The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-10-27
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALVA MILTON KERR
EoPYRIaHT, 1885, by THE A. N. KEILoea
NEWSPAPER CoMPAHY.l
CHAPTER X.-CoNr1NUEn

CHAPTER X.-CoNr1NUEn
"Do you like it hereP" asked John
Earring, gently.
81 like the prairies, sir, l think they
are beautiful" said the little maid,
where she sat with her hands folded in
her lap.
For years thereafter John Earling
could close his eyes and reproduce the
silvery voice, and with it the little thrill
that touched him at it's first sweet ca
dence.
Judge Bower excused himself and
went up to his chamber, and Mrs.
Bower into the dining-room.
II dare say it is pleasanter at your
home" said John Earling.
'1n many ways it is, sir. Mamma
has lived long time in Washington.
and there are many beautiful things
there, and many sad ones, too. 1t
seems very free and quiet here and
like it"
Her eyes were so steady and lumin-
GUS that for the first time in his life
John Earrings vision faltered. while
the war was going on presume there
were many disturbing things" he said.
eyes, sir, we saw many dreadful
sights, and were often much disturbed.
We were at the grand review of the
army just before aunt and [ came
West. 1t was glad time; l cried for
JOY, l was so so glad that they wouldn't
kill each other any more"
ut is very cruel"
30 sir, only those who have been
near it can think how sad it was. My
papa lost his life at the beginning
and the big eyes filled.
John Earnings heart was touched
and he looked down. Mrs. Bower re-
entered. Celeste, dear, tea is ready"
she said. "Come, Mr. Earling." Then
she called up the stairway to her hus-
band.
When they were seated about the
snowy table Mrs. Bower said, with a
happy smile: -,
"This seems good, doesn't it judgeT'
Then to John Earling. with a laugh;
1--WE never had any children, and we
get lonely sometimes watching each
other across the dishes, you know"
at fatigues her, not IT, said the
Judge, calamity. "We would be glad
to keep Celeste if we could" he added
though she doesn't talk much she
might witness that have not outgrowr
the honeymoon, as wife intimates. She
thinks it quite orphan-hke to be child
less"
Then his face became grave; hi
seemed to have bethought him O.
John Earling and Celeste's loss.
Your parents have been a long
time dead, have they not?" asked Mrs
Bower, very gently.
Eyes, ma'am," said John Earling
$50 long l do not remember them
Sometimes seem to remember then
a little, but think it is fancy"
"You did not lose them naturally,
believer
mo, ma am, MIR. Whitney has told
me that my father was murdered, Of
met at least a violent death, and my
mother died of broken heart"
John Earnings eyes were upon hi
plate, and Celeste's grew very seft a.
they dwelt upon his face. II have
thought much of it." he went on
'there seems to be some mystery
something insoluble, unsettled; some
times think Ishall ultimately know, but
perhaps it is only my desire"
''Can not Whitney throw some igh,
upon itp" suggested Judge Bower.
81 think not, sir"
There was some property"
Yes, sir; but it fell into the hand!
of person who had purchased it
My father was robbed of the money
directly afterward, believe.
Was there nothing leftp"
Nothing, l think; but I hai
thought when my Indebtedness to Mr.
into it
az should think it might be ad
visable," said the judge.
After supper, at Mrs. Bower
suggestion, Celeste went to the piano
and sang song in an inexpressibly
sweet voice. 1t touched John EARRING
He was very sensitive to music, and h
thanked her. Erelong he arose, say
ing he must 60 to work again. Thu
judge and Mrs. Bower insisted that h.
should remain through the night will
them, but he felt that he should be a
work, he said, and bid them good
night. Mrs. Bower went with him tt
the door, and the silken-headet
Celeste, whose luminous, sober eye!
had dwelt continually through the
evening upon his face, ran out to thu
fower-garden from the end of tn,
porch and brought bunch of tea
roses and put them in his hand. "Yo,
must come again." she said, innocent
ly, ~ like to hear you talk" ant
John Earring went away with hi
cheeks very red.
After writing until late in the office
of Bower & Woodman that night, hi
found lodging at the public house
where the book-keeper Fowler took hi
meals, and the next morning that quie
person handed him note from Joe
Whitney, requesting him to call at thu
store as he wished to see him. Johl
Earling went directly to meet hin
when he had done breakfasting, ant
entering the Office found Joel ALREADY
at his desk.
Young man." he began, turning
his huge bulk about with not very
comfortable or composed look upol
his face, "you was tolerable brash yes
terday morning with ME, and thinl
made some statements not justified b,
facts, but of course it Won't go outsid,
the Office as nobody but Fowler wa
present, but l have concluded ate
sleeping on the matter to give you an