The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-12-16

or nothing ahead in the world; to-day he
was Captain Valentine, with the world
at his feet; the richest man in town, per-
haps.
'sYou might have been mistress up
there, Miss Eulalie," he had reminded
her one day, pausing at her gateway at
ter the house was done. ''But you took
your choice-you took your choice, and"
-laughing-"they tell us that beggars
shouldn't be chosers."
From the very first Captain Valentine
had raised a hue and cry about Miss
Eulalie's elm-tree; it almost seemed as
if he had selected the site to tease her,
as if he wished to strip her of everything
she loved, since she declined to love
himself. II have bought the most ex-
pensive spot in town." he said, land
spared no money, in order that l might
open my eyes every morning on my be-
loved sea, and you refuse to sacrifice a
tree for an old friend and neighbor, a
tree which will drop of its own will
presently"
Captain Valentine, she said, 'you
have my word, once for all; the elm
shall stand 80 long as l am mistress
here. There need be no more words
about it."
mo more words, but indeed" he
answered, and a wicked, angry light
famed in his eyes, such as she had seen
there once before. The man could hold
fire like iron.
But then the subject dropped, as she
believed. He did not mention the tree
again. .'He has given it up" she
thought; .'he makes great noise when
he can't have his way. and then forgets
about it." But Miss Euialie did not do
the Captain justice. One twilight, rs
she returned from a sick neighb0rs, it
gave her curious shock to see her pref
ty ward, Isabel Vaughn, talking over the
hedge which separated the grounds, to
Captain Valentine, who wore rose in
his button-hole.
"See, dear Miss Eulalie," she cried
see what basket of roses Captain VAL
entine has brought us! And might 90
up TO The Towers tomorrow with Mrs.
Van Buff to see Captain Valentines
Corot?''
Miss Eulalie could hardly refuse
why should she?-and Isabel returned
in ectasies with the medieval furniture,
the Persian draperies, the wonderful
carved worries, the carpets like wood
land moss, the Oriental rugs, and skins
of ant-eaters and tawny lions.
ut is just heavenly she said. alt
makes home look squalid and mean. 1t
makes me low-spirited to come back.
Why did you let me go, Miss Eulalie?
And the elm-tree does interfere with his
view more or less; but what of thatp He
has everything else. He can gallop to
the sea in hall an hour. Such horses!
I've always longed for saddle-horse.
Captain Valentine has promised to lend
me q safe one."
And day after day he kept his word,
and brought his horses round for Miss
Isabel to try, or left flowers and fruits
that fairly inundated the small house; or
perhaps he gathered the young people
together, and gave a fete under his trees.
with dancing on the broad veranda hung
with festoons of Chinese lanterns; and
sometimes Miss Eulalie was obliged to
chaperon Isabel, and sit, q faded wall
flower, in the house of her old sutton.
II wonder why Captain Valentine
never married?" said Isabel, after one
of these fetes. II wonder how it seems
to be so everlasting rich; to have no worry
about money; to"
"Isabel, warned Miss Eulalie, s'you
care too much for money. There are
better things"
mention one, please"
''You will think am sentimental
old woman, but love is better thousand
fold"
II don't know. Love is very nice,
but if you must 60 without everything
else, without pretty gowns and jewels
and splendor, give me money"
"You are too young to choose. Pretty
gowns, jewels and splendor, lose their
charm when you are used to them, but
love outlasts everything"
But Miss Eulalie's words were wasted.
II love money" Isabel confessed; II
adore clothes. Idon't know about love"
In spite of all that had happened, Miss
Eulalie was quite unprepared when Is
abel said to her: I've something to tell
you. l dare say you know it already,
though. l am going to marry Captain
Valentine, and wear cashmeres and
sapphires. and 60 abroad. and never have
to count my change again. Congratu-
late me-"
"You are joking" cried Miss Eulalie.
''Then it's the best joke in the world!
It's no joke to the other girls, let me tell
you,"
"You are going to marry Captain VAL
entine? Do you know that he is old
enough"
ITO know BETTER
"Do you love him, Isabel?''
81 like him well enough. 1 love his
money"
isabel, dou't do it. You will SOW
the wind and reap the whirlwind.
can't allow it; the idea of you marrying
him! 1t is too preposterous. too mercen-
AIRY. Why, he was once lover of my
own," pursued Miss Eulalie, forgetting
herself.