The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-05-09
nONALDsONVILLE LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, MAY g. 1885.

J. LOUISIANA, SATU.
leave by Wednesday. will run now and
chat with her about it. Au revoir."
The following Wednesday ushered in as
aosely Juno morning as ever greeted
Florida orange grove, and the happy trio
had set sail on the fine steamer Marion and
we're being softly rocked upon tho bosom
of the briny deep. After calm, enjoyable
weeks voyage, they landed in New York
and were soon en- route to Long Branch,
there to sip few delights before leaving
for Saratoga, the queen of all American
summer resorts, for health or pleasure.
A girl of such. extraordinary beauty, ao-
complishments and worldly possessions
must of course carry in her train a host of
admirers, and many were'the conquests this
young society favorite could boast of. Al
though genial companions, none touched
her heart, and many thought did she watt
to Percy as she would stand at her window
after an evening of delightful entertain
ment watching the moonbeams dance upon
the ftful surface Of TIE grand Atlantic. In
this lonely silence she indulged some Of her
sweetest, most romantic reveries. Sudden
ly the full force of her love seemed to dawn
upon her and almost audibly she exclaimed,
"Oh, if could but caress Percy to night
just as the moon kisses the ocean, and unite
my soul with his as purely and infinitely as
those moonbeams mingle with the wave-
'lets!" Maude watched with dread the init
macy that had sprung up between her fa-
ther and dashing New York merchant,
for the latter had given her unmistakable
evidences of his fond regard, and she saw
plainly that this was the one Of all her suit
ors to whose voice her father would lend
favorable attention. Conscientious crea-
ture that she was, she had resolved that if
her father should insist upon her marriage
with this lover she would readily bestow
her hand upon him, and even while loving
Percy, wed Grey Hamilton, thus repaying
some of the generous affection and loving
care that had been .meted out to her by this
fond parent.
Now was to come the terrible struggle
with her sentimental nature, and for the
first time in her lifb did she find herself at
war with her girlsh, guileless heart, for
that little monitor would dictate love anda
happy marriage IN preference to wealth
and desire to please her parents.
The dreaded hour soon came, for the fol-
lowing morning while wandering ON the
beach, her father told her of an interview
he had held short time previously with
Mr.. Hamilton, and fervently besought her
to give that ardent suitor her heart and,
hand. After weeks reflection, during
twilight stroll to Congress Spring, there in
the height of one 81 Saratoga's most brill
liant seasons, did she solemnly promise
Grey Hamilton ..az5e his wife. The radiant
face of her father when told by Grey of her
decision almost repaid the child for the tor
ture her suffering heart had undergone.
They we're to be married the following
October, sail for a brief tour of Europe and
then return to enjoy the delights of fash
ionable winter in New York. The antici-
patton alone of all this whirl of pleasure
would have intoxicated most girls with
happiness, but fortunately or unfortunate
ly, as the world may put it, Maude had a
heart, and that heart would not be foully
dealt with.
One delightful, cool autumnlmorning-
such a morning as Southern October can
give us on occasion-found the inmates of
the Travers homestead early astir, putting
the finishing touches upo the magnificent
floral decorations, awnings, canopies, etc.,
and getting everything in readiness for the
brilliant marriage3feast. Doubtless Percy
would be there to witness the slaughter of
his beloved little lamb, for Maude had con-
fessed to him her love rs he poured his tale
of devotion into her willing ear some six
weeks before, but still she had enjoined ST.
lence forever after on his part, and earnest
| ly entreated him to be present at her nup-
| tials. Strange to say, he would do even
| this to please her.
That evening rs the imposing bridal par
ty arranged themselves about the hand
some couple, and adown the grand length
! of those stately pariors there resounded the
deep, solemn tones of the priest, a shuddef
! darted through Maude's frame, and as the
words, "Wilt thou love him? were uttered
by the man of God, her heart throbbed
wildly for its sway, and shrek of agony
burst from her lips as she raised her eyes
and caught sight of Percy's benign face
81 cannot love him, for love Percy!" In
eager haste she darted to Percy's side ard
they fingered in q tender embrace, needles;
of their surroundings. I'he scene of con.
sternation aud excitement that ensued car
better be imagined than described, bu
love triumphed in the end and all concerne:
decided to make the best of an embarrass
ing situation. The marriage ceremony wa!
resumed after a while, but Percy stood be
side the now radiant and blissful bride ane
their two young hearts beat in happy uni
son upon being made one that memorable
evening. Many pleasant hour have Perc!
and Maude beguiled in teaching the curl!
heads that play about their beautiful South
ern home that an innocent heart filled will
true happiness must and forever will out
weigh the most regal purse filled with heav
lest gold.
Three iaborers employed in the Unite'
States Mint at New Orleans, one of whom
is Milton Morris Of Ascension, we're arreste