The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1888-09-08

| face and figure was intensely lndicrOus,
but il never occurred to Westfake
to laugh. His feelings were Of self-con-
graduation on attaining the end Of his
journey and concern as to whether or
not he would be received within its
gates.
| "Good evening, sir" he said with
insinuating poIiteness, taking inward
note the while of the inviting comfort
Of the house set back among some an
cient and gloomy cedars, and an appeti-
sing odor Of bacon issuing therefrom.
"My name is Westlake, SIR" he con-
tinued. 81 have been told that you
would probably accommodate me with
lodging, at least for the night. i have
come out from Chattanooga for little
recreation and mountain air."
The frank manner in which this was
said was prepossessing, and the tall,
lean feeder of the hounds, while he had
the slow, suspicious nature OF the noun
taineer, tad sheen about" some In
his days, ns he often remarked, and
! "Was no fool"
| Into the lack k-luster face, stubby with
grizzled beard, dawned an expression
of shrewd humor.
uWail, light and take OIL yer saddle,
stranger. Ye can hitch yer critter thar
| TO the post ef ahe won; stand. I'll 90
and asst Ange."
With dry chuckte at his own hu-
NOR, he DISAPPEARED into the house
with loud clump.clump OF raw hide
! boots.
| 81 like this" Wcstiake said rs he
dismounted and stood looking about
him. blouse little "of color by
daylight fancy, in architectural point
of view, but big enough, that's bless
ing; position, andccdars romantic, view
of valley inspiring, aud old Smokey,
grim sentinel, looming in the distance.
Old man characteristic If not strictly
picturesque.I Il like it all round, yes-even
to that cdor OF fried bacon which sa-
lutes sine" nose. But who in the thun
der is Ange; aud what il she declines
the honor of taking me? Women are
so uncertain" As he shaped this last
| thought smile came into his eyes
and died away in short sigh on his
( lips.
The heavy boots came clu,nping
back again and down the walk to the
gate where tho young man still stood
resting his arm across tho saddle.
There was some perplexity and
.
manner when he spoke.
81 don't see Ange nowhur. Reckin
she's down to the Pastur. 1t don't
look hospitabie to leave ye a staudin'
here. so ef yen walk in I'll hunt Ange
up. Ell she says no ye won't take it
hard will ye, stranger? Ye see never
do nuthin' th'out 'astin' Ange?"
IT Westlake had put his reply into
words, it might have been something
like 'confound Ange - as he followed
his host into the hall.
There he was invited to stake
cheer" while light was procured.
Tho old man had just stepped back
into the hall with sputtering "dip"
in his hand, when there was a sound
of light burrying footsteps; a slim
young figure sprang forward through
a low door somewhere out of the
shadowy dusk, and catching both
brown and brawny wrists, candle and
all, in her two hands, cried out in a
clear voice, instinct with childish
nerriment;
"Stift starch, Pappy Here we go ~
Round aud round they went, in that
circular movement peculiar to "stiH-
starch," the candle as it lightened and
dariSened, flashing first into the EN-.
barrassed yet gentle remonstrance in
the old mans eyes, and then revealing
u mon:entary vision Of laughing,
witchiDg, wilful face, neither wholly
childish nor yet womaniy.
They paused at length, breathless
and exhausted, while the candle gave
II final flare aud went out in darkness.
Tho girls voice is full of most intense
enjoyment.
"You've got a pretty good pair OF
legs yet, haven't you Pappy?"
a profound and startling silence falls
after this. Silhouetted against the
still light evening sky, she sees the
form of a man in her fathers big, split.
bottomed chair.
"This is Ange, my leele gal, Mr..
Westiake, and a sassy ieeIe imp she
air, too" the old man turned round to
explain, waving the candle stick in
the girls direction and still somew hat
, blown for breath.
"She's allus up to some kind OF dew
, ilment or ruther. This here young
gent wants to know, Ange-Gee-whiz
Ef she amt the skeericst creetur!"
3 He scratched his head, and stared
3 vacantly at the spot no longer occu-
, pied by his daughter.
Suddenly an inspiration seemed TO
seize him.
+ "uold on minnit, you ~ man."
D he politely requested as he left him
c once more alone.
When he returned n few fuiuutes