The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-04-12

was Tor the first time sent home tn the
Hall to await them. ~ '''o
IL was beautiful evening in autumn
wnen the travellers were expected. A
Telegram had been sent down announcing
tue arrival OF the vessel, and that they
snouid De ut Dunly by the evening ex-
press train.
:. everyone and everything was looking
Its best. The noble park and maoniti,
cent trees, with the first tints of autumn
mad never looked more beautiful Every
where gay flags were streaming. while
bands OF music stationed under the trees
were ready to strike up o welcome to
their long absent lord and new mis-
tress.
The Hall itself had been redecorated
from garret to scullery. All the princl-
pal reception rooms had been newly car
peted and curtained, while the exquisite
boudolr fitted up for the Viscountess was
marvel of good taste and beauty. But
what will not gold cta-and the up
hOlsterers had ctlrte blanche.
Gerald was almost wild with DELIGHT.
his only drawback being the absence Of
Ernest and Edith, whom he had learned
to love with passionate fondness.
The servants were delighted with their
young master and his winning, gentle
manner. He had spoken to them of a
gentle mistress; the first glance at the
ViscOuntess rivited their hearts.
As the carriage, drawn by four splen-
did horses, dashed up the noble avenue,
the village bells rang out, the bands
struck up. the people shouted their well
come; but Geraldine heard nothing.
Her eyes were straining forward to see
her son, and as she caught sight of his
figure at the Hall door, she started, in
uncomfortable anguish, upright in the
carriage, and the Viscount, almost as
eager, pressed his arm around her.
The carriage reaches the Hall door at
last, and the arms of his father lift their
boy in, and he is clasped in his mothers
embrace tears of JOY rain upon his face
and mingle in his curls.
Shouts of sympathy and respect rend
the air, and Geraldine, with a sweet
smile breaking through her tears, returns
their salutatlOns. The Viscount proudly
and the door closes on their retreatlng
forms.
For days afterwards the noble draw
tocracy of the county, and everyone wa
loud in praise OF the beauty and grace
Of the Viscountess. Little did the wives
and daughters of tho county magnates
imagine that the regal looking woman
who, in q matchless dress of Honiton
lace and satin, stood beside the ViscOunt
to receive her visitors, was the humble
daughter of their blind minister. She
was too much changed to be recognized
by the few with whom she associated !;
and her reception at the Spanish Court,
Oh her way to Madeira, had established
her in the highest circles.
''YOu will accompany me to church
tomorrow, dear Charles 2" she asked,
as, leaning on her husbands arm, she
was returning from walk in the park.
"Oh, yes, darling! But what can
have happened to Gerald! One would
imagine he had received news OF gold
mine having been discovered in his
estates"
"I have had better news than that,
dear papa. You know mamma kindly
gave me permission to write and ask
Edward, Ernest and Edith FalcOner to
visit us, and begged them to come to-
day; and they are coming. he con-
hnued, holding upa letter, "in an hours
time. May l drlve down to the station
W Iu0cJ Llcm!
"Yes, my dear boy; tel Joe to attend
you.
And the boy bounded away.
Gerald has greatly improved" he
said, turning to the ViscOuntess.
pride and fondness after her son "but
/ wish he was more robust.
Foolish trembler," said the Wis
no,,rk G1n g wall aud hornv And
youl"
Happier far than had ever dared to
hope to be, thanks to the kindest hus-
band woman ever had
"Then you are good match for your
husband, who is the happiest fellow
living, thanks to the sweetest wife
The Viscountess was alone in her
bOudOir when Gerald returned with his
Young visitors. And he drew the fair
xirl's hand within his arm to take her
lhere.
Edith, darling, he said, II will take
you to my mother Stay here, old fel-
lows l will be back in an instant"
The gentle "Come in I" answered his
quick, lmpetuous knock, and Gerald and
his companion entered
Geraldine was reading, but she raised
her eyes with an atfecaiOnate smile to
welcome her son.
MY dear mother. allow me to pre-
sent"
"Who ?" she gasped with her eyes
rivited in long, searching gaze on the
face of the blushing girl.
Miss Edith FalcOner, mother.
"Come to me, dear child!" she MUIR
INJURED, holding out her hands Come
to metz
Edith flew forward to the footstool of
the Viscountess, and, clasping her knees,
looked up into her face.
Geraldine bent down, and taking the
beautiful face in her hands, smoothed
| back the golden hair, and gazed into her
| ewes. as II she would read there the secret