The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-10-07

PEELED to live abroad for years on her
account, when his own tastes were SO de-
cidedly English.
But Lord oldentowers, who had made so
kind and patient husband, was not con-
scious of any such feeling as was popularly
attributed to him. lie was remorsefully
aware that his heart was not buried with
the poor listle wife to whom his friends had
married him; an,. the keenest regret caused
him by TIE remembrance of her foreign
grave was the regret that he could not
mourn for her more deeply.
''He is just the man to make fool Of
himself about woman" Clarissa Dering
asserted in her cabinet councils at Gable
End. ''He married for money, I suppose,
the first time the next time it will be to
please himself"
There was in a remote corner of the wide
and splendid grounds of Oldentowers a well,
moss-grown and picturesque, which bore
the reputation in the village of being o
magic well.
Those, i. was asserted, who should drink
of its water by moonlight, kneeling bare
headed and repeating solemnly the neces-
sary charm, would see within twenty-four
hours the one person who loved them best
in all the world.
Mrs. Dering heard this little legend one
day while every one was discussing the
news of Lord Oldentowers's return end
lamenting the neglected beauties of his no
BILE old place and the little widow, declar-
ing that she was the least bit in the world
superstitious, professed her intention of one
night putting the charm to the test
Il shall then be able to decide" she
added, laughing, whether it is Mrs. Bixby
who loves me best-she declares that I
paint, you know, Major Bryce, and wear
false hair-or Miss MAllister who wonders
what people can see in that little piece of
affection or her doll Of daughter"
81 should certainly advise you to settle
the question at once, my dear Mrs. Dering,"
responded the admiring Bryce, ''unless you
are afraid to invoke such ghastly spectacle
as Laura M'Allister presents, by dove, in
her new red-and-green gown!"
''Poor Laura!" laughed Clarissa Dering.
'sIt is not her fault, Major Bryce, if she has
been born without an eye for color"
''You need not 60 to the magic well, Miss
Dering," whispered Charley Cuppage. He
had been brought over from Nettleby by
good-natrred uncle Rex, who had found 1t
impossible to resist the lads piteous en-
treaties. ''No doubt you dream of Lamont
lucky beggar!-every night, as 1t Is
'Do you suppose no one else cares for
me then but my poor, old Humpty ?" pouted
Floss ''It might be quite another person
| should see!"
II am sure it would" whispered Charley,
looking into the little beauty's velvety
eyes in boyish alteration. And SO the sub
ject dropped.
1t was perhaps week later, when Lord
/ Oldentowers, strolling moodily one day
along the old well-walk, under the green
budded trees, saw two girls coming towards
| him through the tender April sunlight
| Their hands were full of primroses-his
| primroses, gathered in his well-walk, at the
| foot of his elms What audacious young
| trespassers were these? the sad little fellow
| wondered, half smiling.
But, as they drew nearer, it seemed that
both the slender shapes and both the young
faces were oddly familiar to him.
Yes, surely he had met that tall girl be-
fore with the ripping brown hair, and the
little chattering fairy who looked ike-ike
Dresden china.
| Of course, it was poor, old Humphreys
lost love! Lord Oldentowers remembered
her at once rs the comparison came into his
head and he raised his hat as the young
ladies approached, wondering whether Miss
Dering would recognize him.
He was not left long in suspense. Miss
Floss no sooner saw him than, with child
ish movement, she put her great nosegay Of
primroses behind her back, glancing in
pretty dismay at her companion.
"Oh, Lord Oldentowers," she said coax
ingly, please don't scold us! We could
not resist them"
The young man hastened to reassure the
charming culprit, and to place the whole
| yfy,1 1<,fr> hn~l 1xv
that time he had recognized Marjory, too,
and had shaken hands with her, inquiring
kindly after her brother
''He has made me delightful little book
out of the odds and ends brought home, !"
he added good-naturedly but 1 had to do
without Jasper's words, after all"
do you know Miss Sebright, Lord Old
entowers?" cried Floss, in naiue surprise,
wondering what manner of governess this
was whom everybody seemed pleased to see.
81 am SO glad, because it won't be any harm
to talk to you little-will it!'
II hope not," answered the gentleman,
smiling
YES but mean Oh dear, Miss
Sebright," she exclaimed in sudden per-
pleMty, ''how shall We explain to mamma
that it was by accident we met Lord Olden-
towers? She will never believe me-"
''Is Mrs. Dering so terribly severe then2 2"
''No; but, you see, Lord Oldentowers,
mamma told us to be sure and not go near
the house for fear Of disturbing you. And
We did not. We only wanted to see the
well, and we were not to know that you
would have come to this particular spot for
your walk"
1T is | who am trespassing, indeed" re-
turned the young man, gravely. 81 must
take an early opportunity Of explaining the
position to Mrs. Dering."
''Will you:" cried Floss gleefully. "Oh,
do. Mamma wouldn't scold US If you went
home with us. The pony-carliage is wait
, ing al the gates. | viii drive you over,