The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1884-10-31

/ this was only platonic affair between
4 two hearts which understood each 9th
er. Was it not Lamartine who once
said ga woman could have no such
friend rs another woman's lover" or
something of the kind? Besides, Vera
had never loved him. even in the old
times; he had deluded himself for
awhile, but it was she herself who had
delegated him to the bleak region OF
friendship when he had poured out his
affections upon her. Why should she
make any mistake now?
They had been out gathering wild
| flowers one afternoon.
This herbarium," he said, Twill be
kind of floral diaryto me. lean read
the histories of the summer days among
Its leaves; the days in which we discov-
cred each fayorite specimen will rise up
like losely ghosts before me VIII never [
open the volume: will see again the
paths we followed, the little clouds
moving across the sky. l will hear
your voice again; your words will echo
in my"
"You are becoming poet" said
Vera, as Mr.. Lawrence paused, with
his eyes fixed on the veranda.
81 know you will be shocked to see
me-" said tie young girl who stood
there smiling and holding out a dim
pied hand, "but it is not my fault
"A fault that leans to virtues side, if
it were," SAID Lawrence, taking the
hand. and holding it longer than need
full, thought Vera
"Ah, that hateful old herbarlum
n II hn ~ nf
how it has bored me! But must tell
you: we were dri ing home from the
mountains, aunty, Harold. and /
aunty u0uii come this way-and the
horses took fright, of course they know
she is timid-just half a mile away, and
spilled us out. and bruised her SO badly
she is unable to 90 further"
"It's an i'll wind that blows nobody
good, see," said Lawrence, unfeeling
"; but now that you have taken breath,
let me introduce you to my old friend
Miss Endicott. Vera, / suppose you
have heard that you know-Miss Rose
Allen and l are going to take each
other for better or worse."
81 am sure it will be all for the bet
ter" Vera said.
THAT depends upon whether he burns
the herbarum or not" laughed Rose;
and then they went in to tea, and Vera
ate her muffin and drank her chocolate,
and talked and laughed with the rest,
took an inventory OF the charms of Rose,
chided herself for having made the grim
mistake of thinking that he loved her
still. But the world was no longer the
cheerful sphere she had known. The
sun had set and the stars had not aris-
en-.
Il knew he was only making believe
with Miss End;cott," said Miss Scott
She'll be left out in the cold after this
with vengeance, 1t seems a pity,
too, to be disappointed, at her age; but
then she had no business to expect any
thing"
1t seemed to Vera, however, as the
days went by, as if Rose Low. better to
sit and battle her aunt's bruises or read
novels to her than to float on the stream
in Mr.. Lawrence's wherry, or to drive
behind his ponies over the hill country,
and that this preference on the part of
his sweetheart in no wise annoyed Mr..
Lawrence.
..They are the queerest lovers" said
happier before she came"
One day, when Mr.. Lawrence had
gone up to town on business for few
hours, as Vera was returning from a
lonely walk. passing through little
wood, she heard the murmur of voices.
''But why should you hesitate when
you love me, dear?" said a deep tone.
because Aunt Kitty will never for
give me for letting Mr.. Lawrence's for
tune go out of the family; she has set
her heart upon it." And Just then Vera
came face to face with Rose Allen in the
arms of strange young man. "A
thousand pardons," she said, little
stiffly.
LET me tell you-let me explain"
cried Rose, as Vera hurried away.
''You must think l am such q hypocrite,
Miss Endicott- Listen. Aunt Hitty
never gave me any rest till l accepted
Mr.. Lawrence, and / don't think he
cared much, either. l think she made
him be ieye was languishing for love
Of him.. Tom-that n,>Mr. Crebore-
had no money then, neither had l. She
forbade him the house. Since then Tom
Il mean Mr.. Crebore-has speculated
VI somctuluSs ouu mdOo enough 10 De-
gin life with, and now he wants me t,
break with Mr.. Lawrence; but it's so
hard to tell lover you have been mis-
taken. or that you knew all the while
you didn't love him, but just was going
to marry him for his money, isn't itP
You are his friend. Miss Endicott; YOU
have known him for ages; can't you
break it 10 him for mea" pleaded Rose.
az break it to Mr. Lawrence?" re-
peated Vera, all the color fading from
her face. '.How can I? ] would be
glad to help you; but-but it will break
his heart" just then shadow fell be-
tween Their and Mr.. Lawrence himself
LAID gentle hand on Vera's arm. sNo,
it will not break his heart" he said,
aside. 81 have heardit al, Rose. /
came out to meet you; they told me at
the house that you were walking this
way. am glad to know this before it
il too late. Hose, l give you leave to
be happy with Mr.. Crebore. As for
me-
you arc very good. !" laughed Rose;
''but doubt if you love me any better