The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1886-05-15

S.'iS' lie wore d Blue flannel SHIRT, ana
ms coat was quite as shabby as the one
oeienIS father wore. He stood i'll front
OF the organ, with his hands in his
pockets: For few moments he did not
speak, but seemed to be listening to
1he music. Then his eyes fell on the
flowers.
"Where'd you git 'em9" he said, sud-
denly.
Found 'em," answered, Seleni, quite
as shortly.
He came step nearer and held out his
hand.
''Let me see 'em."
But Seleni drew back hastily.
Pay for 'em first I'll sell 'em cheap
lie thrust his hand still deeper into his
! pocket, then tossed silver dollar on top
OF the old organ. Then he took the
flowers, and studied them intently as he
turned the bouquet around.
Tell me where you got en-" he
asked, pleadingly.
Found 'em," Seleni said again. ga
| lady throwed 'em out the winder"
The young man said something under
his breath, the turned and walked away.
face and hurt look in his eyes. AS she
looked after him he gave the bouquet a
toss, and 1t fell in the muddy street, only
to be crushed the next instant by the
wheels OF a passing wagon.
" Hain't there enough money yet 2"
asked her father, touching her arm.
Yes, dad" she answered "Well
go and git some supper, and then we'll
find place to sleep"
The little parlor of Mrs. Murphy lodg-
ing-house was crowded with miRers that
evening. Seleni left her father Seated
contentedly in corner, and stole out of
the front door. She was so used to, an
outdoor life, that she felt suffocated In
small, close room.
Some one sat on the lower step, with
his head in his hands. He locked up
and saw Seleni, as she stood hesitatingly
in the doorway,
Don't be afeard," he said, kindly.
1t was the young man who had bought
the flowers
Seleni sank down on the steps, and
drew her old blanket shawl still closer
around her.
'It's cold out here" said the young
man. "Mebbie you'd better 60 in"
81 h'aint cold" answered Seleni 'I'm
most always outdoors"
"Where'd you say you found the
posies 2" he asked, suddenly raising his
head
"a young lady throwed 'em out. She
had yeller hair. 1t was a house with
white curtains at the winders. I didn't
set no price on the flowers" she added,
hastily. You needn't have paid so much
for EN-"
II hain't complainin' of the price"
said the young fellow. 'They cost me
pile to begin with"
"Did you give 'em to her? asked
Seleni, curiously.
eyes" he answered, shortly; "more
fool too"
'They were faded" remarked Seleni,
consolingly.
eyes" he said, bitterly. "she'd had
'em twelve hours"
His head dropped on his hands again.
81 wouldn't care" said Seleni, softly.
The young man glanced at her. Seleni's
eyes were soft with sympathy; she looked
so fair in the moonlight.
''How old be you?" he asked abruptly.
Seventeen" she replied, wonder
ingly.
"And you travel around with your
eyes," said SeIeni. 'Dad likes to
travel. He won't let me do nothin',n
she replied, proudly. "He says he
reckons he can support me-"
'Can you write?" looking eagerly into
her pretty face.
considerable, answered Seleni. 81
was to public school once"
Il h'ain't get no edication," said the !
young man, sadly; land want to get a
letter writ"
"I'll do it." offered Seleni, eagerly.
"Will you, now?" and the young fell
low sprang up. "Come on into the
kitchen. "There's never nobody there"
In a few minutes he had brought
oeleni sheet of paper and pen and ink.
They were alone in the little kitchen
that was scarcely more than shed, and
The girl seated herself at the pine table.
'Begin Darlin' Lizzie" said the
young man, leaning anxiously over her
In a cramped hand, and very slowly,
Seleni wrote: 'Darling Lizzie"
'Tell her love her!' he burst out.
Tell her I'm goin' over to Red Mcun-
ain tomorrow, but she can write to me.
Jim Conroy'll read me her letter. She
needn't say nothin' but Yes or No.. Got
t all down2"
'Pretty near" said Seleni. "You
'old me such an awful lot" She was
handling the pen awkardly.
A bright color had come to the young
mans cheeks. His hair was light, al
most golden, just the color of the young
ady's, Seleni thought. She glanced
iown at the letter. Would Darling
lizzie say Yes, or No.
"Got done?" said her new friend. "Pll
axe it over to the postoffice. II
He sealed the envelope carefully and
'ut it tenderly in his pocket. Then he ,
leld out his bronzed hand.
Goodbye. I'm much obliged to you.
I don't never see you again wish you
rood luck.n
As he passed Seleni's chair silver dol
ar dropped into her lap.