Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-30

mo- SAID /, W1tn Dlttei miI0n hoo Ill
week, but in eight days"
She made no answer, but still knelt at
nv feet. And so we parted; for the
farewell on the morrow was but formal
one,
Two years passed by. Occasionally
| sent her little notes, pictures OF noted
places--foolish curioslties. But never
cave her my address.
At last / returned, and found she was
living out as a governess.
Her mother told me her situation was
in the neighborhood of Ryde. Happen
ing to have friends in that town, made
them an excuse for a visit there.
Yet, on my arrival, ! was in no hurry
to find them out; and taking mp my
quarters in a quiet inn, | prepared to
have day or two alone.
1t was a Saturday afternoon, lovely
weather, and l set out for walk, well
known in years gone by, through the
Lovers Lane, nesting by the waterside.
/ sat down and fell into a reverie.
Something woke me from it-a sound.
| became aware that was listening to
prattle; little voices were borne upon
the breeze, children's laughter mingling
with the ripping waves.
But every now and then there was an
other voice, not child's, yet childllke.
1t was familiar to my ears, and, as lis
tened, its sound woke within me chords
of forgotten music. Before many Sec
onds had gone l knew it was Ems voice
heard.
l rose upon my elbow quietly, so as to
make no noise, and looked over the top
of summer-house near by on to the
garden below And there I saw her.
She was on a seat under the trees. About
her were four children, two boys and
two girls. They STOOD at her knees close
together, watching her make chain of
daisy flowers.
She had grown, but not much; she
was still little maiden, and it was
plain she never would rank among big
women.
She was dressed in blue-a little blue
cloth cap perched daintily upon her
dainty head, still poised like queens
upon her shoulders, and blue serge
dress which fitted better, l noticed,
than her dresses used to do. Even from
where | was I could see her blue eyes
flashing, and that wonderful smile upon
her face. She was certainly prettier
than of old, and she still looked like a
maiden stepped down from fairydom.
Wondering what the answer might be,
softly, hardly above whisper, gently
called-"Emw
But she, engaged with the daisy
chain and her little ones, did not hear,
and paid no heed. So, smiling, call
ed little louder-'Emn
But still sue did not hear. The daisy
chain and the little ones seemed to en-
gross all her thoughts, and my voice
blew past her with the wind.
How would it do, ! thought, since she
was so obstinately deaf, to rouse her by
confronting her. Ifshe would not hear,
she should see, and her eyes, if not her
ears, be opened.
| With some such fancy, | was Just
about to rise and intrude myself upon
her presence, when noticed the figure
of man coming down the path.
had no objection to children witness
ing our meeting, though ! could have
spared even them; but third party,
and he O stranger, did not want. Sol
waited until he should be gone.
He was q young man, gentleman
beyond doubt; good-looking: dressed in
a gray suit of tweed and bright, red
necktie. His was a fair young face. He
had promising moustache, which he
tended with one hand, and he was smok-
ing mighty meerschaum.
Instead of passing, as | expected, he
stopped, leaning with one hand upon
the moss-green wall. There was she
with her daisy chain and children at her
knees.
Just as | thought he would surely be
moving on, he vaulted lightly over the
wall, and, while watched with angry
eyes, ran to her from behind, drew her
head back to him, and kissed her twice
or thrice upon the lips.
The blood boiled within my veins. l
did not doubt that this was q dastardly
outrage, and that my darling needed a
defender. In a minute vengeance would
I