Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-09-26

dame of yours, was the youngest of Mr..
Jacobs family. Just at the close of the
war she was in the bloom of youth and
a splendid type of Creole beauty-tall
and 1.-THE, and the grace of every motion
gave one an underlined impression of the
Incidence and voluptuousness of her
nature. She was brunette with a rich
color, and her dark eyes We're as melting
as those of a gazelle.
1.-THE girl was not considered intelli.
gent, and her education had been sadly
neglected; but there was in her man
ners a native refinement which gave her
entrance in the best society | remem.
Der so well her appearance at a party
given in honor of a company of recruits
on the eve Of their departure for north
ern Louisiana. Ball costumes in those
days were not elaborate affairs, nor had
fashion much voice in our little com
munity. Estelle wore a satin robe some
what Anticipated in style, but it fitted
her nicely and brought into strong relief
the freshness of her beauty.
you may imagine the disastrous effects
of such combination of loveliness on
the rest of us maidens who had been less
favored by nature. That evening Cecile
received the homage of many hand
some and gallant cavalier. Among the
number was Capt. Lymon, a Texan,
whose regiment had done some service
in the state. The reason of this officers
return to the parish was matter of con-
lecture. He fingered, however, under
plausible pretext, spending most of his
time flirting with the girls.
But after his acquaintance with Cecile
he changed his conduct and devoted
himself exclusively to her. He was a
man of education and apparently of high
standing in life. Cecile was elated and
accepted his attentions with unfeigned
satisfaction. She renowned her life of
frivolity and wrapped herself in a mantle
of reserve at the approach of her former
admirers. You must know that some
time previous to this she had either en-
gagged herself or given great encourage
ment to cousin of hers, Creole youth,
also an officer in the army.
"Victor was dark and of small stature,
but he possessed sort of wild beauty
which fascinated most people. There
was CLINT in his black eyes which re-
minded one of the leaping light in Algol.
The boy was madly in love with his
beautiful cousin, and there had been a
time when she had given him every rea-
son to believe that his affection was re-
turned But since her late infatuation
she had grown cold. and would turn
from him her luminous eyes each time
he sought an explanation of the change
which had overtaken her. He was de-
termlned not to relinqulsh his prize with
out a struggle; hence there were sew
eral meetings at the paternal home
where the antagonistic propensities Of
J the suitors were exhibited in persona
remarks. Capt. Lymon's assumption OF
haughtiness in the presence of his riva
irritated Victor beyond endurance ant
aroused the demon of jealousy in hi
breast.
Zone evening, as it often occurred
Cecile and her two lovers were pacing
slowly up and down the garden walk
She held in her hand bunch of violet
: which her cousin had gathered for her
few moments before. Several times sht
unconsciouslv raised it to her red lips
PRAY. Miss Cecile. said the captain
will You give me those flowers pressed
so warmly to your lips:'
"Cecile looked inquiringly into he
cousins face
"Je te defends Victor muttered IL
a pereinptory tone.
The girl had been spoiled. and, unac
customed to be dictated to. that voice o
authority drove her to hasty decision
Without moments hesitation she turn
ed to Capt. Lymon and laid the flower
81. in his hand. Victor's eyes flashed wit
i Indignation at this unmerited blow t.
: his manly pride. His cousins cruelt.
Glove to his heart as with knife. H
gave her scornful look, turned upol
S his heels and departed A week afte
o this occurred Capt. Lymon was recalle
to his post of duty Thus Cecile foun
+ herself suddenly bereft of both her lover;
This circumstance was not calculate
J. to enliven her situation. She no,
e eschewed the gayeties of life, and relil
s pushed further association with her oil
y acquaintance.
The country was then full of youn
s. girls. whose exuberance of spirits coul
e not be checked even by the sad tiding
a which reached them from the closin
= scenes of war. We had little to do e1
J. cept to alnuse ourselves, and we resorte
r to every possible means Of satisfying OF
y natural propensities for pleasure. w
u took great delight in horseback ride
s. There was lack of cavaliers, but we di
t not care. and rode out in gay partie
lie half a dozen in squad, as we cali i
l. Cecile had generally accompanied u
II these jaunts, either along the river {
Sc down Crosse Tete lane to the woods
l. where the pungent odors of wild plan
ST and flowers filled our senses with exhi
lie arating delight.
lie Before the complications of her 10,
lie affairs Cecile had been the most interes
ed one in our riding parties, for she WI
at graceful rider and fond of displayin
ID ner skill. But after the incident hay
II Just related she declined with persistenC
70 iai l.,