The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-09-11


The flowers he had sent her. the vol
uptuous spicery of the tuberose.' the
great p,js5lon-heartcd red roses and
glowing carnations. All Whispering of
love and clamoring with fragrant breath
f0rgrace to the sender: tits. threatened
to yanquish her last scluplNand COM
plete the conquest. He understood too
well her extreme sensitiytngas t. their
influence. She had told him how in
childhood She had pattertd into the
garden alone at twilight to hear the
bluebells tinkle silycrr and meet the
dewy-lipped roses with kisses.
This sixth sense wa peculiarly active
now. 1t lad grown With her growth.
She lifted the bouque. from It's bed of
damp moss and held it against her
cheek tendcrly. 1t was charged with
passion. 1t sent delicate vibrations
along her nerves. The red roses bent
their heads ip responsive caress. The
carnations wooed her They were sen
tent, sympathetic, like the tlowers Of
TennySOn s garden song.
She had had dreams like other girls,
sweet maidcnly anticipations of mar
rage, as Tie outcome of love But owen
Richards 10y SLOW. carefully worded pre-
sentations, had made her understand
that for legitimate reasons lie could not
give her his name. This idea had taken
possession Of her SO insidiously that
now instead Of shrinking from it she
was almost ready todefy the :ifty headed
Cerberus of society for his sake.
She had promised to decide that night
She placed the flowers in water aud
walked the room with sweet, tumutu-
Gus thoughts of her lover.
Gradually, calla lily, rising tall and
fair IN the centre Of the bouquet. com
manded her attention. 1t stilled the
elamor of the roses 1t infused into
her spirit some of its own passionless
calm. 1t beckoned her warningly to
leave the room. Had her lover by his
zeal to symbolic her stately beauty and
warm passionate heart in the combina-
ton of the flowers defeated his other
purpose?
Strange how sensitive | am" she
thought as she dressed for the street.
with trembling fingers. THE room is
full of whispers and that calla is watch
ing me-"
once on the street the fresh air re-
stored her equilibrium in measure.
her former misgivingS returned in full
lorce as she walked along thoughttulIv.
not needing her direction. And vet
could she give him up. There was
agony III the question. She had put
MN Oil week after week. dailyin% Will
temptation until it seemed she must
surely yield tonight with all these
noatlng iragralctS and seductive whs-
pefihgS IN her room seconding his pas
sionate plradinrs.
ehe louiU herself downtown and
pelhought her OF an errand regarding
Aer work that Of a copyiSt.
IL was dusk when she decended the
marDie steps inside the tall building.
Inc gaS!l%ilt showed a woman Gro .ch-
iAe inside the street door.
Beatrice glanced at the fraved velvet
eioak and feather in the hat of the
iofiofn creature and shrank from the
dreadful wild eyes into an uneasy de-
sire to be safely outside. She stitled
scream as the woman clutched her
sAift, gaspng: I'm starving stary-
.ng Give me money I" with the half
savage expression of hunger in her
tone.
beatrice drew back and scanned the
face. " - WV
II cannot be Rose Lawton." she
said unwillingly.
l mad hoped you would not know
"e The girl returned as she staggered
weakly against the door with a hollow
cough.
beatrice was quick to act.