The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-04-25

in tho world to please the prettiest and
sweetest girl in the city" And with kiss
to mother and sister lhe was gone.
Evening came. and so did the late din
ner, but no Hugh, though three pairs OF
eyes we're on the lookout for him. It was
not until the merry trio we're in the mid
die of their meal that Hugh appeared. Af-
ter the preliminaries he took a long look at
his COUSIN; "freckled" could scarcely de-
scribe hers scomplexion, even his widest
Imagination had never conceived such
freckles, but then such perfect features he
had never seen, and her eyes fairly dazzled
him with their dark violet brilliancy. Her
voice was low and extremely musical, but
the hideous freokles which covered face and
hands spoiled everything. He gave IN Il
told you sol" looked at Club, who sud
denly burst into merry laugh in which
she was joined by her companion, and
poor Hugh felt his ears getting very warm.
He meant to do his duty, however. so that
night he said kindly, II am your cousin,
you know, so you must call me Hugh"
"Cousin Hugh" she amended, glancing
up from under her long black lashes with
smile in her violet eyes that. might mean
anything. "My name is Elinor," she added
simply.
"Cousin Elinor Bruce" laughed Hugh,
and just then Club came up and carried
her of to be introduced to Edward Castle,
who gave an amused smile into her face
which she answered with laugh. Before
the evening was over she decided that Mr..
Castle was really worthy of the Mrs. Castle
of the future, and Elinor was quite sure
who that would be.
Club found Hugh all that q brother should
be; he quite devoted all his spare time to
her amusement; and the beautiful slender
girl and her tall handsome escort were be-
coming known about Druid Hill and the
North Road, for there were not two such
graceful riders in the city.
One night Hugh going to his library was
surprised to find Club in pretty little
frilled wrapper calmly awaiting him. II
had something to tell you," she explained,
and in very roundabout way she in
formed him that she had promised to
marry Edward" and that they only
waited his consent, aud edward" would
see him the next day.
"Why you little goose, haven't l known
it oil alongl" laughed Hugh, rubbing her
eyes with his handkerchief.
"There now, don't cry, little woman, Cas-
tie is happy man; goodnight, pet" he
said with strange slow tenderness, watch
ing his pretty sister all smiles end tears
running upstairs to bed, and long talk
with Elinor. r.
"How is it with Elinor7" she asked him
next morning.
A panied frown crossed his forehead.
"You forget the freckles," he said coldly,
aud went away.
Mrs. Castle was going to give the last
ball of the season, for they were we'll out of
the season now and ready to fit away to
mountains or seashore as fancy dictated.
OF course the girls we're going to the ball
with Hugh and his mother. Hugh had but
sad time of it all now; he had borne the
brunt of everything since his fathers death,
and no one knew how hard it had been for
him. And now he was going to lose his
only sister, and Elinor, with her graceful,
stately figure, sweet, womanly ways and
soft violet eyes, was difficult subject to
get over. Yet, when he turned at the sound
of low, sweet laugh, it was only to meet q
face disigured by great hideous freckles:
why they should pain him so he could not
and would not guess.
| The evening before the Castles ball,
Hugh coming in early stopped spell-bound
at the door. Some one was singing Sulli-
vans " Once Again in an exquisite, clea,
voice, every note vibrating sweetness. Their
the beautiful melody "Sweethearts fol
lowed. When it was finished he went qui
city in and stood at the side of the singer
freckles, everything was forgotten. Eli
nor" cIasping the slim lite hands, ooh
my darling, love you; will you MARI,
me2"
There was perfect silence; he could hea
his own heart beat; then the violet eye
looked steadily up for moment, the lon'
lashes dropped, and soft, tremulou
"Yes broke the silence.
It is the night of the ball and Hugh i
waiting in the parlor for his party to com
down. A rustic. of silken robes descend
the stairs and advancing pauses beneet
the chandelier. Thinking it was Club, h
did not turn until she stopped, and then h
vision before him. A tall, slim fgur
clothed in pink silk draped over with whit
crepe and Almy lace. Pink flowers lay il
the foamy white here and there,
coronet Of diamonds glittered in tn
dusky curls, and the loveliest face i
the world looked up at him with great
starry, violet eyes. II have confession
to make" she says, the dimples and tn
peach bloom deepening in the soft cheeks
ga remark Club made on my complexio
the evening arrived led me to believe tha
you expected freckles, 80 not to disappoin
you we provided some. with little sepis
whenever you we're at home. I've deceive
, you all along. Twas tired of being love
for my money or my beauty, l wanted to b
, loved for myself" blushing vividly. "Wi
, you forgive me7" pleadingly.
Hugh was just about to "punish" th
beautiful deceiver in lovers fashion, whe
, scream came from the doorway:
, "Oh, Hugh, you will ruiz, her dress!" E
he had to be content with such kisses as I
could steal in the dark, and there were q,
two happier or handsomer people at Mr.
!, Castles ball, than Hugh Dalrymple an