St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-05-15
BY THE GATE OF THE SEA-.
BY David Christie Murray,
AUTHOR OF "a MODEL FATHER, "a LIES
AToNEMENT." ETC.
CHAPTER IV.-CONTINUED.

CHAPTER IV.-CONT1NUED.
There IS not much out of the COM
mon in this narrative to anybody who
does not happen to be in love with Miss
Farmer, or strongly inclined that way.
But to Tregarthen the story seemed one
of heroism and sorrow, and he thought
he could see already some OF those in
ward qualities of which he desired to
assure himself. The daughter of a
clergyman is conyentionally gentle
woman, and h. was already persuaded
that Miss Farmer possessed all desira
BILE womanly qualities when he met her
for the second time They had talked
commonrlaces at their first me ting
and had been aware of the fact. They
talked commonplaces now and did not
know it, because they spoke of books
and art, and nobody believes that he or
she can talk commonplace upon those
inspiring themes. Miss Farmers soul
declared itself more and more freely to
Tregarthen's attentive observation, and
he was more and more convinced that
it was of the right quality and pattern.
The young man had taken apart
ments for the rest of the summer sea-
son at The George and Gorbey
knew by this time in what pursuit he
was engaged. Mr.. Tregarthen rambled
much in the pleasant fields beyond the
town. and Miss Farmer, who had a
taste for botany and some little knowl-
edge of the science, was interchangeable
in exercise. The two young people met
on most days, and the little sister was
old enough to play spropriety, and,
which was perhaps of more Importance,
was old enough to know when she was
not wanted. Any wandering butterfly
was reason enough for a race which at
least took this sensible child round a
corner Of the lane in which her elders
strolled.
The searcher after the philosopher
stone had found it, but not where he
had expected. Everything had grown
golden for him. The smile is poverty
stricken, but there is no smile which
will express his physical wealth of a
heart which for the first time has given
away all its substance.
1t was time for lovers condolences,
and they were exchanged. The sensi-
BILE child had gone full tilt round a
leafy corner, and the young man and
his sweetheart fingered at stile. The
child carrolled with wonderfully
sweet shrilI voice fifty yards away, and
the elders talked.
..You remember said Tregarthen,
sthe day on which we first met?''
Eyes" she answered, with delicious
shyness. His ardent eyes-she thought
she had never seen anything SO tender,
ardent as they were-and her basbful
glance met for moment, and she
blushed a little.
II was lying on the grass, y" he said,
4son the top Of the cliff above the land
ing place, when heard your voice. and
it awoke me.
"Was so boisterous?'' she asked,
smiling, with her eyes upon the ground.
NO he answered, with little ten
der laugh, which of itself was lovers
tiattsry. ..but it awoke me-from a
curious dream" he added, with an air
of odd reluctance.
.Indeed?" she said, questioningly.
Tregarthen began to wish in vague |
way that he had not mentioned this. His
goddess might not care to know that |
one of her rarest charms had reminded
him Of an actress, but, having begun, |
he felt bound to go on; so he spoke
with feigned lightness, and looked
anywhere rather than at his sweet |
hearts face.
II suppose you don't know he be-
gan. what a lovely voice you have!
She made no reply to this, but still