The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-03-27
TWO STRANGE MEETINGS.

tn. suspension bridge in Il bitter, bind
ing snow Storm.
Her umbrella was in-id" out h"r
wrap had hrnken from it's fastenInSS
and vas lying in TIL. wind; the icy
breezes and iiue PARTICLES of >noW were
whi>tling up her sleeves, while her bon
net and hair were in il white, teathrly
tanrie. becoming mom-ntariiy more
pronouuc-tl as the fierce blizzard swept
across it from The ,lvet. t
She WAS trying hard 10 hold herself
together, looking iespailinsly "lound
the while for some means of getting
across the terrible bridge in safety,
What conid he DO!
He was not the MAJ to look unmnvrd
upon such II picture of DISTRESS, es:ec
tally such "a pretty picture. For she
was pretty.
A petite, compact fgurr, with unmis
taxable evidences OF refinement III ~
ery curve aud outline bright, dancing
eyes, all the brighter III contrast with
the glowing red checks; Il small, finn
mouth, aud a chin absolutely trembling
in its soft nest of feather trimming.
He took in all these details ut i
glance. saw that she was in real trouble.
stopped, and said:
lyon had better wait for ii street ear.
You canot walk across the bridge tni>
morning. There Is Il blast coming up
the river that cuts like million knives,
Il cannot help il. | have to De at
the depot at 9 O'Clock aud there are no
street cars in sight," was the breath
less reply, Us she shrugged with her
unruly um oreIfa.
He took the umbrella from her and
as he forced it into its proper shape
said:
Then you had better let me pilot
you across
She turned her eyes full on him and
looked searchinyly into his face for
nearly half il minute.
She saw "a tall, handsome, brown
bearded fellow, the bronzed cheeks I'm
ted with i, rosy hue that Indicated the
lover OF out door Lille.
Size saw that the bronzed lace Ead il
kindly. honest expression, and us Il
proof that her inspection had resulted
satisfactorily she put her daintlIy -slov
ed little hand OH his arm aud said
quietly
"Tlank YOU"
So he held the umbrella to windward,
and, with the compact little figure
tucked under his arm, and the wind
hooting and grooming its disappolnt
ment us it tried to get under and
aroand the umbrella at the dainty bon
net and hair still in II taugle, he pushed
boldly across the bridge, with his heart
humping IL sympathetic accompanl
ment to the patteriug feet OF his ON
panion.
.Then. as he handed her the umbrel
la and raised his hat, she said
II thank you very much for your
kindness. | should never have crossed
the bridge by myself, | am afraid
Whe- the young lady got home tina:
evening aud told the assembled family
how she had crossed the bridgein com
pany with a strange gentleman there
was a genera! uplifting Of eyebrows
and Struggling of shoulders, though no
one was very much surprised.
Kate SeIby had all the independent
spirit of her age, sex, and nativity, aud
rather enjoyed defying the proprieties
when it could be done with moderate
safety.
Perhaps it was this independent spir
it that made her adopt such an unusual
plan for getting into the house of Mrs.
Douglas on the night of the fancy
dress party a few evenings later.
This party had been the talk of socie
ty for weeks. 1t was expected to be
something unusual in its gathering of
well-known people. not only in..society
per SO but in the professions of medi
cine, law, literature, music. and art.
The costumes were to embrace every
known covering for the human form.