St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-09-06

classic nose and firm mouth which de-
cIared him to be Worth.
Tie other two paintings to which |
referred were those of man and
woman.
The man must have been twenty-one
or two years of age. To say he was
handsome would but poorly express it.
He was of that class of manly beauty
which mere words are found made
ouate to express. A high. broad fore
head, dark eyes and hair, and mouth
so perfect in it's formation that even IN
the painting one almost imagined they
heard it speak.
The painting of the woman Cor, l
should say girl, for she could not have
passed beyond her teens) was very
beautiful. Her beauty was entirely
different from that of the mans just
described beauty that was purely
feminine, golden hair, skin of ivory
whiteness, ewes whose azure rivaled that
of the summer skies-aye, eyes in which
YOU might read thoughts as pure as an
angels. :,
"You may come with me-"
I started visibly as that tremulous
voice broke the stiffness of the room. It
was from the woman who had let me in.
She had come in without making any
noise, and had spoken these words close
to my ear.
She took one of the wax candles with
her and left the room, following.
We passed up three flights OF stairs,
and came to a closed door; that, [ felt
instinctively, belonged to the owner of
the mansion.
..Remain where you are" spoke the
old woman, and taking the candle with
her she left me alone, standing in utter
darkness.
She was gone about five minutes,
then the door opened and | was adj
mitted.
There was but one person in the room
besides the woman and myself, and that
was the old man in bed.
The room was not large, but every
| thing in it denoted comfort.
"Leave us alone, Marguerite, spoke
the party in bed in firm, commanding
tone.
The woman obeyed, and we were left
alone.
A silence of some moments lasted,
during which time was making an ex-
animation of the old man, and knew
that he was doing the same of me.
He was withered old man, and YET
it would have been hard to tell his age,
for passion and disease had placed then
imprint upon him. That he was
Younger than my father / knew; but
could you have brought this man to
nv fathers death-bed you would have
declared him to have been fully twenty
wears the senior.
He broke the stiffness by interrogat.
ing: !.
$50 you are John Worth's son?"
81 am I answered.
A pause ensued.
.Of course you know that your father
and were not on very good terms, dt
you not?'' he asked.
$50 | have been informed" | an
swered.
..Do you bear me any ill-willP'' hi
questioned, rising little up in bed.
''Not in the least.
81 am glad you do not" he contin
ued, settling himself again. "for an
about to die and wish the ill-will of NJ
person.
''Indeed!'' I exclaimed. ''Whateve
has transpired between my father ane
you is dead letter to me.
'Let-me -see," again spoke my
uncle, ''your father is dead?"
eyes; and has been nearly a year.
'sDid he leave you any property?' h
Intercepted; and then, as if excusins
himself for his ignorance, ne said
'You see, although brother, ! was
total stranger"
/ ''He left me something which valu
very highly" answered.
ssWhat is that?' he demanded.
Gan honest name.
"And / suppose that was alla"
i EYES," replied.
Call the BETTER he muttered to him
self; and then continuing:
II like you better than I expected
Draw your chair nearer my bed. =
| | obeved, and noticed for the frs
time since my entrance a very fin
French plate mirror that hung on tn
+. wall near his head.
4 ..Give me your hand" he asked
reaching out long. withered hand TO
me to clasp.
did so, and the GOODNESS of that han
sent a tremor to my very heart.
Do you know why ! have sent fo
your" he now asked, looking at nj
with those dark eyes that seemed t
pierce my inmost thoughts.
81 do not, / answered.
81 will tell you then. TO make 20
my heir! / am about to disclose to 20
part of my life that few persons know
But first you must swear never to dis
close it to any one. Swear on your ho1
nl. as q ranfleman-a Wnrth-that