St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-01-21

newing our acquaintance with the
friends whom we had not seen for
several years; then we went West to
Sharald, a quiet summer resort on the
shore of Lake Michigan whose attrac-
tons were, as yet, comparatively I'M
known to the public.
/ had been my fathers constant
companion for more than ten years
since my mothers death-reading.
studying, travelling with him and en-
joying his undivided confidence, going
with him on his hunting and fishing
jaunis, even, as if had been the son
that was expected and desired. when
] made my advent into this world.
If my father was disappointed,
however, / was never made to feel it,;
and my name, Roberta Ferron, was
the only reminder that there might
4iave been somewhat different order
of things, had the fates been pro-
pitious.
did my best TO make it up to him,
and, in overcoming that genuine
squeamishness with which most men
are secretly whatever they
may have to say about the true woman
and female delicacy-I probably went
to the other extreme, and developed a
certain hoytlenish, which was especi-
ally offensive to my aunt, Miss Pris-
ella Ferron, my fathers only sister,
an angular spinster of uncompromis-
ing grimness and propriety. My in
tercourse with her, fortunately, was
limited to brief visits at long intervals,
so that her disapproyal did not weigh
very heavily upon my spirits, which |
frankly admit at that period were de-
cidedly in need of restraint.
At this time was only sixteen, but
/ had read good deal of Latin and
Greek; could speak French and Ger
man, and had pretty thorough
knowledge of history and literature.
beside the usual Accomplishments, and
was almost as expert with the rod and
rifle as my father. who was an ardent
sportsman
never was pretty. / was too tall,
and, like my aunt. rather too angular.
NV yellow hair was too striking con-
trast to my skin. which was always
tanned to decided brown, and which
was only MADE tolerable by the healthy
red in cheeks and lips. NY teeth were
white and regular, my eyes were large,
dark, and not lacking in expression.
and were my one good feature. My
father, with all n fathers partially.
! insisted that was beautiful. but Aunt
Priscilla, q more disinterested and relia-
BILE critic. quenched my vanity with
the opinion .'that ! was too odd-look-
ing TO please. !"
1t was the summer OF 1860 that we
spent at Sharald. and the memory of
it, or rather the first part of it. is
delightful to me yet. The sport was
excellent. We tramped over every foot
of the country for miles around, and
spent much time on the lake or fishing
for black bass in which the streams
about there then abounded. We had
|, month of unalIoyed happiness, and
were so con tent with each others COM
panionship that we made few acquaint-
ances.
One evening 1t was the first Satnr-
day in August among The passengers
on the late boatwas Reginald Brand,
who was an old friend and class mate
of my fathers. His arrival was who'll
" unexpected. for although they had
kent up an uninterrupted correspond
ence ever since they had left college,
they had not met since was . little
child, and had wholly forgotten him.
1 He was a peculiar man. can not
tell just how, Or why, though he was
commonplace enough in appearances.
being tall. muscular, with grizzled
hair and mustache, rather heavy feat
ures and eyes that had an uncomfort-
able habit OF scrutinizing you through
their half-closed lids. It may have
been this trick, one Of which he was
evidently unconscious. that made him