The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-09-06
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER g. 1882

gam his former footing In her regard.
He went accordingly, but to his sur
prise was informed that Miss Snede
was indisposed.
Ten minutes after he canght sight
of her in carriage will, another
young lady, going on shopping ex-
petition. ~,
With heart full of wrath he re.
turned home, and for a week he did
not make his appearance at the Snede
mansion. When he again met Alice
her manner towards him was reserved
and distant. He felt chilled and re-
pulsed, and vainly sought mn explana-
ton professed to feel the utmost con-
triton if he had offended her. But
all of his humbleness was of no avail.
He did not know the influence which
was behind the scenes.
Mr.. Snedeshad long waited for an
opportunity to affect an estrangement,
so when this slight quarrel occurred,
lie seized his opportunity and in a con-
versation with his daughter intimated
that Leon was trying to assume the
rights Of a husband to common, ere he
stood in that relation to hor. =
That was enough 1t fred all of the
combativeress in Alice's nature till she
resolved to show Leon Huntly that she
was her own mistress.
Things went from bad to worse, I'M
Alice one day fairly pulled off her ring
and threw it to Leon, who sat across
the table from her, with the words:
"That parts us forever. Mr.. Huntly."'
"Are you in earnest" questioned
poor Leon, almost stunned by the in
telligence.
eyes" f@
"Hear mo one moment for God
sake" he pleaded convulsively, clasp
ing her hands.
"Speak gently, them" she said; ris
ing as if to leave the parlor.
"Sit down again plss.se.''
And against her will Alice did so
For moment Leon sat gazing at
her, the muscles of his face twitching
convulsively. He had folded his arms
on the table before him, where be-
tween them lay the rejected ring. ,aa
At length he spoke: "Miss Alice, !
need not tell you that l love you with
my whole heart, soul and mind; that
you are will, me constantly, in my
thoughts. have too often told you
this. My affection for you has taken
a deeper hold on me than l ever mag
med possible. Hitherto it was my
filial affection and my profession which
bounded my hopes, they were absorbed
in my inter devotion for yon, and the
creator knows that I am guiltless of
any intention to wrong your. feelings
or wound you in the slightest degree.
Bnt one feeling can animate me to
wards mortal being; love or hate.
You must be my wife or l swear to
you by every thing holy and sacred |
will never permit you to forget Leon
Huntly. You shall never marry other
than myself" He paused, then ad-
ded in gentle pleading tones, "Alice
will you be my wife7"
| She looked up defantly and said
"No, l will not"
Leon rose instantly, slipped the ring
on his finger and standing beside her
in voice apparently calm, continued,
.''Be happy if you can, with the knowl-
edge that you have crushed a mans
heart"
I He left the room with swift steps,
passed through the door and Alice
was alone. fa a
All! bitterly that night she repented
her harsh words, but it was too late.
The next day brought news that Leon
had disappeared. He was soon for
gotten by all excepting her who had
learned too late how much she loved
him. She pinned, grew listless, .till her
father becoming fearful for her health,
proposed to take her travelling.
Mr.. Snede and Alice had turned
somewhat from the beaten track of
tourist and accordingly we find them
on that lovely gem of semi-typical
climes, Cuba, spending the winter
months. a sa
The bloom had begun to return to
Alice's cheeks, her temper recovered
gradually its serenity, to her father
indispensable joy, and she once more
began to take an interest in the pleas
ures Of society.
Her rare, beauty speedily drew ma
ny wealthy and talented gentlemen
around her, but none could claim that
she had shown him any favor beyond
that accorded to his rivals. s,sst
One of them, noble Cuban, Seignor
Valasques, was constant in lis atten
tons, and gaining the good will Of Mr..
Snede, pressed his suit with ardor. At
the intercessiona of her father, and
solely for the purpose of pleasing him,
Alice yielded to his entreatles, and
that day two weeks, was set fol, the
performance of the ceremony, it being
arranged that the yoong couple pro-
coed Immediately to Europe.
4 It was q lovely night. The moon