The Opelousas courier., 1889-08-03
Of tewelry, the stone that sparkled !.

tho head of a lace pin was unmistak-
ably 8 diamond. She had been well
cultured and every word and action
showed a purity that fitted her name.
On the other hand, Philip was as
much a mystery to the young girl.
He was a gentleman beyond doubt
But what was he doing there. a man
of culture, refinement and aesthetic
tastes, in that farm house2 He had
said nothing of the Boudinots. which
would have explained it. With a little
affectation of cynicism, which did not
ill become him, the man was as
clear as water, frank as air. But
why did he loiter there with no APP
parent purpose? The girl did not first
deem that she was the attraction, but
it came to her after five weeks, and
she grew shy, and her shyness for the
last w~eet-Sher stay infected Philip,
who became shy too, and lost all ease.
At length she announced to Mrs.
Cooper that she had to return home.
and that her father. who was in Phila-
delphia visiting friends there, would
come for her on the following dsS and
his friend with him. Philip heall this
with a depression that told him he had
met his fate and that it lay iTshe
power of this girl to make him happy
or miserable for life.
All the night that followed, Philip
lay and tossed restlessly. He could
not sleep. He felt that his father
would be as good as his word, but he
would win a wife then or never. Near
morning he arose. dressed, ard sat at
the window until the sun showed itself.
Then he slipped out of the house and
strolled toward a glen a few yards of,
intending to remain out until he heard
the breakfast bell. It had been a
favorite haunt of the two. and yet for
the last few days both had avoided it.
He made his way to a messy rock
which formed sort of rustic seat, and
there he saw-Gwenny.
"Miss Gwenllian" he exclaimed.
She rose with a rather embarrassed
sir. II rested badly last night, Mr..
Bee, and I came out at daybEeak.
have been here ever since. Thesmorn-
ing air seems to refresh me-"
II have the same experience" he
said, II have rested badly, or rather
have not rested at all. IL
She looked up inquiringly, and at
something she read in his eyes,
dropped her own, while a flush over
spread his face and neck.
"Gwennym he said, desperately. and
took her hand. The fingers trembled
in his, but were not withdrawn.
"Gwenny. darling" he said, are we
to part to-dayP Do you know that
love you deac!P"
do you-Philip?" she murmured;
but she did not look up.
"Gwenny," he said, Il have been
sailing under false %colors, but inno-
Gently enough. / have a way among
my gentlemen friends Of using my in
itials, and so / am called among them
2. B., or Mr.. B. When your aunt
asked me my name, I said Mr.. B. and
I did not care to undeceive her; but ]
desire no concealment from you, un-
less you do not ARE for me. Then we
will part as we met; but l shall be a
changed man."
He waited for a reply. There was a
slight Tightening of her fingers on his
as she half whispered:
You must know that I care for you,
Philip 4
Now. darling" sad the exultant
Philip, "you must let me opeak to
your father to-day"
~ fear you may find him rather OBJ
stinate." sh said. He sets an undue
store by his daughter"
"I can satisfy him of my position in
society and that l am able TO maintain
you. have ean of my own, and
have-well / may say | had, greaS ex-
pectations; but my father, who is sew
eral times a millionaire. has taken
into his head to fit me with a wife. /
prefer to choose for myself. If you
will be content to share what ]
have Philip Briggs does &C. cares for
"Briggs-Philip" cried Gwenny,
releasing himself from his ftrasp and
looking at him wonderingly. 80
your fathers name John?"
Eyes"
"And he lived in Philadelphia"
Yes"
Gwenny burst into a peal of silvery
laughter.
do not feel vexed, Philip" she said
at length. II am only laughing at
the similarity of orr positions. My
father chose a husband for me in the
same way, and it was to escape dis
c~ussion of the matter that I took these
few weeks ~rustication. Mrs. Cooper
is my old nurse, and 1 have called her
.aunty' from the time I could toddle
around. She was married from our
house. He husband had very little
money, and father bought them this
farm and stocked ii. But; oh! think,
Philip, dear, how your father and mine
will chuckle! You are Philip Briggs,
and II am Gwenllian Spriggs!"-
Boston Advertiser.
-S