St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-01-02

CHAPTER XXI.--CONTINUED.
From Erastus they heard but seldom,
but knew him to be at work On his claim
at the Slough.
Mrs. Parsons had written him of the
destruction of the old home, and of
their removal to the new, soon after its
occurrence, and also of Jennie's mar
riage to Ensign and their removal to
Chicago.
OF Lucy's breaking with Mr.. Annel-
sey she did not write, thinking possibly
it might not be permanent, in which
case it would be better for Erastus, if
still feeling attached to Lucy, not to
have his hopes raised to be again dashed
to the ground
Mr.. Annelsey, however, did not plead
very earnestly with Lucy to reconsider
her action in Diminishing him. 1t was
several weeks before his reply came;
and then, while he expressed regret at
her decision, he did not urge her
very strongly to reverse it Knowing
that his parents would oppose his mar
riage with poor girl, he had not in
formed them of his engagement, and
NO comments would therefore be made
at its being annulled; a fact upon which
he now congratulated himself.
He had already begun to feel his al
lection for Lucy weaken with absence;
was. in fact, becoming enamored OF an
other young lady in whose society he
had frequently been thrown since his
return to New York, and whose posi-
ton in wealth was equal to his own;
and although he told himself that Luz
cy's letter had broken his heart it is
probable that after the shock to his self
esteem was over he was rather glad
than otherwise.
If Lucy expected or desired more
vehement protestation of love from her
disguarded suitor than she received, her
manner upon opening his letter did not
reveal it. -.a
She read the letter in the presence
Of the family, and then calmly handed
it to her mother The next day she
replied to it, reiterating her desire to
be free from their engagement and ask
ing the return of her letters.
II shall send yours, together with the
ring and other jewelry, by the same
mail that takes this letter" she wrote
him, and having sealed it and seen it,
in company with the package, safely on
its way to the Office, she went about her
usual duties with cheerful, even mer-
ny air, which was great source OF COM
fort TO her parents, and of especial sat-
isfaction to her father.
..f Rastus 'ud only come back now
it 'ud be all right" he unused, and feel
inc certain that the young mans attec-
ton for Lucy had not waned because
of absence, fully expected him to come
hack and ask her to be his wife.
For this he waited with Impotence,
wondering at Erastus' delay and IN
venting excuses for it.
aspect the poor fellow hasn't jest
got the money by him to come on" he
said to himself.
And then again: s.May be he's put
tin in his crop an wants to finish Sc
it will be CROWN while he's gone Or,
s'like enough, he's a-workin' for some
body else for q spell an can't honorsbly
get off right away
But as the weeks passed into months
and the only evidence that Erastus had
mot forgotten them was letter express
ing his sorrow at the loss of their home,
and hope that he might some time as
sist them if they should require it, but
never a word about Lucy or any inten-
ton of visiting the family, all hope Of
seeing Lucy married to the man whom
he loved as a son and respected for his
manly qualities began to die out Of
John Parsons bosom. -,
"'Rastus was always awful proud:
he said to himself, ''an' I reckon ne
can't get oyer the girls preferr'n Oh