St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-06-14

day was at hand. Those DAYS had en-
lightened Henniker very much as tc
Mr.. Maitland's true character. He haC
been among his work-people aud had
seen how they all reverenced and re.
| spected him, he had seen how consider.
ate and thoughtful he was towards
them, and he had heard from the PEG.
| pie IN the neighborhood of the Mid.
lands how good and unselfsh he was.
But, more than all, he had been brought
into close contact with the man himself.
and he had had time and opportunity
to become acquainted with his dispo-
sition and to mark the many little ways
in which his generosity and true nobili-
| ty OF character showed themselves.
The result was a total revulsion of feel
ing towards Mr.. Maitland almost as
complete as that towards his daughter.
1t was the evening before Whit-Sun-
day, the time about six. Henniker,
who had been out riding. went to the
draWlng-room, not expecting to find any
one there, for Lily had driven into
town TO make some purchases, and he
hardly fancied she could have returned
yet. He was mistaken, however, for
she was seated before the fire and in so
deep reverie that he had to speak to
her before she became aware of his
presence. i.
Your thoughts seem to be pleasant
ones. Miss Maitland, if one may Judge
from the expression Of your face he
said, as he took a seat near her.
She started violently and hot color
stole into her cheeks Henniker won
dered why she should blush so much at
such apparently innocent words.
1T was but momentary, however, and,
when the flush died away it seemed to
leave her face paler than usual.
Thoughts at Whitsnntide ought to
be pleasant, Mr.. Henniker," she said;
"but | don't know that mine were par
ticularly happy. Did you enjoy your
. Very much. Sam. as think YOU
call him, carried me splendidly, and [
had no idea the country about Man
chester was so interesting. 1t is really
very pretty out beyond Cheadle.''
81 am glad you liked it; you will, at
any rate, have one pleasant remem-
brance of Manchester to carry away
with YOU"
There was something in the tone in
which she said this-something half sad
and eproachful-tha caused Henniker
to lose his head
"There is one remembrance that will
always be inexpressibly dear to me, y he
said, in a low voice.
The moment he had spoken he felt
that he had betrayed himself. There
was no turning back now; come what |
might, he must go On, A choking SEN
sat on rose in his throat, but he reso-
utely forced it back and steeled himself
sor the coming ordeal.
The flush again rose to her cheek. 1t |
was impossible to mistake his meaning.
For moment what he would have con
'trued as almost happy look came
'yer her face; but it passed away
quickly, and her features grew hard and
let.
/" hardly understand you, she said,
and he noticed that, despite
Ter efforts to remain composed, the
land nearest him was trembling Yio-
emily.
i The dearest remembrance / shall
ave when I leave Manchester will be
# yourself, !" he said. Il scarcely in
ended to make this avoWal SO soon.
Hiss Maitland, but now that circum-
tances have led up to it, it would
imply be cowardiee if / did not speak
lainly. ] love you! know that this
great presumption on my part, and
hat | am not half worthy of you, but,
ldeed, | couldn't help myself. It was
npossibie to be in the same house with
on without loving you, Oh, my dar-
ng, If you only knew how much love
on, how passionately, since | came
ere. | have hung upon every look and I
very smile you have given me. surely
our heart would come out to me as ,
~ heart has gone out to you VIII /,
on try to love me, LilE2 win you be {
" Wife?'' !
He had flung himself upon the ground
aside her as he spoke and had clasped !
n hand in his. For moment she +
emitted it to remain there unresist- +
gly, while her whole woman's nature :
emed to respond to his appeal; then, 6
it'll a sudden effort, she drew herself +
way and rose to her feet. +
tNo, [ will net be your wife," she i
id. with flashing eyes and quiyering n
outh. ''Mr. Henniker, you came here Q
'spising US poor Manchester people n
on thought we were half savages, de- il
i'd of all cultivation and refinement. v
ON the height of your intellectual r
periority you looked down upon us @
Id ridiculed us. saw it in your man o
r, in your LOOKS. Among others you II
ought fit to despise was my father, s.
e of the best, the noblest of men. n
III scorned his speech and manners o
cause he did not happen to have been =
fortunate as yourself in receiving a. W
cd education, but had worked bis N
y upwards by energy and industry