The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-09-23

turesque of toilets, appeared SO dazzling, that
the girl felt as if she had wandered into
some strange grown-up fairy-land from
which want and unpaid bills were shut
out
Captain Bragleigh's good-natured atten-
tions-the gentleman felt kind of pity for
plain women, and made point of paying
them harmless compliment or two when
not more agreeably engaged-FIosss little
caressing ways, and Ciarissa Dering's gli-
tar completed the spell.
The dull, persistent pain that had ached at
Marjory's heart all day was insensitly
smoothed by these unwonted pleasures; and
then was not the beloved name she had set
so high above all earthly names spoken
more than once in her presence, thrilling
her with new and sad delight? Indeed
| Humphreys influence seemed to perv;.le the
pretty drawing room Ike sweet odor
Miss Sebright was shown several of his
photosraphs-he had never thought of civ
ing her one, and they were the first She
had seen-and was told some little history
connected with each.
His songs lay ON the piano. and among
them one or two which lad been written in
the dear old den wherein, at that very mo-
ment, no doubt, poor old Bob was sitting az
his work all alone, while his brothers wild
ow and children were fast asleep in Mar
jory's room.
How well she remembered when Hum
phrey wrote the words which Mrs. Derng
was even then singing. How she had
looked up from her work and suggested the
rhymes to him that evening. because he was
! tired and disguised with his uncongenial
. hack work and appealed to her GROSSLY for
help.
Had she not invented a brand-new legend
about the Pasaon-fower there and then
which he had worked into his series of
1Velodious Bl0ssonts for Schreimer and Co.!
As Clarissi behring's rich, wel-trained
voice rang through the ROOM singing Jas
per's not too striking woris-whch were so
sacred to one istener-Marjory, sitting in
her quiet corner with clasped hands and
wet lashes. gave thanks in silence for the
| dear old days, and reminded herself gladly
that. whatever came or went thereafter 10
one could rob her OF the bright beloved past
nazzied and bewildered as she was by the
long gay evening, it was a relief to the shy
! little coverness to find herself again in her
| own pleasant room, where the IRE had
! been replenishel, and where she discovered
q daintly- furnished writing-table all ready
| and waiting for the composition of her first
! letter to Bob which she determined should
be written before she slept.
| ''Yes, | know" she replied YEARLY to
! some inward voice, Il an long to lie
| down in the dark aud think over what l
! have heard; but Bob must have his letter,
! poor Old darling. may not get time to
write tomorrow, and l have all my life to
| think of-hm."
! But, hardly had the blue Gressing-gowr
been donned and Miss Sebright's ripping
! brown hair brushed and braided up for tue
night, than Il gentle tap was heard at the
| door, and then Mrs. Derings voice as gent
! ly requesting admission.
alariory gave sigh to her unwritten
| letter, but opened the door with a very
| good grace.
The little widow had changed her velvet
! gown, too, for white quilted peigror trim
| med with white fur and scented like a
sacl,et, and her glossy black hair was un-
| bound and fell over aer shoulders, adding
considerably to the youthtulness of her ed.
| pearance. Marjory thought she had never
seen prettler woman.
''How cosy you look" cried Mrs. Der
ing, shuddering a little. My maid has
stupidly allowed the fire in my dressing.
| room to go out, SO l have come to ask
you if l may thaw myself o little by
yours"
Marjory, of course, wheeled forward
her chintz-covered armchair, and begged
Mrs. Dering to sit down.
ut IS just the hour for condolences, &C.
cording to the noveists, isn't it 2" laughed
her visitor, as she executed another very
natural shudder, tapping at the same time
| stool at her feet as a hint to Miss Sebright
to sit down beside her II peeped into
Floss's room as passed by, but she is al
ready asleep-worn out, poor child, sup
pose, by her daily struggle to appear
happy"
Marjory wondered secretly what struggle
could be needful. Was not little Miss Der
ing loved by Humphrey Lamont? But she
waited to hear more
Il am not sorry to have this opportunity
of speaking to you alone, my dear Miss
Sebright," continued Mrs. Dering, kind
ly holding the girls cold hand in both of
hers 1T will be better to explain to YOU
the exact position in which Floss stands
because fear you will find her a somewhat
inattentive pupil-and, indeed, 1 can hardly
blame the child"
"Miss Dering is engaged? questioned
Marjory quietly. THAT was what l under
stood from few words she said to-day as
we drove from the station"
Engaged? No, poor darling" sighed
the mother. "And that is the cause of all
our trouble. She is not engaged, but am
AFRAID her affections are seriously-deeply
involved, though, in my natural anxiety for
her worldly advancement, blinded myself
to the fact until lately"
Again Mrs. Dering paused, perhaps wish
ing to be called upon foran explanation. But
Marjory found it impossible to speak 1t
was only with difficulty that she could keep
her face quiet and her hand from trembling
in the lsdy's warm clasp
1T is not pleasant, is it, to acknowledge
| that one has made mistake p frankly asked
the little widow. Il thonght l was only
doing q mothers duty in dismissino Mr.