I wonder tho first Mrs.
Audeureid didn't turn In her grave"
"Felioia, don't! You mako me shud.
der, cried Stella. "Your imagination
is better than your eyesight: you are
ALWAYS seeing somebody devour'
inc somebody else with their glances.
I'm sure thought Colonel Auden'
reid was 40 indifferent as o star 10
|. heaven"
"Modest creature! He had ears
for nobody but yourself, az we'll az
eyes. It Is Kislnet. Why was not
born under some lucky planet?"
From that date Colonel Audenreld
became o frequent guest at Mr.. Mar
tin's suburban retreat. He rode with
Stella and Felicia over the hills; he
picuicked with them at the edge OF
the pine woods; he drifted on the
lake at sunset by their side. aud
filled the boat With water lilies aud
spicy branches OF the wild azalea ne
amused them with glimpses OF his
continental life; With stories OF the
var. IN which he had led q lorl0rn
hone OF camp and hospital regimen.
Sometimes they took the train to the
city. and laughed together over some
comedy. or hung entranced upon
some famous singers tones; or they
Joined 4 pleasure party to tho Isles Of
Shoals. or down the harb0r, return
Ing in the dewy evening, with the
stars leaning out Of heaven, and the
whippoorwill making tho night me-
lanChOly, Once they paused az tne
cato to listen to his platnttve voice
Felicia had passed on to the piazza
the pines stood out tall aud dusk1
against the heavens; the roses snooh
out an odorous breath whenever INT
wind touched them.
"You should hear the nightlnRale'
fluting about nv homo 10 Surrey
when the night FALLS; 1t is !lke tn
refrain OF some sad poem. SAID Oolo
mel Audenreid.
'You must have been very happ.
there in that beautiful country, re
turned Stella.
Colonel AudenreiL opened the gat'
for her to pass on, without replying
with a distraught air. az II he we're al
ready miles away from tho subject.
II think he did not like INC Z
speak at that time. she confessed I
Felicia.
"Fiddlesticks. returned that youn
person.
"Pshaw! Are you blind. Stella
None 80 blind a. those who wont set
i've heard. I fastened into tn
house on purpose to give him
chance to speak to you. saw 1t I
his eyes.
y II never knew such eight ~ yours
though I've always understood neal
sighted people could see 10 the dsrl
de has nothing special to say
me-" ......o.. .,,,,,,
extaut. He leaves us next mont
II he says)uot hing before then, )lsha
h naver believe In signs and omel
again. d,
" Felicia, I'm afraid you're doomed
disappointment. 4,
1--WE act my heart upon u
The next day Mr.. Martin and b
family Get off to tho nearest beat
Tor a weeks camping out-"A lit
taste Of gypsy !ite." ne eeld; (! q
Colonel Audenreid. coniesstng %
8, 4 camp Was q lito home-lko eu0
reeistible. followed, bearing his pa
In Ditching the tents, 10 baking, d
havinR. aud gathering tho drtft.Wo
to hoii the kettle. They cat late
w. the beach at night, within view
the smOldering drlft.v0od III
watching the sails that g!immetea
the starlight an instant, like ghoe
and we're gone. the revolving Iigl
ike great Rlow.Worms, Hitting. q
songs. repeating all the love and
NANCE OF the melancholy mai!
No. Colonel Audenreid'a artic expeditl
a. we'll AZ his Indian voyages turns
ri material for conversation, ev
had he not been once shipwreck!
, and once In peril from mutiny:
70, ne seemed the merest dletM.
while he l0unged upon tho 90!
Quoting poetry and caroling snstc'
Of ballads to two pretty girls.
"'The sea hath it's perils,
The heaven hath it's stars
But my heart, my heart.
My heart hath its love"
he repeated ono night. ~ he gave
hand to Stella to rise. , ru,,.
kha Ibid you notice." said FeIica.
: az ter he spoke In the present te'
tan IA IGNORED the past"