The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-03-09
Paul retreats indoors with Felix
following closely.

The silvery moon tends like a
sickle overthe tall, soughing piues,
lighting up the grand bay with its
eiful2ent rays. A tiny boat with
two occupants floats noiselessly
along. A white-robed vision oc.
cuples one end OF the boat. Her
scarf trailing across the boat
catches the drifting seaweeds in its
long tassels. A subtle perfume of
some delicate kind fingers around
her such a picture Titan would
have delighted to paint.
A strong, manly form sitting in
the opposite end of lhe boat, deftly
using the oars, drinks in the glO
rious loneliness of the woman be-
fore him.
Paul, for it is he, notices that she
seems entirely unconscious of his
presence. A cleaning diamond,
the only jewel she wears, reflects
its white light from a fairer throat.
The slender form in which it is set
III some sort OF filagree fashion,
appears like serpent with it iOr
an eye. A diSagreeabie sensation
comes over practical minded Paul
at the thought of so repuIsive
thing even in the ideal, in connec.
ton with so sweet a woman as he
has found her TO lie. For in truth,
he thinks the widow has proven to
be one OF the most unaSsumIng and
lovable of her sex.
His heart had been won from the
first by her quiet manners, and
whenever they had met, or where
ever they had gone, either to con-
cert, ball or drive, the gossips had
always rehearsed the whole affair
tor the delectation of their audi.
ence, always ending with the wise
remark, 81 told you so," and pre-
dieting just how it would end.
But the pair were unconscious OF
the comments of those around
them, while the curious and Iuqulsi-
tive gOssiped beneath their very
noses.
1t is doubtful, also, whether the |
two would have cared if the had
known.
The widow had, however, become
quite favOrite with all, and they
we're careful that none OF their ran
lom darts should reach her, much
20 their credit, be it SAID.
In return, Letilia greatly essjoysi
he summer days spent in this re.
.reat of pleasure. She likes all her
colony of acquaintance, and espe-
,lally does she like Paul, whose in.
Inference to the fair ones surprised
her often. Sometimes she would
smile behind her dainty silk fan at
lisseeming stupidy, when the bean,
iful dem0iSeles used their most
Deguiling efforts to win bis atten-
ions Ouly to be politely Ignored.
Sometimes she would tinI her.
self thinking of him and feel vexed.
'If he were anything like Mr..
might imagine | had
allen in love with him." and a gen
lie sigh would escape her as she
Inns soliloquized.
Tonight as she sits in the moon
light and watches the moving waves
'ecede and CONE, as the light boat
skins along, her thoughts have
back to the happy night
before her wedding day.
She had drifted along OH the
liver just like this, with Randolph
Churchill by her side, aud thought
aerself the happiest of her sex, for
'he deeply aud truly loved her hus-
land that was SO soon to be, aud
knew her love requited.
Three weeks of welded bliss, and
,omiDg home to her elegant house
rom visit she found it in cOnlu-
ZION and the servants horror-strick-
u, while her dear husband lay
out dead upon the sofa.
lie had been killed by blow from
lis horses hOof.
Her nature had scarcely yet re-
covered from the shock.
"Whdt thoughts hold carnival
Within yOuf mind to night, Mrs.
Z" at length asks Paul,
fter valnly attempting to break
he silence by shifting his oars aud
Vhistling low air.
Letitia Churchill wakes from her
everie, chiding herself mentally.
or her abstraction. She laughs a
musical laugh, aud says in reply:
81 WIS thinking OF nothing that
would interest you, Mr.. Partou."
"Can anything that has chained
'our thoughts ascompletely for full
lalf an hour fail TO interest me y
Isks Paul in a low voice.
Letitia starts and glances at the ]
ligh uncovered forehead, and kind
Y eyes of the speaker opposite F;
he would prefer that the cOnversa-
ion would not take a sentimental
urn, aud judges 1t best to be can
lid and divnlge her thoughts. She
las always enjoyed Paups atten-
ions, but sue has never regarded
lin as a lover.
81 was thinking OF an occasion
imilar to this. On the night be-
ore my wedding-day, Sir. Church
u and l we're out rowing"
"Whewr mutters Paul, under
lis breath, , how old we're you then = I
"Seventeen aud day. she returns. |
"And much handsOmer now than |
hem says Paul smiling.
Letitia opens her dark eyes vide
Il this commitment. Itis the first I