The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-01-23

So ~ s,fezoH
''wHERE DID YOU COME FROM?"
Lieutenant Anterior must feel hon
ored, my dear, in the frank avowal Of
pleasure you have just made"
II assure you, Miss Holland l can APP
preciate Miss M avs feelings, as /, too,
have been far from friends and have
longed for the sight of even a dog
from home! And besides Miss May
and are old and privileged friends
are we not?"
A smile and nod of the head was
her answer.
II, too, have known what it is to be
far away in foreign land, and to long
for the sight of my own countrylnen.
At such times | used to pour forth my
longing in song, and have sung Home.
Sweet Home" until my voice was
cho1ed in sobs," said Miss Holland,
while misty vail seemed to fall over
the velvety darkness of her eyes.
In instant Doug las seemed to be
floating idly on the blue Italian waters,
while from the shore came the sound
of Home, Sweet Home" sung with
thrilling sweetness. 1t was only an
instant, and then he was talking of
home friends with Miss May Durfree,
while his eyes followed the movements
of the other as she strolled to the end
of the little wharf.
Awaiting himself of his acquaintance
of the lively May, who was genuinely
glad to see some one from her own
home, Lieutenant Anterior called
shortly after at Edgewater Hall and
saw her and her favorite teacher.
Happy days followed, for he soon
learned to know the hours when his
friends were out for exercise. and as
often as he dared he joined them. He
also met Miss Holland on different oc-
casions at various private residences
where the Lieutenant was being lion
lied and where Miss Holland was an
honored guest. Her voice thrilled
him as of yore, and a near acquaint-
ance was but making him a still
stronger captive. And Alice was not
entirely unimpressed. Drawn toward
him at first in talking over the scenes
they were both familiar with in for
eign lands, she could not fail, as time
went on, to see his devotion and to be
impressed with it. And yet, although
she was learning to watch for his COM
ing, to feel a sense of loneliness when
he left her, she was not wholly en-
thralled Practical, business woman
that she was, in spite of her artistic
temperament, she could but feel that
Douglas AthertOn's life was devoid OF
aim, that no great purpose urged him
on to deeds of activity. Possessed OF
ample means Atherton had led an easy
life, stationed with his regiment in
pleasant quarters at Fort K, near
the large city of Lawrenceburg. Alice
had dreamed of a knight whose life
should be one of earnest endeavor,
whose spurs were not lightly won, and,
although she was drawn to this one
with the pleading eyes, she would not
give up her long-cherished ideal OF
the hero who should claim her as his
own. She had turned indifferently
from many admirers feeling that:
IT'S as easy to be heroes, as to sit the idle
slaves
OF a legendary virtue carved upon our father:
graves.
One Saturday Anterior had per-
suaded Alice to &c with him for a row
on the lake. For the first time he
!, felt they were secure from inter
, ruption and he meant to tell her of hi:
love. The day was perfect, and they
, rowed far out over the water. Douglas
thought Alice very lovely, as she sa
opposite him, her navy-blue wool dress
. relieved by white polka-dotted hand
kerchief tied in a nautical fashion
around her throat, her face shaded b,
a blue silk umbrella. AS they rowe'
over the water she sang a barcarolle
t her voice coming back over the waite
f in answering echoes.
''See that vessel" she cried; ''hoy
) motionless it lies there far out on tn
: water"
Yes" he answered, glancing at tn
, limp sails; cit is becalmed. 1t saw
t there this morning"
0 Does it not remind you of an ain
less life, dependent on the winds of Gil
$ cumstance, blown here and there, a
. the case may be?'
/ No; rather of one who takes th
r good the gods may give and calml
enjoys life undisturbed by the dee
r waters that may be surging beneat
= him."
t Gould any one do that? Would it /
= possible to live such life? Are we M
+ placed in this world to be, to do and
:. suffer? Dare we drift with the tide?
;. Alice, as she spoke, became very carr
n est. Unconsciously her eyes sougl
Y those of Douglas and seemed to que
ton his very soul.