The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1888-09-15
MONROE LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER Is, 1883.

he throws out his arms towards the
distance which divides them. A great
joy takes possession of hin, ami the
blood leaps through his veins like
wine. Here is a message from her.
She has missed him. Perhaps it is an
appeal for him to cone back. He is
immeasurabIy happy for a moment.
Such happiness is never more lasting.
Then sudden revulsion of feeling
slows his heart beats, sickens him.
Only five minutes ago, what was
there in his heart, and what in his
eyes as they rested on another face:
He tears open the envelope and runs
his eyes over the lines within; he can
almost hear her pretty laugh as she
begins:
.'You have so often tried to be cyni.
cal about the uncertainty OF woman,
that I am afraid after this you will be
confirmed. But well-ah, I don't
know exactly what 10 say, only that
miss you tiresomely. and if I acas un.
certain, am 80 no longer.
I went down to the office this morn
ing on purpose to ask of your chum,
Will Billups, your address (after 80
valiantIy refusing it from you.) He
said he did not have it but would get
it from your other chum who was on
the night force. So write this at
Papa's desk, and Mr.. Billups will
mail it for me together with his own
when he gets your address tonight.
I keep wondering all the while how
many miles away you are, and in
which direction, until I am tired.
81 know now what my answer would
be if you were here to ask me. 1t
would be (you can not see me blush as
write itD yes."
What ails him that this tender an-
swer does not thrill him as it would 50
short awhile ago?
the thought indignantly. We'll, it is
all settled now. No more playing with
fire. He is irrevocably bound hence.
forth 10 the fairest, sweetsst-He stops !;
he is strictly honest even in his
thoughts.
All, Leila Bonham what strange
caprice kept you from answer
ing week ago? 1t is such safe
guard to fellow tO know that even
in his inmost thoughts he belongs to
some one.
Next morning he starts out early and
alone.
From the kitchen window where she
sits idly listening to mammy's quaint
grooming, as she is busy with pots aud
pans, Ange sees him depart. She
notes the careless grace of his walk, so
different from her fathers heavy stride.
He has his Tam well on the back of
his close cut head aud there Is certain
carries his shoulders which ia new 10
him.
Something impels him to turn his
head ere he has gone many PAGES. He
does 80 unwilliugly, and sees Il pretty
picture in the kitchen window framed
in with morning giories.
He stops and calls:
HWill you come ?'
She shakes ber head, and he turns
and is lost in the woods.
She sits a moment longer watching
a humming bird dipping dreamily into
the heart of crimson poppy near by.
Mammy's rich voice, with a movement
in 1t as Of rocking baby to sleep, sounds
Il great way of. She can remember
being hushed to sleep by it many time
when u little child:
Come down, angels, trouble in de water,
Come down, angels, trouble in de water,
Come down, angels, trouble in de water,
80, rocky my SOUL"
a feeling of restlessness seizes upon
her ; she climbs down out of her frame,
and looks across at nanny with sun
dazed eyes.
81 wouldn't sing that nanny. It's 90
f0ohsh." Then she wanders aimtessIy
out into the hall. Ii is big and cool
but looks deserted. Finally she stops
before the door of the best room. It
has general topsy-turvy look, so un-
like its usual set and spare precision rs
to attract attention. 1t is no longer
the spick -and-span, carefully arranged
"spare room." 1t is a mans room, and
very careless ones to all appearance.
She hesitates moment, then enters
and begins setting things to rights,
meantime arranging very severe little
lecture in her mind for mammy for
her untidyness.
The odor of lavender has given place
to that of tobacco. The centre table is
bestrewn with papers, cigars and books,
and from the frame work of the very
small mirror set in an old glass K nobbed
bureau, awaits dangle many in NUN be,
and varied in color.
A pretty green and gold volume
sprawling open, and face downward or
the window sill attracts her eye. She
picks it up, and sitting down, examine:
it with a pleasant little thrill of expec
tancV and Oleasure when she saes il il
Tennyson's poems, There are no such
luxuries about farmer Browns house.
She opens at Launcelot and Elaine