Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-02-14


we'll ct my tackle in order, for it posi-
tiyc,v .rigIItens me to see it in the con-
dI;iun t l." And with this parting in
Junction he ltis>y though really good
Il tired doc.ur Ha!E ed dc wn the road on
his ,rihd- oG mercy. leaving Nellie to
VII cii Iii broad form until it disappear
e' be- 'lac.n Of hedge-row.
1t lite day OF the Iete. All Oakleigh
n'd MrAvile sre alive with flags and
i"rii,' z, nj Il splendid triuInphal arch
v,'r ia" ig -;,te marks the entrance of
the hall.
Til ar,h is to be illuminated in the
evening aud the inhabitants of the
Uv.y'.i orho d are to be il:rther delighted
by rIaud display of fire wnr-s. All in
hoi ,r >. tie I'II1C heir. Thcie he is
lesnmc a-GIu' { ieiraca rails. HIND
some, lou II. k, don't you?
Still there is such a decided lack of
ch lractei in his face that it looks almost
girlish.
On seat by the terrace steps is
| partv of young girls, among whom is
Nellie Claymore.
Are you invited to the ball tonight,
Nellie?" asked a bright eyed member of
the group.
"Yes, dear, but don't think l shall
co." replied Nellie.
"Not gow echoed round in astonish-
ment. "Why, would go if it were only
10 see the diamonds and plate. But you
perhaps have seen them, haven't your
"Yes, they are certainly beautiful"
IL wonder who will he the lucky wo-
man who will catch the heir to the
diamonds?" said Lucy Berling, one of
the girls, with quick laugh. "It's GER
tainly worth trying for"
Report said at the time that she was
trying very hard herself
"See how he is fir: ing with Miss Mon
roe. 1t is not likely to be one of us, do
you Think"
81 don't know about that; her hair is
so short, and / can't think why it don't
grow" said Lucy shaking out her own
luXuriaDt trcsses. 'It is short, but pretty
and curly, and she is far too good for
that boy"
Nellie! Nellie! That sounds rather
bitter, and puts me in mind of the fox
and the grapes"
A little indignant laugh broke from
Nellie's lips as she looked over there by
the lake.
Half dozen girls clad in the most
engaging Summer costumes, bovering
around the recumbent form of the curly
headed heir, who, with a sweet smile on
his lips, accepts their subtle batteries
while each vain little heart futters with
delight at the thought OF being the favor
cd one.
Something weak, almost contemplate
about the group.
As Nellie turned away her ewes me-
those of Wendell Verney, and by The
expression in his face she knew tha
something of the same thought haC
passed through Lis mind.
1t was then that she decided that he
answer to Percy Oakleigh should be /;
negative; for, comparing the two men
the younger lost so much that not al
the lords of Oakleigh could turn III,
, balance in his favor
, A very stately room was the library O
!, the hall, and Nellie was very glad whel
!, the interview was over with Percy, al
though mortified that he did no: TAX
8 her refusahin the tragic way she hac
S read about in novels,
A beautiful night, the soft South win,
Just rustling the leaves in the chestnu
, grove, the firmament abla7e with heay
. ems jewels, and beneath, where all j
quiet and still, Wendell VeIney is tellin
his love to Nellie Claymore.
"And you will be my wife, darling
5 and help me win name and foItune"
, Yes, Wendell" she said, shyly
> "But when will You be back from Ney
! York;"
'In a week, hope. What can I d
' to prove my gratitude to you for castin
r your lot in life with poor MANI"
, why, promise never to love me les
l tLan you do now," she said laugbingly
Y drawing her hand from his clasp.
"But l hear the carriage coming t
y take you away" . -
Away, ah, yes-but a week and
shall return never to part from yo
again." and he stopped and kissed he
2 passionately, and the stars looked softl
!. down, blinking kindly in the vault {
heaven, he sole witness of this victor
gained by hearts over diamond.