St. Landry democrat., 1886-08-07


quiet I found the city was getting too
noisy and too full Of people for me.
The scenery here is beautiful. and the
air think remarkably fine. The people
are very kind, or would be if would let
them. They don't quite approve of me be-
cause I won't. But can't afford to be
popular, since I came for quiet" The
nephew laughed. eff your wife is not
too tired, and you will both go to church
tomorrow, you will be bestowing a
boon on the community at large. I
know they are all dying to see you. 1t
is the first time any thing Japanese has
come within their borders, | fancy"
''Do you go to church yourself?" he
asked.
"Very rarely, though it is only
across the way. But l am too much OF
an invalid"
''It is evident you want us to be
popular, even if you are not. he
said, as they rose from the table.
"Why not? You are both too young
and healthy to require quiet and seclu-
sion, as 1 do. Well, Moncure, sup
pose you will prefer a mat and wooden
pillow to sleep on?''
Thanks, no. I did not 60 in for that
sort of thing even in Japan, but am
still quite capable of approaching an
American bed," he said, as they parted
for the night.
Bromley was more than satisfied to
see its two distinguished guests walk up
the church aisle the next morning. al
belt they were little late. A slightly
built, pleasant-looking young man, with
brown hair and eyes, and small, dark,
foreign looking lady. She was pro-
nounced stylish in style not familiar
in their latest fashion-books; but opin-
ions were divided as to whether she was
pretty. As Mrs. Long did not accom-
pany them, there was no opportunity
after the service for introductions, and
they crossed the street again unmolested,
save by curious and interested glances.
Young Brown, lounging at the door for
his usual five minutes chat with pretty,
blue-eyed Sallie Smith, has what he
deems sudden inspiration. 'Did you
know Professor Conrad married native
japanese ladyp" he says, quite gravely.
mo! Really, did he? How delight
ful!''
She is full of enthusiasm and interest
as she looks at him with her round eyes,
accepting without question this inter-
ersting piece of news.
Can he venture further? II think
her name is Yum-Yum," he says, with
a little hesitation, and again with mark
ed success"
what funny name!'' says Sallie,
quite innocently.
She has evidently not seen the "lNi-
kado." This is really a new and de-
lghtful amusement young Brown has
discovered, and none can say how far
he might have pursued the subject had
he not been suddenly interrupted.
Mrs. Smith, missing Sallie from her
side, gives her an imperious summons
to join her. She has not quite made up
her mind that she approves of these
chats with Mr.. Brown.
Sallie obeys reluctantly. Her mother
is conversing with some one else, and
she has no opportunity of protesting or
mentioning her news.
stMa, [ want to 60 in and speak to
Lill minute" she says, hastily, as they
pass Judge Farnham's door. And
without waiting for permission, she
enters, and communicates the intelli-
gence to her ssmost intimate friend"
Miss Farnham is of less gentle and
credulous nature than Sallie, and stoutly
declares: 81 don't believe it!''
"Oh, but it must be true. Lem Brown
told me. And now I shall have to run
home, for ma won't like me to stay"
The ball thus started rolls swiftly on
ward, and before night there are few
people who have not heard that Prof
Moncure, Conrad, Mrs. Longs nephew,
had married q Japanese wife. Some
even averred that anybody could tell it
was so to look at her, and discovered
unmistakable Orientalism in her hair
and eyes.
Mr.. Thompson Black, a visitor in
town, lounging at the courthouse cor
ner, hears the tale. Though he has not
mentioned it before, he had college
acquaintance with Moncure Conrad,
and owes him grudge. His own col
lege record has not been of the fairest,
and he well remembers a sharp reproof i
for some misdoing he once received
from the said Conrad. 1t has ranked |
in his mind ever since, but he has never
had any chance Of repayment. MAR
ried japanese wife, did hep he says
to his informant. ''Like enough he's
left two or three others behind him in
Japan. i knew Conrad at College,
1t is but the dropping of
an idle word, but it has its effect.
Bromley is startled; Bromley hesi-
tates.
''This is a queer story about Mrs.
Longs nephew's wife, isn't itp" says
Mrs. Jones to Mrs. Parker. s.Of course,