The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-03-15

"o'hd shut himself up In his conntrv.
nouse and live and die In obscuritv
IN pursuance Of this plan he sold ont
c1 the Guards and took his denartnra
1rDm town amidst the kindest exuress;ons
o1 sympathy and affection.
For two whole months ma a1lhcrad IN
MS resolution; but as the country air re-
stored his appetite and the regular hours
HIS fresh color, he began to look mon
she world with less despondinu eve
aod acknowledged that the society Of
che friend might be bearsble: 10 he
wrote to Eugene Bowmont as the leost
sxcltable of his friends, to come aud rms
ticate with him.
Eugene was anxious to know how the
poor blind old man he had robbed of hi,
daughter was and he accepted the invita-
uon and came down to the hall.
1t was early spring when Eugene ar
r1ved The frssh young green of the
trees and hedges was very soothing to
the eye, fatiyued with the false glitter OF
gas and artificial light.
The birds were twittering their morn
ing hymns when he descended from his
room to walk across the footpath leading
to the church.
What bitter reoollections now crowded
his mind! Through this very pathway
he had come hundreds of times to meet
tie pure. blushing girl who was now q.
sad broken-hearted woman.
he hurried on as if to shake off these
painful thoughts until he came to the
stlle where he had parted with Geraldine.
As he placed his hand on it to vault over
he was conscious of female form Just in
his pathway. He looked up and recog-
nized Constance Somerset She had seen
him and exclaimed, in tone of gladness,
Ar. Bowmont! Oh, how glad 1 am to
see youi"
Eugene shook her hand in silence,
feeling how unworthy he was to press
those little fingers,
"Oh, Mr.. Bowmont," she continued,
eagerly, "you will be sorry to hear that
poor papa" Her voice failed, and
she burst into tears.
"Nhat, dear Constancea Not dead
not dead, he asked, eagerly.
'No," said Constance; "but very i'll.
1 know he is dying, but they do not tell
ne SO, and l knownotwhat to do. Geral-
dine has not answered my letters for q
long time; fear she is i'll, too''
lis Mr.. somerset sensible :" asked Eu-
"Oh, yes; and continually asks for my
sister. L have but this instant left his
side. Oh, sir, she continued, clasping
her hands, "pray advise me what to Go |!
I have no one in the world to consult"
My dear Constance, dry up your tears;
I will myself go to town and fetch your
sister"
"WM you-oh, will you do this for
me!"
"This very hour, dear; SO prepare your
father. If she is able to travel she shall
be here by tonight"
Eugene hurried away to excuse himself
10 ths Viscount, and in half an hour was
lying in an express train to London.
Geraldine had been two months at Mrs.
Moss's when Eugene came to conduct
her to her fathers bedside She was sit
ting quietly in AIRS. Moss's best room
when Eugene arrived She had recov-
cred her health but her memory was
clouded still, and she was but the shadow
Of the Geraldine of old
Miss Somerset, said Eugene, speak
ing quietly and coldly, II have some
thing to tell you of your father
Geraldine started violently and became
deadly pale.
Don't speak of him!" she said.
hoarsely.
"I must; he is very IL"
"ul?" she gasped
Eyes; and desires to see you"
81 cannot, oynn0s see him!"
"You must; / have promised Con-
stance to fetch you to him. VIII you
Gomez"
Geraldine burst into tears and wept
convulsively. She had scarcely recov-
cred her former strength of mind, and
any excitement unnerved her and made
her weak and helpless.
Eugene rang the bell
"Mlrs. Moss, he said, "be so good as
TO pack up q few Eecessaries for Miss
somerset; she is going to the bedside Of
q relative who is exceedingly i'll, and the
train leaves in an hour.
In a few minutes Geraldine was seated
in cab by his side. He did not speak,
for his voice seemed to increase her an
guisll, and they accomplished the journey
in silence
1t vas almost dark when they alightcd
from the train.
Miss Somerset. he said, speaking ut
last very respectfully and coldly, "your
sister is surprised that you have not writ
ten to her lately. You lave been very i'll;
that must be your excuse do you under
stand?"
Perfectly" she said. in low tone.
The cab stopped at the door Of the
parsonage, and In another instant Geral-
Zine was in the arms of her sister.
'Oh, how thankful am that you have
come, dearest !" said Constance. "But,
darling, how pale aud thin you are!"
Your sister has been very i'll, Con-
stllce," said Eugene. advancing aud
supporting Geraldine as she swayed to
and fro. "Let me assist her to walk in. u
Geraldine sat on the old familiar sofa,
with all the objects of her childhood
round her. Tears relieved her over