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

p"S'i"H '""Iy' GU tiiC SOulIS gun III
secret oft times cndeavored to convince
herself that he in reality loved her with
the devotion which he avowed, and
sought for some reason to bring convic-
ton to her heart that she might trust
him implicitly.
AT length one evening, after listening
to one OF his passionate pleadings, she
answered: s"Ah! Mr." Huntly, you have
often before poured the same tale into
other ears, | doubt not; do not seek to
win an innocent girls love solely for
the pleasure of breaking her hearth
cannot put faith in. what you say"
"Good heavens, Miss Alice! Listen.
Away down III Florida is my mother
and my brother, my only one; they are
the only creatures who have ever loved
me or on whom have ever bestowed
the slightest affection, beside your own
self. / swear to you that I speak the
truth by every thing that men hold sac
red. Only tell me that you are not in-
different to me. Tell me-" he contin-
ned, bending over and selling both her
hands with passionate, feverish clasp,
"tell me, answer me yes or no! Do
you love me?" I
Alice freed her hands from his grasp
and covered her blushing face with
them. She would not tell a falschood
and say that she did not, yet she hesi-
tated to aver the truth. Leon noted her
hesitancy, and arguing favorable SEN
timent for himself, pressed his suit, land
at length drew from her a timid yet ten
der avowal of her love.
Huntly lost no time, but the next day
he sought an interview with Mr.. Snede,
and in few short plain words put him
in possession of his story. Hitherto
Mr.. Snede had rather liked the young
artist, had invited him to his house to
dine, and otherwise showed him good
deal Of attention. But when he saw
the course matters were taking, he be-
gan to look coldiy on the young man,
and now when he asked him plainly for
his daughter, the man Of the world at
first gave a nast refusal. Bit Leon was
firm. lie knew that Alice was of age,
and legally her own mistress, so he
told her father that no matter what in
fluences were brought to bear, he was
determined to marry Alice as soon as
his affairs permitted him taking wife.
Mr.. Snc1c was too much 4 man of the
world to think Of using force to cause a
rupture between the lovers, so for the
present he consented to allow the en-
gagemcnt to stand, simply STIMULATING
that Leon must wait a year ERE he
claimed his bride, doubling not that in
that time he would find the means to
break up the engagement. He had al
ways proposed to himself that his
daughter should make a brilliant match
and he had no mind that she should
thwart him by throwing herself away
on this "vagabond artist"
Leon returned to his studio and Ia
bored increasingly, putting Ivy his earn
ings with Jealous care, growing more
industrious and parsimonious as his lit
tie hoard increased.
Six months few by, during which
time he every day summed himself in
Alice's blue eyes, and offered up the in
cense of his worship. On her he Law
ished all the wealth Of his affections,
and she delighted to return his love.
But Leon had one fault pre-eminent.
He loved wine. AS soon as his be-
trothed became aware Of this she ex-
acted from him promise to refrain
from indulgence, warning him the first
transgression she should consider as a
tact enunciation of the fact that he was
weary of her, and that she should break
the engagement. Leon promised and
faithfully kept his promise. Alice, with
all her sweet disposition, her gentle
nature and kindly heart, was tease,
and poor Leon was well nigh, driven to
the verge of distraction on several occa-
sions. He bore it all, however, with
out murmur-but there was one thing
against which he rebelled. Alice was
fond of admiration, and after the nov
city of her engagement had worn off
she tried her lovers patience continue
ally by the attentions she permitted to
be paid her. On one occasion Leon re-
quested her to 60 driving with him; she
declined; he suggested the following
day again she refused, alleging as an
excuse that she had already made an
engagement to go driving that evening.
"The day after, then," pleaded Leon.
"No," answered, Alice. 81 shall be
weary of driving when that time
comes" u
a"You mean," answered Lecn bitter
ly, "that you are weary OF me! Take
| care, Alice; | am no boy to be made the
Eplaything of, your humor. This is a
little matter. Go with me, will you
/ not?"
"Do you dare to threaten me?" cried
Alice. 81 will neither 60 driving with
you this evening, Mr.. Huntly, or any
tother time hereafter" So saying she
arose aud without another word, Or
without staying to listen to Icons
apologies or pleading, she left the
room. 4
: Poor Huutly rushed to his room in
a paroxism of grief and anger. II
hurt him more than he could bring
alf to own. He spent the night in
stless excitement, and the
called at the residence