Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-09-13

stood here with his face downcast, in
conscious shame for his relations with
this fallen creature! She must ply her
nefarious acts upon the other man, trad
ing on his chivalry. Mrs. French's face
hardened as her heart grew hard again.
The crouching wonan lifted her tear
stained visage, and came to stand be-
fore the other, with pleading written on
every line of her bearing
81 have no right to even thank you,"
she said, "and yet 1 would lay down my
life for your pleasure. Don't think Go
not feel my shanle-I even recognize the
mockery of my being wrapped in this"
she bent her lips gratefully and rever-
emily to the airy gauze about her. 1t
was Mary French's bridal veil that she
had brought out hastily when their pro.
ject had been found to lack such an ac-
cessory. "Oh, there is nothing like
woman's kindness to womanl The
love OF man, at best, is only selfish pas
sion. In all the greatest crises of wo-
mans lite. she wants a woman's minis
| tering. / have been so long shut out
| from that sweet consolation-oh,f tor my
very souls sake, speak to me, and help
mep
But Mrs. French stepped back and
answered coldly:
81 am sorry for your distress. think
your unfortunate mother will be needing
me. My parlor is at your service, az
anything you may require to recover
your composure. Mr.. Locke, my hospit-
ality is in your hands"
| A fire at their corral disabled the stage
company's rolling stock. so that the out
going coach was not in readiness to leave
until the lamps lighted in the "Continu-
al" saloon twinkled their reflections in
the rlalodorous pool above the dam.
The usual knot of loungers stood in
waiting as il swung around to the post
Office under the cottonwoods. Young
Daniel, standing despondently, near by,
spoke to the driver.
"Wait, Jim, George Locke will bring
you another passenger shortly"
Jim put out his under lip, in jealousy
of his importance.
That's all right. / know. Told me
he'd see the old lady down to the rail-
road. George is good fellow-for a
rebel that was.'
The crewd took up the word, "Old
lady," ""Carrie's mother" "Going back, u
Jack, how did Locke settle that bust.
uess? He's kept it mighty num-"
"Ask him." said young Daniel briefly
"Seems's il it's kind o rough for Car.
rie to have to play tonight" hazarded
one rugged prospector in overalls.
Rough nothing. Business is bust
ness" said pert, young accountant.
"Wonder how the firmll like the
lonesome kind of tunes she's giving III
o-night."
"Go slow on that Here's Locke anC
the old lady"
As the pair settled back in their seats
! steady flaw of wind set for some mo
, men,s thither, and brought the singer
voice and words SO clearly that Jim de
layed, with whip in air, to catch the ol'
r familiar strain:
"Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seen
, womanhood's years have been only dream
Never hereafter to wake or to weep
Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep!
Mrs. Piatt half rose from her place.
"That-oh, that voice sounds like M
poor dead daughter'sP And as tn
, coach lurched away, she hid Eer face o.
George Locke's shoulder. with an out
burst of tears that were the first she ha
shed in her sad, sorrowful sojourn there
San Fancisco ArgOnant.