The Opelousas courier., 1889-11-16

warm; much to his satisfaction, for she
did not object to his covering them with
kisses.
The teamster came up, and Nellie
found time to scold him for his stupidity.
81 know you by sight, Jim," she said.
"But that shan't save you. Go you shall
from my uncle's service"
"But, Miss!"
"No butts! You might have killed a
dozen people, you goose"
GAS true as I live, Miss, I've always
heard as how horses will run in winter.
when the moon is near the full, as
its been proved this dayl So crisp-hke
everywhere, Miss, what can you expect
of them"
"swear you'll never leave your horses
without tying them tight" commanded
Nellie, haughtily.
"Faith I'll swear whin I'm out of your
prisince, Missl" Jim humbly answered.
The horses were unhitched from the
sledge, and the young people undertook
to drag Genevieve home, which the stout
poles at the sides of the conveyance as
sisted them to accomplish, as the glrl'
could take hold of them and propel,
while the young men dragged the cum'
brous concern. The fair invalid was pill
lowed on muffs and covered with newt
markets, and was pleased to revive nicely,
It was first sunset and then deep dust
when the catafalque slowly reached
home.
It may be supposed that dinner was a
little late that evening.
Nellie came into the parlor before tho
others, looking lovely, in still another
of her Worth dresses, and Balkan was
! waiting for her, ready to pounce.
, Nellie's eyes, which looked unusually
big and bright, because she had been cry
: ing all to herself, filled again with tears.
She edged away into the anteroom, and
he followed.
81 meant" she replied, soto voco,
, "that when you love her, and when shi
, loves you, and when you come out into
the 'backwoods' and have plenty Of OPP
portunities, and when we are all looking
on from a respectful distance, 1t Is per
fectly stupid of you not to offer yourself
to Genevieve, and I should have tainted
and died both if I had been in hei
placed She showed great s~elf-control not
: to have died. You had no business tc
~stipulate the tree, anyhow, for of course
, she would expect everything to be set
tied before she got there. Oh! of course
YOU think me outrageous to NEEDLE witt
you and talk right out as if I were
novel, without respect of persons ant
open secrets; but I'm nobody in particu
j, lar, and I will love Genevieve and put IN
, fnger into her affairs if 1 like to! Ant
I'll Just add this: that I'm going to az
range to have you both driven by tn
. coachman tonight in the big sleigh
=. while we are apportioned off to little cut
1 tiers. The drivers seat is way up"
"But, my dear Miss Featherby-''Nel
: lie"
CHOW, don't be disrespectful: O
course I can only ask for an outward show
of respect after telling you to offer your
; self to my dearest friend, whom we al
know (goose) you are hoping to win; bu
that show of courtesy Istipulate for"
sBut how can I ask Miss Chamberlain
! in marriage if 1 love you?" Balkan
: squeezed in, desperately.
! Nellie sat down on the arm of a chai
: and looked up at him aghast, blusnins
q and appealing.
+ "Oh, you can't be in love with me-!
{ she painted.
o st wish you would not be so %scornful,
he answered. "You ought to have know
8 it. Months ago, | was crazy abou
Genevieve, like the rest; but only for
t week, for then I met you. A man dom
sit staring all day at a girl unless he dote
onherl While I stare at you, your ute
g Indifference to me is something appalling
4 but I had hoped to win you in the end
Then you take me by the the throat, yanl
}, me in front Of somebody else, wit
Y orders, martial in their haste, and nov
cast me into q perfect sea of premature
9 ness; for, of course, you'll spurn my all
unheralded revelation. But I'm q
obstinate as you are, and love you I will
r by Jovel" Balkan sat down ON anothe
'chair-arm, and being trim as a marbl
statue for dinner, and not having time t
a brush his hair again if he tore it o little
q thrust his thumbs in his pockets an
y glared at the fire.
. A faint rustic of heavy silk at hi
elbow made him feel exultant.
"If she consents to it, you might pro
: pose to me, then, in the Russian sleigh!
He turned, and the little creature
!, superb eyes met his. He caught he
}. hands, and studied her face with blissfu
care.
81 thought I was of no great account,
: she murmured, all of a tremble; and wa
suddenly kissed in a way that made he
Il . = n - Fl ~