The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-20
GABRIEL'S MISTAKE.

which tho rustic picnic party had taken
shelter from a sudden shower Tucked
away down in this hollow, why It's like being
out Of the world Oh, ia Ike 20 keep house
here"
"Promiss you'll keep houso Tor me, too,
won't you Lcttyf said Larry Undcrhill,
laughing, from where 10 sat on dilapidated
table
And me-" choruScd all the young fellows,
except one leaning apart. who now turned n
dark and scowling face upon the rest
Lefty bluShed as she glanced toward him,
and answered ovasively, But there isn't
room for all % YOU"
make your choice. Lefty, said UnderhiIl,
Eravely. "Shut your eyes, turn round thrco
times, and stretch out your right hand.
Tho Girl laughingly obeyed, and, whether
by accident or design, put her hand in that
Of the dark young man standing alone He
grasped 1t firmly with a sudden smile Ike
sunshine on his lowering face. and forced her
TO remain there with him, facing them ell
Bravo cried Underhin, You're in luck,
Dallas Now, Just stand stul while make a
sketch Of you both
But Gabriel Dallas face darkened again.
NO, ne answered, ''some other time Mr..
Underhill
Steve Thatcher gave coarse guffaw
"You necdnt mind II it's about Lefty. Gabc,
for he's GOT a whole cargo o. pictures Of her,
haint you, Mr Underhillf
Gabriel Dallas looked like an Italian pic
turo and Stove Thatcher ike a clown, and
perhaps Underhnls appreciation Of this,
rather than Stoves evident desire 10 irritate
Gabriel. made the Young artist snub his l0ut-
iSh questioucr
Il don't know precisely what YOU mean by
e q cargo, he said, suporciliously, but gen
orally jot down anything which strikes me.
In that way hope 70 preserve tho relnem-
brance Of your own picturesque figure, Mr.
Thatcher
There was laugh at this, for Steve was
long, lank and uncainly. Hecolored angTily
now, but. not being able 90 answer Under
hills mockcry in kind, was silent Presently
il ceased raining, and they al went ont into
the open dir again, Lefty stin with Gabriel
Dallas
Lefty had come 10 Stonybank the previous
spring with family named Barton, 10 whom
she was kind Of adopted daughter. They
themselves were shiftiess, ne'er do well peo-
PIE, not thought Of much account IN Stony
bank. But Lofty was not like them. And
then she was 80 bright 50 winning, and 50
exceedingly pretty that before she had been
long IN the village she was its acknowledged
belle Gabriel was supposed 70 be the favored
lover. bat they had been kept apart 10y his
moody jealousy. which, once aroused,
amounted TO a positive passion, making him
suspicious, unreasonable and obstinate.
Gabriel came naturally by these jealous in
stncts Old Lawyer Fernald, down az Stony
bank Corner, who has a living record of al
the country history round about, said that
the young fellow was descended from q
French or Spanish sailor, Manuel Daloz by
name, who had wandered 10 Rockport, the
nearest se7board town. and from there "a
Stonybank, where the local usage converted
Daloz into Dallas Gabriel, the latest de
scendant, possessed that peculiar family TEN
permanent which had marked Manuel Daloz
tine wauderer from tho hills Of southern
France.
Gabriel had a good farm, he was sober and
industrious and, when not in one Of his DARK
moods, open and kindly. He was strikingly
handsome, toe; with his black, liquid eyes
his clustering, tawny hair, and the warm
toned bronze Of his complexion He might
almost have his pick among the village girls
but no one had seemed 10 make any real ilQ
preston on him until he fell in love at hI1i
sight with Lefty Walsh, with whom, how
ever, his jealousy had prevented dcfinit,
understanding till the day when tho girl laic
her hand in his, down there In the old house
Ia the hollow.
They were married after a very short en-
Cagement The Bartons, like tluo rolling
stones, were about 10 leave Stonybank for
some place in the far west, 50 the wedding
took place before they went All Stony
bank was there, besides good part Of the
Corner, the families OF which mostly repro
scented much higher social grade Among
those who came was Lawyer Ferneld, with
whom, Gabriel was favorite, and his grand
daughter Corr, young lady who had beer
finished IN a city boarding school. Tn,
other guests were not surprised 10 SCI how
mucl attention Larry paid TO pretty Cora
He was considered a mark above most of the
village bclles-althOugh Lefty had sometime.
been rallied about hlm-so they did not MIND
hisdevotng himself 10 Miss Fernald, who ais
moved in range. beyond their own Lefty
herself was really tho prettiost girl IN th'
room, and her deep blue eyes, with theii
shading OF curling black hair and lashes, hei
bright complexion and soft sweet look con
trasted effectively with Gabriels intenseI
southern beauty. So thought Underhill a.
his eyes fingered on them. The young artisi
was an old acquaintance Of Lettys, having
boarded with the Bartons the summer befor,
they came 70 Stonybank Careless, easy go
ing aud rejecting, he led a wandering lite IA
pursuit Of bis art, but, being independent OF
II, ho was not forced 10 continued exerton
70 that his painting was like himself q thing
OF beginnings and caprices.
The weeks went by, the Bar;ons had long
been gone, and still Larry Underhll stayed
on Ia Stony bank, driving, walking anu
sketching with Cora Fernald He did not
leave the place until near November, and
then Il was reported that she had had a letter
from him.
"What'd tel you that night az Gabe4
weddingl' sagely remarked Eben Wrentham
And since then I've seen him, many's the
time, trampin' the woods after leaves aud
things for her"
Steve Thatcher gave a coarse laugh. did
ye ever watch a ground sparrcr try 70 get
you of the track OF its ncstf tn keep i1t
term round a treo stump Us II there warn
anything on this earth 1t cared about but that
particular spot. -
"You mean the Fernald girls tho tres
stump
"How bright you be, Eb, 70 find that out IT.
answered Steve, mockingly.
"But where's the nest. SteveT asked Eben,
looking puzzled.
Steve turned his head and look Of con
sternati.n came over his heavy face as be
saw that Gabriel Dallas was listening. Il
mast be goin' home, ho said, abruptly. Il
amt got no moro time 20 fool round here,
and be started up the road
Gabriel joined hun. For time they walked
ON In silence, ftcvo seeming constrained ant
uneasy. Finally Gabriel spoke
'Stevc ho said, what did you mean by
wha, you said TO Eb-about Miss fornald
"Oh, l don't know; Just somo Of mo en-
Eds fooln', CUES % answered Stove cfasivc
~, looking askence 40 the set face that belied
tho quiet words
Look here, Steve and Gabriel faced
round on has companion. 81 know you meant
something. Now, what was lti'
Steve gave am awkward laugh IL don't
$50 what business its Of yours, anyway
CalQ - Ia aqfI Il amt eucu.ralln 10 Won