The Opelousas courier., 1889-04-20

'Oh, well, Claire, his Is a different
nature. You know the old saying:
| Still water runs deep I suppose
| Warren did not wish to bind you by
any engagement until the time vas
near when he could claim you. Inever
heard of his ever paying any attention
to any other girl, or even calling on
any,"
''You forget Julia Cameron"
swell, she is a cousin"
"a very distant one."
perhaps she would not mind &C.
cupying a nearer relationship. l never
I liked her. But tell me more of him."
"When he returned home, he came
here Immediately. / welcomed him as
| cordially as I could. The parlor was
full of friends, William Barclay among
them. / accompanied him to the door
when he left, and l am sure he must
have known how much l rejoiced in his
returni
He promised to come the next
morning, but that day and several
more passed. and he came not. Two
weeks after he presented himself.
His manner was embarrassed and cold.
l was too much surprised and hurt to
be any different. After a few remarks
on the changes during his absence, he
astonished me by asking:
"'Miss Legion, in what relation nm
I to conclude Mr.. Barclay stands to-
wards you?'
II could not speak. And, you know
how quickly my face Pushes. / sup
pose that confirmed his suspicion. Fate
seemed against me. Before I could
grow calm enough to answer, William
Barclay came in, and his cordial, easy
way threw down a ticket for the opera,
saying:
81 know how much you admired
this opera, SO I secured good seats
Turning to Warren, he said:
"'You will accompany us, Doctor?'
s'Of course he declined, and almost
Immediately arose to go. Perhaps I
should have gone with him into the
hall, and have answered him, and thus
might have dispeled his doubts. Well,
Harry, I have never een him, to speak
to, since"
"Claire, some one-possibly Julia
Cameron-had told him of William.
Were you often with him?"
Eyes, William is as ardent a lover
of music as myself. He took me FREE
quently to concerts and the opera.
But he knew perfectly well of my cor
respondence with DIR. Forester, and
believed we were as good as engaged.
I am sure he never regarded me other
than a friend, and just cared for me
anyway because I was your cousin.
Don't you remember telling him to
take care of me?"
Eyes, yes. Well, I know some one
filed his heart and mind with doubts
You should have cleared all those
away, Claire. You would have been
happier" a
Tears filled Claire's eyes. She
turned her head away, as her aunt
entered the room.
Harry returned to the bonrst sub
iect, and a few moments after Claire
went out.
ttShe is a dear, good girl; really an
angel of mercy. "Many weary hearts
bless her," Harry's mother said, as the
door closed after Claire's retreating
steps.
Saturday afternoon came, and Claire,
in the prettiest little cottage bonnet
Imaginable, dove-color, with trim
mings of the same shade. presented
herself. rely to accompany Harry to
the promenade c"ncert. &
Even Nettie haeito admit the bonnet
looked "'well enough" as Claire was
just leaving off her mourning, worn
for her mother.
Harry declared her prettier than he
had ever seen her before.
seClaire," he said, as they turned
from admiring a painting onaexhibi-
ton in a window, s'look at that child
standing at the corner! See how Gag
erly she looks into the faces passing!!'
"Oh. yes; and see, too, how much
anguish there is in her face. Come,
We will speak to her!" said Claire, ap-
preaching the little girl.
just then the child's eyes rested an
instant on Claire. With glad cry she
sprang forward, oand caught hold oil
her dress. saying:
You are kind! Oh, come with me;
mamma is dying. / don't know what
to do. They sent me for q doctor.
Where can / 60 to get onep"
eGe with her; I will step owe the
way to DIR. Halls, and overtake you,'
Harry said, Fastening of.
On their way, Claire learned from
the child, her mother was a stranger
IN W. She had come from Vir.
ginia in quest of work. The friends
she expected to find were out of town;
that all their little money was spent,
and her mother grew sick a few days
ago, and she feared would die. because
she could not buy medicine, and was
so weak from hunger.
Claire hurried on, but before they
had gone three squares, Harry over
took them.
.tDr. Hall was out, but / found an.
other. He is coming; will reach there
as o az we,'' he said.
Claire was bending over the six WON
an, when a quick, firm step, entering