The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-10-23

The sleek waiter, taking an inventory
of my dusty dress, Didn't think Miss
May was at home" but that young lady.
who had heard my voice in the hall,
settled the question, by 1lying down
the stairs; and with an "Oh. YOU dar-
ling" drawing me rapturously into the
parlor. where she stunned me with
questions and kisses. The excitement
over. however. she subsidized into a
llstless, yawning manner, which seemed
to be habitual to her, and had time to
examine her.
She was, indeed, beautiful. Small
and plump, with shining hair, lovely
hands, and such eyes and cheeks. She
had, besides, an ease of manner. and
small-talk power" only attainable by
a tirst-rate belle. and which drew large
drafts on my organ of veneration, till
discovered-well, never mind just row,
only thought of Uncle Josh on the
"cOrn law"
But her chief charm was gone for
ever, her impulsive frankness. Her
heart was a citadel, from which was
excluded, and she wouldn't allow any
but masks of thought to parade on the
walls. l knew that there was a secret
hidden somewhere, and I planned all
sorts of ambuscades, and always the
sparkle in her dark eyes told that she
understood, and had foiled me. So I
calmed down.
81 can wait" said 1 to myself; she is
only woman, and if I keep still the
secret will out in spite of her.
Meanwhile, l did my best to find out
why that very handsome young Eugene
Apgar haunted the house as persist
emily as dear, good. stupid Mr.. Lacy
himself, though she would scarcely
vouchsafe him civil word or glance.
So the time passed on. The ap-
pointed day drew near, and she had
been showing me all the glory of her
trousseau, descanting on it with more
than a milliner's eloquence till ex-
hausted, and silence reigned by mutual
consent.
1t was twilight, aud something more
for l could only see by the red freight.
as leaned back. enjoying the luxurious
stiffness, the gleam of. the diamond
engagement ring ON her little hand, as
it tiuttered like an uneasy young dove
in her lap. The subdued hum Of the
busy outside world, the scarce heard
hustle of the house below, and the
silence, the occasional dropping of
coal, and the steady ticking of Louis
Quatorze that might have been the
good old "eight-day" clock at home
formed chain, along which l had
gIided gently back to my dear country,
when
Shall l tell you what it is?" she
asked, suddenly"
"t-what tell me-?" and I woke
up and came back to New York.
"The secret" she answered mischiev-
ously, THAT you have been fishing for
so long. Better take me in the humor.
may never feel so like it again.
go on. I'm ready for any disclos-
ure."
She drew her chair up by mine, laid
her head on my shoulder in the old
schoolgirl fashion, and commenced.
"Once upon time-for this is a
fairy story, understand, Nelly, and you
are to remember it as such-once upon
a time, was guilty of high social mis-
demeanor My father was dead-you
know, of course, that the present gem
tleman is my mothers second hus-
band-and my mother was poor. 1t
followed, as consequence, that was
poor too. At school the girls were never
done sneering at my patched cloak and
my pride, and some of the boys fol-
lowed their example; but Eugene
Apgar, who was you needn't START also
a schoolmate of mine, was never among
them. The fact is, we were in all the
agonies of a first love;' disease which
requires. you know, strict course of
stocking -mending and lectures to eradi-
cate it; and the remedy not being Wig
orously applied in my case, l was very
much in love indeed. till one afternoon
as fate would have it-I went to call
on Eugene's sister q was very fond of
her, of course), and coming quietly
up the walk. saw Eugene sitting by a
very pretty young girl on the doorstep.
instantly recollected that he had told
NE his cousin was visiting there: and