The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-08-08

and, can not allow her mother to COM
pei an alliance SO distateful."
CHAPTER M.
"Hester," said Mrs. BeasSly, when
Mr.. Lucas had gone, ''why do you take
SO keen delight in humiliating your
poor old mother"
II do not wish to humiliate you.
mother, and you ought to know that ]
do not
'You did so, my daughter"
'Why, mother, you are surely be-
side yourself l have known Mr.. Luz
cas- all my life and have never had a
thought of marrying him; and 1 know
that he has never had q thought of
marrying me-"
" Hester, let me give you warning
Don't dispute my word He asked me
for you.
i" But, mother. could not help that.
He Should have first asked my consent. :"
& It seems that your consent was tao
lily given, for when spoke to you con-
cerning the matter, you said that mar
rage with Mr.. Lucas would be delight
full.
why, mother, you are crazyr'
Hester, as told you before, have
not laid the weight of my hand on you
since you were child, but I'll declare
to goodness that if you persist in dis
putting my word and attempting to make
out that am not in my right mind,
will box your ears" =.
Miss Hester began to shed tears. 81
don't know why you should want me to
marry" she said, 81 am sure that have
never given you any trouble.
Hester, all girls must marry"
So must all people die, but it is
not intended that they shall die until
their time comes.
|" Marriage is condition of life,
my child. All conditions of life are
brought about by human agencies. l
shall soon have another conference
with MIR. Lucas, and you must prepare
yourself for"
The worst" suggested Miss Hester.
mo, for the best"
1--WE are always prepared for the
best, mother. 1t is the worst that re-
quires additional preparation"
Now, daughter, tell me the truth.
Don't you love Mr.. LucasP"
mo, / don't"
II think you do, Hester. Surely a
mother ought to know what is best for
her daughter. Don't say another word
CHAPTER ".
"Good evening, Mrs. Beasely," said
Mr. Lucas, entering his parlor. A
servant had told him that Mrs. Beasely
had arrived.
'.How do you do, Mr.. LucasP"
Delightful weather, Mrs. Beasely."
Splendid weather, Mr.. Lucas"
81 think, though, that we are needing
rain, Mrs. Beasely."
Il think, though, that we are needing
rain, Mr.. Lucas"
Mrs. Beasely, know why you have
called. Now tell me. Is there not
some way by which we can come to a
satisfactory understandings"
''Oh, yes, and it is concerning a sat
isfactory understanding that I have
called"
II anu glad to hear you say so. What
proposition have you to makep"
"A very fair one. That you marry
Hester without delay"
"My dear madam"
Don't dear madam me-"
Your proposition is preposterous.
Very well, sir" she replied, draw
ing herself up and glazing at him.
'' / do not wish neighborhood dis
turbance, Mrs. Beasely."
"Then do as say.
IL do not know that your daughter
loves me-"
You are not prepared to speak.
You have never sought her love. '"
u have never sought any ones
Then it is high time, sir"
l6on't know what to do" said
MI. L"cas, ",Surely no other man
ever tontd himself in such a position. ="
Wei9my daughter is at home.
nave business in town. While I am
away, this afternoon, you'd better call
ana see her Good morning"