The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-12-18
James Pink sat on the marble seat

Mlddle-aSe0 man InaI ne was, AiS Ho"i
beat as if it were disordered. You would
have said he had touch Of palsy, if
you could have seen the twisting OF his
mouth and fingers. And he winked
again and again, as if the sun were In
his eyes instead of held at a distance by
the tree above him. After time, our hero
rose reluctantly, sighed, wiped his face
with his silk pocket-handkerchief and de-
parted. He knew better than to shatter
or risk the statement of his ideal by
an interview, until he was prepared for
the consequence, might they be ever so
disastrous. But he was not, therefore,
the less liberal in his praise. He lauded
her loneliness and her figure until he
was again at the portal of the Hotel
Vesuve.
1t was really absurd to mark Miss
Pinks conduct towards her brother dur
ing the remainder of that day. She was
supercilious, deferential, tender and
commanding, each in succession. But
all her moods were powerless to affect
her brother. He was as little moved by
them as if he had been a rock. His
voice was strong and decided when he
replied to her questions. And, more
over, Miss Pink was exasperated to find
that he was sufficiently changed to be
able to treat her with a certain amount
of condescension. In effect, her brother
behaved towards her as political min
lister might behave to small sutton who
pestered him with demands in the midst
of his business, but who had certain
claim upon him for civil treatment
which he might not repudiate.
81 can bear this no longer, James,"
said Maria in the evening, after dinner.
She felt some terror lest her brother
should go off again with a cigarette in
his mouth. Had he repeated this iniq-
uity, she was resolved to cause a scene,
in public or private, 1t did not matter
which. But no. With an air of phil
osophic abstraction that proclaimed his
peace of mind, he had followed content
edly at her heels when she had left the
table to retire to their private sitting
room. She had thus the less cause for
complaint. Yet she was too aggrieved
to perceive this.
'What can not you bear, Maria? Is
not the service of the hotel good enough
| for you?"
s'The service of the fddlestick! You
know that am concerned about very
different matter. 1t is your own well
fare, James, that is at stake, and Heaven
knows have not watched over you from
the time you were a helpless little babe
i mean, of course, when we were babes
together say l have not been for
twenty years in the position of guardian
towards you, without acquiring strict
and conscientious estimate Of my re-
sponsibility."
eyes, yes," observed James Pink, as
if he were, from sense of duty, en-
couraging diffldent client to unbosom
| himself of his troubles.
| ''Be silent, James-with your yes,
yeses!" exclaimed Miss Pink. 81 will
not be interrupted! Who is she, say?
Tell me at once where I may find the
creature, and put an end to the tragedy;
for it is tragic, ind' 3D. in it's effect upon
your heart, James, which had come to
regard as soft, tender and humane"
"Maria," said James Pink, benignly,
when his sister paused, 81 do not admit
that there is reason in your plea; but
let that pass. The attachment is of the
purest-the most Platonic kind. have
never stood within twenty PAGES of-ot
this divine being
'And yet you are fool enough to sup
pose she is one of natures beauties, -
observed Miss Pink.
sit is my turn to cry BE SILENT!
Maria,'' replied James Pink. SIT is
trifling with the highest, the noblest of
human sentiments, thus to cast cold
water upon the blossoms of hope. You
shall see her for yourself, sister. That
will assuage your enemity, if any thing
will"
81 can quite believe it," said Miss
Pink Nothing could please me more.
The sooner the affair is ended, the
sooner we shall return to our earlier and
more comfortable condition as an af
fectionate brother and an affectionate
sister, each anxious only to promote the
others happiness"
"Hum!" murmured the lawyer, strok
ing his chin, and with, for moment, q
recurrence of the light in his eyes.
$50 to bed, James," said Miss Pink
abruptly; 1--WE have had enough excite
ment for one day."
Without another word, and with but
single kiss of salutation, James PINK
took up candle and went off to bed
He dreamed for eight hours of his fail
one, and awoke the next morning still
with exultation in his heart.
Miss Pink on her part sat and read fol
an hour and half after she had wished
her brother Goodnight" and retired
confident that she had the reins of vic
tory once again in her sinewy, firm
hands.
"Well?" she said, when they sat op
posite to each other at breakfast again
81 see, James, that you are still a little
foolish. Let us get the illusion owe
without loss of time"
'The illusion, indeed" said james
Pink, Indignantly. II am going there
Immediately after breakfast. If you
choose you may accompany me-"
81 ask for nothing BETTER" remark ed
Miss Pink, with emphasis. Sh'
straightway left the room, and err
James had rid himself of the fear
which came upon him with his sister
words of acquiescence in his impetuou
proposal, she had returned, bonnetet
) and gloved, and carrying in her hand
red parasol with a long stout stick
Humbly, for anxiety oppressed him ant
sense of approaching evil, Jane!
Pink left the hotel with his sister. The,