The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-12-18

eager to acquaint her with his good
fortune. He Lad, however, scarcely
begun to speak before the rustic of =
fadys dress was heard, and in an in.
stant Young girl brushed past him
and threw her arms affectionately
around Mrs. Robbins neck.
How are you, dear mother ?" she
cried, in sweet, soft voice. II am 50
glad to come back to you."
The good old woman kissed her re.
peate'ly. while Gerald looked on in
admir- ';ion and surprise at the beauty
and grace of the young girl.
Pcreiving his wonder, Mrs. Robbins
said, langhingly: y ~ - rr
You did not know, MI. De yoissv
that had so fine young woman for
daughter. thought 1 would give
you a start sone day. But 60 on and
tell me OF your good fortune. / am
impatient to hear all about it,"
l noticed that my friends usual
self-possession had deserted him; and
though he spoke to Mrs. Robbins. his
eyes were fixed on the young Qirl. and
ne prolonged the conversation pur-
posely, | fancied. When. at last he
tore himself away, we had discovered
thae the young lady's name was
Maggie. that she was living with her
cousins in the country, and had only
come home for few days. %AN
sr "What sweet girl!" muttered Ger.
aid. What pity she is not of good
family! Has she not a wonderfully
sweet and beautiful expression?"
l quite agreed with him, but ban
tered him not little by reminding him,
every time he alluded to Maggie, of
his family pride, and the solemn vow 1
had so often heard him make, that the
girl he loved must be his equal in birth
and position.
We returned from Long Branch late
that evening, and heard Maggie's sweet
voice singing an air from LA Son.
nambula' as we ascended the stairs.
l noticed during the next few days
that Gerald found a great many rea-
sons for going to speak to Mrs. Rob-
bins in her apartments. Nothing could
exceed his ingenuity in discovering
small items which needed her atten-,
ton. Then it suddenly had occurred !
to him that he had heard during the
last few days, that she and her daugh-
ter were fond OF. going to the theatre,
and he was thoughtful enough to pro-
vide tickets for them, taking care to
reserve seat near them for himself.
Gerald tried to laugh off my insinu-
ations as to his being in love with
Miss Maggie but the fact was quite
and / knew the struggle be-
tween pride and affection which pre-
vented him from declaring his attach
ment.
An event soon occurred which
brought matters to a crisis. A tall,
man called at our studio
one morning and seemed Psrticularly
struck with some of Geralds pictures.
In the course of conversation he in
formed him that he was already the
possessor of his two best pictures,
which three years before had made a
in the exhibition at the
Academy. After purchasing a little
sketch my friend had just completed
be left US, and we heard him stop and
speak to Mrs. Robbins on his way down
stairs. But l was greatly surprised
md Gerald horribly dismayed when we
Jaw him ten minutes afterward enter
lis carriage with Maggie and drive
lway. ~-~ ..a
Gerald paced up and down the room
n "a fury of jealousy. My curiosity
vas considerably aroused as to the
nature of Maggie's acquaintance with
he stranger.
II am determined to ask her why
he went out with the fellow, and who
he is. directly she returns" growled
ierald.
"Have yon any right to be inquisi-
ive?' ! ventured to suggest.
perhaps not, except that she knows
love her better than any one else, and
hat l intended asking her to be my