The Opelousas courier., 1884-01-19
welled up in my eyes-was in the

Ou, ucdI, ucdI IOul! am shNh
found myself with both arms round a
manly neck, and my fearful face up
lifted to a soft, golden mustache very
much higher than my head. Il am so
glad! Of course grannie could not
come; but she sent all kinds of MESA
ges; and you win never leave me
again; and, oh, it is delicious!' l con-
tinued. giving Tom a most sisterly en-
brace.
1t struck me, however, even in that
first agitatet moment, that Tom did
not quite s..em to know what to do
with me; It then, poor fellow, he had
been in Inds so long. Still even in
India I surSAese men kiss their sisters
REALLY, fkkdam, I fear he began,
when the doNgsr opened, and a great tall
gaunt, angular old lady walked in and
stood petrifed, gazing at the spectacle
of a gentleman who was red and I'M
comfortable, and a young woman, red
der and more uncomfortable still, who
had just unl .:sped her arms from the
young mans shoulders, and whose al
fectionate kisses seemed to be echoing
still round the great lofty room. The
old lady recovered speech first.
Nephew john" she said solemnly,
in a voice with a strong Scottish &C
cent, II must confess | am surprised!
I had no idea-but this young lady is
doubtless" Here she paused for
information.
81 assure you, Aunt Arabella,' said
Nephew John. who looked very con-
fused, there is some painful mean
pleasant-at least something This
young lady is Well, really, my dear
aunt, l have not the smallest or re-
hottest idea who this young lady is"
They both looked so helpless and SO
6bewildered that / plucked up courage
and said, with all the dignity 7 could
muster, as / took off my unlucky veil:
Il am Miss Hetton, and have come to
meet my brother, who has just returned
from India and who telegraphed to me
to meet him here at eight o'clock
this morning"
"But I am John Hetton, and l have
just returned from India" said he.
"My brothers name is Tom, not
john / answered, becoming almost
fearful again in my confusion; ''and /
am sure, quite sure now. that you are
not my brother / added weakly.
Il have not that honor, madam, GER
tainly," said the gentleman; "but /
knew Tom Hetton well in India; and
1 am delighted to have the pleasure of
meeting his sister," he continued, with
a low bow; and / actually detected a
smile lurking under the golden mus
tache.
Here "Aunt Arabella, who had sub
sided into a very upright chair, and
who had been shaking her head and
uttering under-toned EXPLANATIONS in
an unknown tongue, began to show
signs of becoming ineligible, when.
for the third time, a waiter threw open
the door and ushered in a gentleman.
who I felt at once was my Tom; but
SO depressed had my miserable impul
siveness made me feel that / followed
Aunt Arabella's example, and, sinking
into a chair, looked on helplessly.
1eTomf'
"John, my old namesaket"-and tht
two men shock hands heartily. "Why
how is this2 have just come by 2
and O., and had no idea you had lief
India till they told me just nov tina
Major Hetton was here-as usual,
suppose, thinking we yer relatives.
"Oh, I came home in the old Hima
laya,s said Major Hetton, $50 of cours
left Bombay a week or two earlierf'
II expect my sister, said Tom; ant
then he seemed to perceive that Their
were ladies in the room, and made a
apologetic bow.
do not know whether | took an,
notice of it; supposed ! acknowledge
it il some way; but / do not really r.
member. An earthquake, torpedoes
nothing would have surprised me 9
that moment. / felt callous. hardened
Major Hettonl And / had huge
/, himl
, ssThis lady,, said the Major cheer
fully, lis my aunt, Miss Mactaggal
and this young lady is, | believe
thinkI understand-yours sister, Mis-
Hetton.n
my little Mary?' said Toms kin
!. voice; and then / found myself he'll
|. very closely in his strong arms; and, !
. / hid my burning face on his breast.
cried as if my heart would break wit
vexation and pleasure and annoyant
! all at once.
When 4 looked up, Major Hetton. an
. his aunt had vanished, and very COZ
! forting were Mrs. Elliot's sympath
and m brothers. roodsnatured bante