The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-06-27
Written for the CHIEF
HILDA'S BOUQUET AND ITS
TRAGEDY,
BY RUTH RAMAY.
CHAPTER I.

SAAE>A AA~AA
rs she not more than painting can express.
Or youthful poets fancy when they love?'
Hilda Ranesford was Just the prettiest
girl in Keswick. Beauty in itself is not al
ways pleasing, but Hilda possessed all the
attributes that make beauty perfection.
She had her faults and failings, it is true
Of the former, she was rather given to
possible, sometimes in direct opposition to
the rules and regulations of the select cir
Gle who formed the g society" of Keswick.
Money and beauty cover multitude of
sins, so her occasional eccentricities only
lent zest to the tea-table gossip without
lowering her one bit in the esteem of her
numerous friends and acquaintances. Ma
irons smiled benignly upon her, and said
that Being an only child she was little
spoiled" but generally added that it had
not hurt her a particle. Old and young
men considered her perfectly irresistible
and bore her frank remarks upon their
faults with equanimity, not to say de-
light. Somehow they were always given
in such charming way.
She would do anything in the world for
person in any way afflicted, regardless as
to whether they were good, bad or indif-
ferent. The congregation of st. Marks
church had gotten accustomed to seeing
her shake hands with the lame sexton; they
we're not aware that more than simple
ho, cho1 -
wonder when she distributed flowers, pats
and sometimes kisses among his numerous
offspring. She even thought more of the
bashful curate who assisted the pastor of
st. Marks in his parochial duties, than
she did of the Prince of Wales himself. To
the loyal members of Keswick society such
rank republicanism was highly reprehen-
sible, but Hilda was granddaughter to an
earl and could afford to indulge in repub-
lican ideas. Few besides the receivers
knew OF the extent of her charities, and
only voted her the most tenaer-hearted and
sympathetic little woman in world.
One beautiful Sunday in spring little
episode occurred which would have set the
spiasters agog had they seen it, but they did
not see it, though it changed the whole
current of Hilda's bright, happy life for
many year.
Ronald Tracy, the elder son of Reginald,
Lord Carrisbroke, had for a long time been
the acknowledged lover of the young
heiress. Though no one spoke of it, all
10 III.
ding would end the pretty romance. Hilda
was not frank and friendly with him as
with other admirers; she did not present
the half of his bouquets to some child with
a gentle remark that took the sting from
the action: instead, her eyes dropped before
his, she seemed unconciousIy to do what
would please him, and was not averse to
his . dropping in upon any and all occa-
sions. Hilda was IN love, but scarcely yet
knew it.
On this parti cular Sunday evening she
was interested in the beautiful face of a
tall youth who came slowly up the aisle on
crutches.
She had seen him before, but never
noticed him closely, and once }ady was
with him, very delicate looking lady with
a pale, sweet face and silvery hair. She
was dressed like widow.
Hilda felt sorry for the mother whose
only son was cripple. Only the day be-
fore the Rev. James LennoX had told her
the story of the accident; how, in saving the
life of his own little daughter several years
since, Gerald Pembroke had injured him
self for life. MY little girl was too young
then to understand the sacrifice, but now
her devotion is comical," said the Rev.
James, wiping his eyes. "He is a noble