The Opelousas courier., 1884-01-26
man." Fred declared GROSSLY as he re-
snmed his leathern chair

the house. IL he consulted his laboret
notes upon some especially favored his
torical or poetical work, his equanimit,
would be disturbed by keen and peril
nent interpretations that his own wi
had never suggested. If he attempted
any remonstranee, she would blunt his
censure with a pun and defy rebukt
by an ingenious repartee. She would
affect scientific themes that she might
disconcert him by some problem toe
difficult for his calculation; she dared
his opinions and challenged his senti.
ments; she the colors, the flow
ers, the gems she knew he most dis
liked; and she was indeed the plague
of his life.
"1Fhy do you always wear the topaz,
Miss Evelyn he asked her later that
day.
He had glanced up with a ready
frown at the exquisite shape and
charming brunette face, p~erceiving
only the yellow gem he whimsically
abominated, glittering in her coal
black hair and amid the white laces on
her bosom.
AS an amulet she replied quickly,
merrily and meaningly. 1T is a pre-
sentative against poison, you know"
The speech was not quite civil; the
laughing glance of the big black eyes
was saucy and significant; but her
manner was the perfection of innocent
~playfulness.
Fred's frowning face crimsoned.
"What monster of iniquity would
wish to harm SO gentle and gracious a
LADY,? he retorted, with ungallant
irony.
She regarded him for a moment with
a %curiously intent and questioning
look, before which his countenance
suddenly ehanged-suddenly he seemed
defensive rather than aggressive, as
n who feared his " weakness
rather than the strength of the enc
my.
Perhaps she discerned something in
his uneasiness that she wilfully de-
clined to understand; perhaps she
comprehended a pain that thrilled her
more than she cared to acknowledge
for she, too, changed.
"Mr. Ives she began at length,
with a singular new splendor in her
sweet smile and a singular new sweet
ness in her voice, '.any sarcasm is alb
surd between you and me. The can
did truth is SO much better always.
even. if it be disagreeable. / am per-
fectly aware that you detest me; that
everything ] do %displeases or annoys
you. You have given. me abundant
proof of your dislike, and never yet
vouchsafed me a kindness nor a cour-
tesy. 1t is you who are ungentle-
you who are u~ngracious. Why yon
are 50, I may not inquire; but / shall
implore our dear Carrie to send me
away, and trust that you may never
again be afflicted with the presence of
luckless d person as myself"
And while he marveled If this new
amiability. this charming combination
Of humility and dignity, were sincerity
or a snare, she had gone, leaving him
b~ewildered and wholly IN
comfortable.
81 have q mind to try the subjugat-
ed black horse myself" he thought
presently, as he noted the CLEAN of a
white dress and an amber scarf among
the trees up the long shady road.
But the black horse had not been
subjugated for Fred's pleasure, evil
The mettle than had been
obedient to the slightest command of
one dainty, daring girl, had not been
tanned for his control.
Jessie, pausing by the pleasant way
side, was suddenly started BY the IN
tramp of hoofs, and looked up
TO behold the unmanageable animal
galloping toward her. The next in
slant he tossed his vicious head aloft
and reared on his launches; simulta-
neousIy, the saddle girth snapped asun-
der, and the unfortunate rider was
precipitated upon the level sward al
most at her very feet.
20 Fred, are you hurt?' she IN
CURED in tones of tenderest concern,
as she knelt down beside him and
her pretty arm beneath his
head.
Eyes, he answered gazing straight
up into her anxious eyes. ~ am hurt
to death FOR love Of the girl who hates
me, who fancies that I have disliked
herr
II was an odd love-making, doubt
lessly; but there and then. holding fast
little wiilfal hand, the lover re-
hearsed the ancient and delectable
st.
tsaf So,,ran ..;u w,m r..9 -