The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-08-25

other. Hereward has always avoided him
whenever he possibly could. But tonight
he could not do this without annoying the
Countess, and that he would not do.
Lady Gladys wears the black velvet dress
she generally wears in the evening" It is ex-
cee.lingly becoming to her white arms and
neck, and to her very fa,r soft hair. Tonight
she wears ivory earrings, and nm ivory chain
and locket round her throat. Hiss Middleton
wears her favorite colors, white and scarlet,
This little lady looks rather distraite also.
but 1t IS not because Lord H eriot is not pres
ent. 1t Is because she is fain to confess her
self beaten for once in her life, and that by
poor penniless sizar, without a second coat!
She has at last given up all hope of subduin.
Herewards stubborn heart Herfascinations
had never taken effect after SO long period
as has interposed since she first brought them
to bear on this errant knight There was q
good deal of pique consequent on this dis
covcry, ut first, but it has since worn away.
and she is content to be his friend, if more
than her friend he willnot be. But the next
feeling consequent On the discovery is a too
late remorse for the lover who had succumb-
ed without any comlitions Of surrender
The red drawing room is more brilliantly
lighted than usual to-niGht This is another
fancy of the CountesA She has acknowl-
edged hope that Lord Heriot will arrive be-
fore the evening is ovsns
Miss Middleton asks Herewnrd to SING.
The Countess likes to hear him sing. and
they think it will divert her thought little.
Mr.. Cartwright hates to see Hereward seat
himself at the piano, and for that very rea
son perhaps Hereward likes 20 do it. And
Lady Gladys comes to the ottoman near the
piano to listen.
This enrages Cartwright and he follows
her sulkily. But it gives Hereward an i'm
petus which astonishes himself. He sings
the ''Stirrup Cup" and Is be sings he raises
his eyes to meet those of Lady Gladys Pali-
ser. She is looking at him, and Mr.. Cart
wright is looking at her. H&evard holds
her gaze with his till the verse Is finished,
and then, striking the last notes of the ac-
compartment, he rises from the piano and
walks away to the window. The curtains
have not yet been drawn, and without hes
black and silver moonlight picture of the
lake and distant woods.
Miss Middleton takes takes possession of
the piano when Herewnrd leaves it, and sings
through her repertoire. The music prevents
the Countess from hearing, and being excited
by every sound in the house. But while she
is singing, the door of the drawing room
opens quietly, and man in gray comes into
the room. hsss
'Blount!" cries ths Doctor. and Hereward
turns from the window yith very glad sur
prise TO meet his friend "a
After shafdng hands Gith Hrsward, Blount
turns to the Countess.
II came down from the north this morn
ing, ho explains, 'tand thought should ,;et
out at Kingsleigh just to wish Heriot many
happy returns. Where is he?"
he has glanced round the room in search of
his cousin to no purpose.
"He is in town, the Countess says, turn
ing anxious eyes on the manta}piece clock.
81 had hoped he would have been here to-
night, but It is too late to expect him now
Have you had anything to eat? Then 60
down at once to Purcell There is supper
waiting in the little dining room, by a happy
chance :. and the Countess smiles with her
old gracious smile.
Blount does not wtht supper however,
and, with laughing apology for his morn
ing coat, makes himself ut home in five min
utes. $3.50
He looks very well, and as stout a. ever
Hereward listens to his gay voice, and is glad
to hear it gay. B|opnt and Miss Middleton
have met without1 sVeey preceptible emo
tiQp beyond an add6d 0&pf in Blount's face.
Ehb merely turned o1 her music stool and
returuH his greeting Nth the careless indif.
of practiced ooquette.
T1a Enged moth is great acquisition to
to the party. He and Lady Gladys have
been friends from childhood, and have plenty
to say to each other. He takes chair BE-
side her ottoman aAd monopolises her en-
tirely. Lady Gladys turns to him with an
air Of relief, and 4r. cartwright finds that it
is Late, and goes home to Nettlewood in o
idtticulArly surly humor. Blount treats him
vefy coolly; but when he is gone he takes
Lady Gladyss 6iamond-aecked hand in his
aud stoops his head to whisper some laugh
ing words into her ear. Then great shadow
falls on her bright face, and she does not
smile or look happy again that night.
The next day Hereward does not see much
OF his friend. After breakfast the Countess
sends for him, and keeps him with her all
the morning. And after luncheon the girls
make him go with them on round Of visits
in the pony carriage. Blount likes that kind
Of thing, leaning back lazily while Lady
Gladys ''tools" her pretty grays along the
shady roads. Perhaps he also likes to look
at the laughing dark eyes under the wreath
Of dog-roses and gauzy net opposite. At all
events Hereward has no company that day
except his books.
At about three O'Clock in the afternoon
Hereward grows very weary Of this silent So
ciety, and betakes himself to the river He
often spends hours in the little boat on the
reach below the mill Sometimes Miss Mid
dleton and Eyie come down for roy, and,
il Hcreward does not greatly care for Shis in
terruption of his reveries. he is at least gall
liant enough to keep his feelings locked in his
own breast.
Tho weather has been for some days past
almost summer-ike in its warmth and soft
ness. There has never been 90 fine an April