The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-09-09
There is something to sigh about though.


perhaps but what is the good of talking
about it? Nobody wants to listen to love-
Lord Oldentowers was too much astonished
to laugh.
1T is a love-story, is it," he asked in ut
ter amazement Il was afraid it might have
been something about money. So you are
in love!'
Don't laugh at me, james," pleaded the !
other miserably
Laugh? | never felt less inclined to
laugh i'll my life Wen"-with shrug of
the shoulders-'let us have it, Humphrey.
AS rule, l confess to shying at love-stories
myself; but | don't mind making an excep-
ton i'll your favor. Who is she?'
''She is a little schoolgirl of sixteen then,
if you must know."
The words were brought out abruptly, al
most bitterly, and they made Oldentowers
stare afresh.
''Great Heaven" he exclaimed
''And the veriest little coquette that walks
the earth III high-heeled shoes.n
Gracious Heaven" exclaimed the little
nobleman again.
But such beauty, James-such little
Dresder-china darling. She has golden"
'Yes-I-no doubt" interposed Lord
Cldentowers h1riedly. ''But who is she,
and where did you meet her? She's not
another Patty Barnes, | hope"
~ am not quite so mad as that. Her
mother, Mrs Dering, has the next place to
ours-that cottage called Gable End-you re-
member: and Floss is still in the school
room, poor darling, under the hands Of fin-
ishing goVerness." ~
"WelI?"
''Wel! How do such things begin? Op-
p0rtunties are SO plentiful jn the country,
even where girl is not out--a walk to
church Of spring morning, chat by her
!--hel,S -ir,eu-Wal while yon are eating
plulnS togetner. Il seat next heIs III the front
row at the penny readings L know no
more how it came about thau the man II the
moon; but the thing is done I aln head
over ears in love with Floss Dering; and l
have not sou to bless myself with, as you
are aware"
LORD Olde1rtowers indulged IN a long and
rueful whistle.
Glow is it some fellows are always in
love-" he asked III raive surprise. Il used
to see lots OF nice girls vhen | was single,
and ! liked them all; Nut I never felt the
least inclination to marry one of them"
'let your time came" said Humphrey
8loomily.
80 marry-yes, Of course! But Hiss
Dering: Does she know Of your attachment,
+umphray:"
YES"
'And she:"
"We are engaged, tell You, Lord Olden-
towers. She has promised to wait until |
an III a position to claim her"
And her mother consents to such all in
definite arrangement:"
Humphreys face fell.
'iter mother knows nothing at presen: of
our engagement" he returned curtly.
''.loss made iue promise to keep it a secret
Size is SO young. What was to do:'\
Il know What [ should have done, y said
Lolsl 0islentowers gravely. But then an
not i'll love"
1t is no joke" declared poor Humphrey,
with a KIND Of groan. Fellows may laugh
ana say there is no such thing as falling in
love nowadays. Isn't there:' u
Lord OidentowGrs looked at his friends
handsome, haggard face in wonder and pity.
has humphrey Lamont of all men IN the
word, should be reduced to such state as
that, and by a little girl out of the nursery.
''loa are sure you have nothing else on
your mind, old boy" he asked aEeotionato-
ly.
''Is not thnt enough 10 go on with" de-
| nanded Humphrey, bursting into !. wretched
laugh. How can / tell what may arise to
separate Us? l tell you, James, l should go
mad if were to lose herr"
No fear of that, | should say" returned
his friend, adapting himself very creditably
to his new role Of sympathy in q sentimen-
tai distress. Miss Dering has drawn q
prize Ill the great lottery, and I'll be bound
she knows it,"
7 7
believe she would wait till we were both
Gray-a contingency nearer realization by
sixteen yeays i'll nay case than IN hers, It IS
her mother | am afraid Of OF course Mrs
Dering VIII expect Floss to make a great
match. And my darling is such dainty,
lovely little thin9-you don't know,
James"
Mr.. Lamont sank into chair as he spoke
His hands in his pockets, his chin on his
breast, anG gozed, smiling, into the ire Ike
a man rapt in vision.
1t is Il bad business, Humphrey, an
afraid" began Lord Oldentowers after a
pause; and humphrey, looking up fercoiy
declared tn@G 10 one knew thai better than
lie dia
Il tell you | hate myself for being the
cause Of deoot and doubie-deaiing in that
innocent chi,2 But, to speak out now with
my prospects or want Of prospects, would
BE- The same IS giving Floss up for ever,
know Mrs. Doring well enough for that"
1T is a bad business, old man." repeated
Lord Oldentowers
Sometimes" continued Humphrey, as
he started up and began to pace the room
lmpetuousy. knocking the chairs out of his
way rs he walked, Il feel tempted to take
my darling away and marry her, and SO
make sure that We shall not be parted. But
the hte lead in London would kill her. 1
cannot take such an advantage of her loving
ignorance."
mo, no, Of course not. If ever YOU see