St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-03-17

any more than he ever did; but then
she wanted to dance, and how coulC
he ever please her if he couldn't do ex
| actly the things she did? Still, he hac
pleased her, and with very little effort
for the quiet, earnest youth was tai
and very handsome, and would gradu.
ate with honors; in consideration Of
which attractions his earnestness Nigh,
easily be forgiven, even, indeed, if the
earnestness itself had not certain
charm OF its own, as at least a novelty.
So, if Robert had pleased her, and she
had pleased Robert unlike each other,
as they were, and everybody acknowl-
edged that it was perfect love match
ON both sides, why might it not be pos
slble that she would please Roberts re-
lations? though not so much as slip
| per-bow would she sacrifice from her
pleasant worldliness to secure that
much-to- be-desired result.
AS it CHANGED, a test of her resolution
IN this respect was offered Immediate
ly. Mrs. Marvin and Edith had hardly
been shown to their chamber, after
their arrival at the Longworth home,
before Edith opened her travelling bag
and exclaimed in dismay:
"Oh, dear! oh, dear! Mamma, my
slate-pencil is all broken to bits, and
my crimps are all out of curl. What
ever shall [ do? Oh, I know! Esther
said she would be in the next room if
wanted any thing"
In another minute she was tapping
at Esther's door.
81 am so sorry to trouble you, but
my slate-pencil is all broken to bits in
my bag. Could you let me have one
of yours?'
''Thee would like slate-pencil?"
said Robert serene sister, with evil
dent bewilderment.
Eyes. for my crimps, you know.
They are all outof curl, and so tumbled
that | can't possibly go down stairs
looking So
''But could thee not comb them out?
| could lend thee comb to comb them
out"
Il could, of course, but you've no
idea what a fright I am without my
crimps. Robert never saw me with my
hair straight, and I know he would
hate to have his mother see me unless
Twas looking my very, very best. Of
course, you know, / have another bang
in my trunk" Edith made this frank
confession with wild instinct that it
would be best for Roberts relatives to
know the worst at once, so that any
possible concessions to be made after
ward, though she would not yet ac-
knowledge the possibility of concession,
would strike them in the light of unex-
pected improvement-''but my trunk
hasn't come; and SO if you could lend
me pencill''
III am afraid have no slate PEN
Gil faltered Esther.
well, a pipe would do; haven't you
a pipe handle? just common white
pipe, such as the children have for soap
bubbles, you know
IF thee will wait a moment, I will
see" said the discreet Esther.
Edith in the meantime made her
way back to her own room and waited
in suspense, while Esther went slowly
down stairs, questioning her con-
science, and yet very 10th to disap-
point the little witch who was depend
ing upon her. She had made up her
mind to be very tolerant of the worldli-
ness of Roberts fancee, but to be called
upon to aid and abet her in it, was al
most more than could be reasonably
of her, even by Robert And
yet it would be SO unfortunate to begin
the visit with family jar! She had a
terrible consciousness that there was
pipe in the house-Richard, her little
nephew, had had it for soap bubbles
only the week beforehand to tell lie,
even a white lie, and permit herself TO
be unable to find it, was something |
more terrible to Esther's conscience
than even conniving at curl. AS it |
however, she really could |
not find it. Here was certainly suffi-
Gent excuse for going back empty
handed; and yet, and yet-when she
came to the foot of the stairs, Esther,
instead of going up, turned aside into
the kitchen.
Bridget. could thee spare moment |
10 60 across to the corner grocery and |
get me pipe-a common white clay
oipeP'
"A pipe, is itP'' said the wondering
Bridget.
Yes, Bridget; pipe; a pipe
or - for blowing soap bubbles.
Esther. ''Thee knows,
Bridget pipe such as Richard had
or his play"
ayes, know" said Bridget, wiping
Ter hands on her apron, and then re-
moving her apron. And it's soap
bubbles they do be wantin' to blow al
'eady? Faith, I'll send 'em up plate
ull for dinner"
edith has won her first battle"
wrote Mrs. Marvin to her husband that
s.and without wound or
corn on either side. Ionly wish you