The Opelousas courier., 1886-07-24

leaving Lottie TO amuse herself. 4 ID,
frequent picnics Alice shone as the chic
star Of the occasion. She might be gon'
all day, but returned with her elegan'
costumes as perfect as when she started
while Lottie would lose her parasol anc
fan, and tear great holes in her dresses
and came home with her face and hands
as black as a gypsy's.
/. When Vane and Alice went riding,
Lottie would show off Floss and jumr
hedges, thus provoking earnest remoas.
trance from Vanc. Then the brown.
eyed witch rode faster than ever, send.
ing back gay peals Of laughter to the dig.
nitied couple whom she left to bring uI
the rear.
Of late Vane thought he detected a
certain recklessness in Lottie's freaks.
When going up the mountain, where il
was $ steep that he ~dismounted to lead
Alice's horse, she galloped on, putting
whip to Floss, who rushed up the rocky
ascent, tearing up pebble and turf, over
wide chasms, and along narrow hedges,
where q single misetep would have hurled
pony and girl down to instant destruc-
| ton.
Vane trembled; but to hide his fears,
he gave Alice his full attention.
One day he went into the library, and
found Lottie seated ON the window-sill.
She was unusually quiet. She had been
watching Alice, who, with book in hand,
was promenading on the lawn below,
under the shady trees.
"She is very beautiful said Vane,
looking towards the graceful figure. 81
wonder if she would marry me?"
ssVane Winton, haven't you asked her
yet2"
"Not yet. Perhaps / shall to-day.
DO you think / had better do so?n
@Most certainly" And she ran of
singing merrily.
In a short time she was tearing down
the road on Floss at breakneck speed.
After she had gone, Vane went out to
Alico.
"What ails Lottie2a that lady in
blurred.
"Lottiea / do not understand"
Gas she passed me just a few moments
ago to mount her pony, / spoke to her,
Let me go, Alice Mayl' she snapped,
and ! noticed tears in her eyes. And
then she rode off so recklessly that / am
fearful she will put Floss in a bad tenn
per-
Alice spoke lightly, but Vane's face
pale1 as he walked back to the house,
and waited anxiously for Lottie's return.
Presently he caught sight of Floss be-
ing led slowly back by a strange man.
Then followed a carriage with two men.
one Of whom held a girlish figure in his
arms.
1T took place down on the river
road" explained one of the men to Vane
stThe girl was riding like the wind
when all at once the pony madea plunge,
and the girl landed among the rocks"
Mr.. and Mrs. Winton came h~urrying
out, and the greatest excitement pre-
vailed. They took Lottie into the house,
where it was ascertained that one arm
was broken, and several ugly cuts and
bruises had been received.
When Lottie opened her eyes, Vane
was at her side.
go awayin she cried.
"Never, darling, for T love your
How can you love me and marry
Alice7" she pouted.
II am not going to marry Alice"
ssWhy, Lottie. can it be that you are
jeaIous2' said Alice, taking her hand.
stVane and I do not want each other
g was very jealous, : confessed Lottie,
ssbut please don't go away And he
did not. when you spoke of mar
rying Alice, / did not care what hap
pened to mel
But you refused me.
II know II, but only to tease you."
just as soon as Lottie recovered there
was q quiet wedding, and Alice was
bridesmaid.