The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-02-17

ONiue tO4l lCCui. l. Will 20 there nt once.
William Gorton bowed.
''Sutfer ne to 90 and announce your visit,
sir" he said, walking toward the door,
which opened upon the corridor and private
staircase leading to Mr.. Ovington's room.
CRANKY Du,nont placed his strong hand
upon the coachmans shoulder and put him
asie.
81 will GO unannOunced."
Maud Ovington was seated by the side Of
her ather, gray-haired, fine-looking man
of si-,ty years, when the General entered the
room.
Tn. General felt thrill Of relief as he
gazet at the lovely face OF his betrothed.
A devoted daughter seated by her fathers
side, yatchtul Of his every glance, eager to
administer to his slightest want, ready to
antic pate his most idle wish.
''Io doubt her would be to doubt Heaven
itself'' thought CRANKY Dumont, us he ex-
chan ,ed the commonplace greetings of cere-
mon: GUS life. Then. with graver manner,
he addressed himself to his future father-in-
law. ''My dear Ovington," he said, ''hav-
lrg :scertained the state of your health,
perh''ps you will permit me to have few
minutes conversation with Maud?'
Certainly" replied 1Ir. Ovington, laugh-
ing: "a few hours, if you like. Pray chatter
away to your hearts content, young people,
wEi!e amuse myself with my newspaper"
"Pardon me, sir, hut mean private con-
vers,tion."
''Irivate conversation" exclaimed the inn
petns.,s old man, locking rather fercely at
his intended son-iu-law. "Pray what can
yon have to say to Maud that her father can
not hear. ell, Granby;"
Mss Ovington neither started nor changed
cc:":, but her breath went and can't rather
more rapidly than before.
She rose from her seat before the General
had lime to reply to her fathers question.
whatever CRANKY may have to say to
me, dearest fatheH" she said, ''you Will not.
an sure, deny me- the privilege Of hearing
it.
Again the General felt relieved by her in
nocsnt candor.
"Were she other than she appears" he
thought, ''would she thus seek an interview
III which l might attempt to unmask her?"
''Inu viii rot refuse TO let me hear what
Gra:ib: has to say, dearest father?" repeated
Maud;
''No, will not, my DEAR" replied Mr..
Cvirgson. Take him to the libra,s. and
hear this tremendous secret, whatever it
may b.. But pray come back to your lonely
old father rs soon as YOU can. and bring
Granby with you; want to ask his opinion
ofa leader il this mornings H:,cld. There,
go along, my darling; but don't forg1t the
equity old man to whom your presence is
sunshine"
If Mr.. Ovington had been the most deter
mined matchmaker, he could not have said
ANYTHING more calculated to charm .Ae a.si-
az.cad OF his daughter.
Mss OVington led the way into the library.
NJ -
the.Goor cf this apartment behind her. "tell
lne. dearest, bra:est and best, what is i.
that troubles you, fer caa see the shadows
of trouble in those truthful brown eyes. and
The darkness Of sorrow upon that open brow
Tell me-, ny beloved, what has happened:~
The General clasped The rounded arm Of
his betrcthed within his strong hand and
drew ler toward the window. Then, with
Lis disengaged hand, he drew aside the volu-
1niaors lace curtains which shaded the win
dow and admitted the full glory Of autuna
sunshine.
The broad stream Of light fell upon the
face Of Miss Ovinston.
81 want to see your eyes, Maud" said the
General. g-avely. Il want to look into your
eyes while / speak to you, and see vhether
truth CT falsaLco1 Turks in their azure
DEPTHS"
The glance which met his own seemed
truthful as the gaze Of an angel rs Maud
Oviuston replied to these strange words.
"yoG surely cannot fear the result Of such
a test, CRANKY" she murmured. "What-
ever foolish fancy may possess you, you can
have no thought SO foolish as q doubt Of
mel
You speak fearlessly, Maud"
"Why should speak otherwise? You see
I an not afraid OF the broad sunlight. and I
look you boldly in the face. What have
you to say to ne, dearest?'
''SIaud Cvinoton, there is conspiracy
agains: Your bonor!" CRANKY Dumont TT
tered these words with terrible solemnity.
but there was no shadow Of change in the
fair face into which he looked. There are
those in this city vile enough to accuse you
OF intamy-ray, more, of crime.'
Miss Oviugton started, and her bright
eyes flashed Indignantly, but it was with the
indignation Of innocence. No change of
color betrayed either terror or dismay.
The blush roses on her cheeks never faded
from their delicate hue.
.'Of crime, Maud Ovington," repeated
General Dumont-''of that deadly and una
tonable wickedness which is the worst and
blackest in the hideous catalogue Of crime"
"What crime?" she exclaimed.
s'The taking of human life!"
The General paused before uttering tie
last two words-they seemed to jar with the
bright sunshine and the fair face looking
into his own. Il.
''There are madmen enough in this city" :"
said Maud Ovington, with hauteur which
was no stranger to her; ''but did not sup
pose you would be so foolish as to listen to
them!'
The General released the arm which he
had retained in his powerful grasp through
out this brief dialogue, and walked toward
the door.
Enough, Maudr' he exclaimed; II never
was base enough to doubt you, but wished
rro,,, x-o,,r ovvn limo fo hoor how mad ho1