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

The twilight was descending, dark and
chill the lurid clouds which threatened
a coming storm piled in sullen, ragged
masses along the southern horizon, and
still Eunice Layard sat on the old stone
stile, patting her pretty foot on the rust
ling heap of dead leaves, while the fresh
winds painted her cheeks of the softest
damask pink, and the long, over droop-
ing lashes hid the shining of her clear
gray eye.
For it was the old, old story of our
lifetimes over again-Love contending
for its empire, while the little queen of
hearts stood coquettishly by, and enjoy
ed the measuring of lances.
Mr.. George Hardenbrook, with his
hands in his pockets. and rather unbe-
coming fur cap drawn down over his
square forehead and shaggy eyebrows,
certainly did not wear a very romantic
exterior, but, then, does not the old
proverb say: "Never judge by appear
ances ~ while Mark Tyrrel, a straight,
bright eyed young fellow, whose simple
rustic attire had something of the pictur-
esque in its style and arrangement, lean
ed against the trunk. of a liteless sugar
maple, and watched Eunice's every move
ment, as if she were precious, priceless,
diamond, and he her guardian.
81 make no professions" said Mr.. Har-
deubrook, nodding his fur cap dogmatic-
ally; "but I'll be a good husband to you,
Miss Eunice, and it is well known that
the Hardenbrook farm is the best in the
neighborhood, let alone the water priv
ileges and the saw-mills. amt young,
but then, again, l amt old! My house
was newly furnished last fall, and there
amt nothin' you'd mind to ask for,
Miss Eunice, that you couldn't have right
straight OFF, --
you're very kind" said the modern
Helen of Troy, with demure culver Of
the long eyelashes.
And then she glanced toward Mark
Tyrel, as if mutely to question what he
had to say for himself.
81 can offer no such brilliant induce
ments as Mr.. Hardenbrook," said the
young man, quietly, though as he stood
there with folded arms, there was
slight accent of satire in the tones of his
voice. Il am self made man, and my
fortunes remain yet to be achieved"
ELnice laughed.
LAS if were to be sold to the highest
bidder" sand she, haughtily.
l"You are laboring under a mistake,
Eunice," said HardeIbrook, eagerly; al
= assure you we have no such idea You
see, happened to meet Tyrrel. and it
transpired where he was going, and 80 /
told him honestly that was bound in the
same direction. So, says l, Let's go on
and have it out like men,, and, says he,
Agreed So here we are"
,"he speaks truly, Miss Layard," as
scented Mark Tyr-el, as Eunice glanced
inquiringly at him. "We did agree to
lay our future at your feet, and abide the
decision you were pleased to make"
"And," Eunice's eyes glittered scorn-
i, fully again, "you. expected me to choose
= o husband on the spot, as cool,y as if ]
were selecting new dress or set OF
china" sls .
"Well," said Hardenbrook, "a girl must
I choose some time, and don't see why
, now isn't as good time as any"
.. II, at least, do not wish to hurry YOU
choice" said Mark, quietly.
i,s And Eunice looked little vexed-sht
would, perhaps, have preferred some
what more of a true lover like ardor.
f. {, Gentlemen" she said, calmly, 81 be
lieve, according to the popular creed o
b.the world, have reason to feel very
much obliged to you. But shall take &
week in which to consider what is bes
to do"
~ Very well" said George Hardenbrook
c5mplacently. Il amt afraid of waiting
The more you think about the Harden
brook farm, and the water privileges
~ sand the newly furnished house.
broke in Eunice, laughing. "But III
getting cold, and / want to get home"
"May / have the pleasure" begar
Mark, but Eunice shook her pretty littl'
hooded head resolutely.
aNo, you may not" she said. 81 prefe
to 90 home alone.
:; And she stood by her word.
y ."She is very willlul," said Mr.. Harden
brook, discontentedly, as he watched
the scarlet shawl disappear, futterine
bit of color, down the chill autumnal
pathway. al shall break her of all that
sort of thing"
"when you get her." said Tyrrel, dry
ly."
"Yes, of course, when I get her. It's
very pretty and enticing, and all that
sort of thing, in the girl you're making
love to but in q wife"
at will be time to talk about that
when you have wife" said Mark Tyr
rel, and George felt a sort of uneasy con-
sciousness that his rival was laughing at
him.