The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-04-26

Why, Ernest" said Miss Howard
mnen ne was more than usually absent,
what can have come over v0ny 7 could
almost believe that your heart Was ut
Dunkellon Hall"
Why should it have strayed there
MIA Howardr asked Ernest, rousin9
Why / really think you have not
been the same since Frances Leslie went
away with Edith and as pity is akin to
!ots' !ot,, you % know. nov. perhaps you are falling
Ridiculous," said Ernest, colorine.
Besides, what should Miss Leslie re-
quire my pity for %
''Well, think she does need il. for 7
verify believe the insipid little school
g1rl has allowed her fancy to run away
with your dark eyes and curly hair. T
cannot think what she can see in you
myself; but tastes differ, you know"
she concluded, with cOquettish tan of
her tan and glance from her beamiuq
eye.
This speech was great mistake If
Mlss Howard really wished to keep the
handsome Ernest in her train of adorers,
for the very thought of q gentle, loving
girl feeling an interest in him was suffi-
Gent to chain the wandering fancy of the
lnlpulsive young man but when that
beng who had he begun to acknowledge
to himself was dear to him was the one so
thought Of, it riveted the chain which
bound his to Frances forever.
Before the end Of the week he was at
Dunkellon Hall, where the warm vel
come Of Gerald, the impressive kindness
of the Viscounk and, more than all, the
tear that dimmed tho eye Of Frances,
restored his happy spirits, and soon the
old Hall rang with his musical laughter.
Tho Visoountess was very happy
in the presence Of Edith and Ernest o
secret sympathy bound them together,
aud they remained for hours in her So
ciety, never weary of listening to her
gentle voice.
Gegald, too, although younger than
Edith, felt that earth held nothing SO
pure, and good and beautiful Hers
had been the first female voice that had
spoken words Of kindness to him, and
lie had learned to dwell upon her words,
and waAeh her charming face with the
most absorbing interest,"
Edith was smaller than Gerald. and she
was 20 touchingly cfildish in her manner
that the difference in their ages would
not heHe been guessed indeed. Gerald
| looked the elder.
Lord Dowmont's health was % delicate
that H. eDowagsr had earnestly enkeated
NJ ta1nnvs ,EnG1and for . few months.
trusting that change Of scene would re-
instate him in hin usual health.
He had submitted to his mothers
wishas from . dntitul dcsire to spare her
aged heart from any pang on his &C.
count, and, attended by . couple of seq
wants, he left London for PariA
This was an opportunity Reginald had
long been looking forward 10. Aware Of
Lord Bowmont's fond protecting love
for Edith, he had not dared to put into
operation . plan he had organized for
her abduction. Edward, he knew, had
been called to active service, and was
leaving England in week, 80 he had
nothing to fear from him but he had
resolved to make one more effort to win
| her heart
Edward has just arrived, to spend o
day Cr two before his departure, when
Reginald returned 10 Dunkellon Hall.
The struggles that Edward had made
to overcome mis- supposed improper love
had added ten years to his age, and 9
sternness to his lace not consistent with
l
than ever in his splendid uniform, and
eye soft look OF suppressed pain that
was touchine to his friends, who could
| onlv svmpe*hise without being able to
Guess the cause Of the change.
.sDeareet Edvard. said Edith, as she
pressed his hand with her delicate little
fingers, and looked proudly into his face,
.show much you have changed mot for
the worse, dear brother, for you are
! handsomer than ever but you look 80
much older and sterner. suppose 1t ls
Very likely. darling. he said. but
why would You be . soldier? II
was very cruel 70 leave ~ al and, be-
sideA l have heard you say that you
Lisliked it
II had several reasons dear Edith;
do not like an inactive life. for one
.1nd another thing Is that expec,
| you are in love, . Fanny says and par
haps the lady il naughty. and will MOI
| love you IN Tutu1n, or" -
1T is nothing Of the kind, Edith, he
said, in tone which he vainly endeavored
| to make steady. II cannot bear to heal
yoq jest ON such subject it is wrong
and"
..Oh Edv.zd!" she interrupted, with
tears in her eyea
Forgive me, I did not mean 10 be
harsh, but do NOT speak of such thing
again. I can never love anyone as ! dc
you, my siatex," be added
I II lola Fanny you could noe be II
| lOvo-But + 6n o1ending again, and
you have grown 90 pale. What can
do for yo1, dor EwArd7"
"Nothing." he whispered 1T VII
pass; do not 1peak I"
"CAn I be of any suHea Fal-
conlri" s1d Rssinsld. Who lid been