The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-19
WAITING.

| lived some distance from the home of
her girlhood in one Of the rich parishes
| of Louisiana.
They lived out in the country, about
/ twelve miles from the Mississippi river,
and on the border of the loveliest sheet
of water ever beheld. 1t was lake in
I reality, but the native inhabitants call
ed it river. They seemed to attach
| very little importance to the beauty Of
its scenery: indeed, it was ignored, ex-
! cept by strangers who visited the coun-
/ try In the midst Of this lake was an ISL
and, at times fairy like in the hazy at
mosphere. From the residence of my
friend it was my delight to contemplate
the shifting reflection of droll houses and
tall trees mirrored on the waters CLASSY
surface. On fine evenings | sauntered
on the banks and watched these chang
ing aspects Of sunset. Sometimes we
drove around the shore that we might
catch a glimpse of the orb extending it
self into fiery column across the waves.
During several of these rides my at
tention was attracted by dilapidated
dwelling which stood at some distance
from the road. 1t was partly concealed
by dense shrubbery. resembling in foil
age the Cherokee rose.
Each time we passed the house / noticed
the figure of a woman sitting at the top
of the front steps. Her general appear
ance struck me as that of creature in
forlorn condition. She seemed emaciated
in form, was wretchedly clad, and wore
over her head something which seemed
to be colored handkerchief ct first
my curiosity was not in the least excited,
for often on our excursions round the
lake had met women in similar attire
But when evening after evening we rode
by and saw the creature in the same
position, her elbow upon her knee and
her chin resting in the palm of her hand,
began to wonder whether she ever va
Gated her seat at the head of those stairs.
The idea even occurred TO me that she
might be some permanent object which
my vivid imagination had transformed
into an aged crone.
WHO is shey' ventured to ask my
friend; that ancient dame who has sta
toned herself over there"
Ancient damep' she exclaimed, "why
she is only few years older than am"
scrutinized the youthful figure and
well preserved features beside me.
impossible! she seems old enough to
be your grandmother.
Indeed she is not. | remember the
time when we went to balls together
She was then an acknowledged belle, and
so charming in appearance that she ex-
cited the envy of all the girls in the
country"
And, pray, what manner of evil has
befallen the woman and reduced her to
this untimely state of decrepitude?"
Her history you may find sadly in
teresting. Shall tell 1t to you now"
by all means" | replied, land mean
while l will watch the last rays of the
sun sporting among the peach orchards
and shanties on the island The scenery
demands admiration"
"You would not believe" began Es-
telle, that the crazy old house we have
just passed was once the residence of a
planter who lived in grand style ac-
cording to the opinion Of his contempt
raries, in antebellum days. Its appear
ance would Justify you in doubling my
statement, for there is no vestige left of
its departed glory. 1t was, nevertheless,
once considered a comfortable and at
tractive home, where the young people
of that period often met for social en-
loyments. perceive from your face that
1t is difficult for you to associate those
crumblng walls with home once COM
Portable and pleasant. But you must
bear in mind that this portion of the
parish was settled by a class of people
very simple and primitive in their mode
of living.
They were under the impression that
they had been blessed with the good
things of life, and they accepted their
lot with contentment. Old Mr.. Jacob.
the owner Of the place, was man of
that sort. Although uneducated and
somewhat uncouth in his manners, he
was kind hearted and sociable, and al
ways anxious TO have his friends about
him He took particular pride in "a flower
garden, where JaSInineS and olives en-
balmed the air. and where choice roses
and a variety of shrubbery fouriShed in
reckless profusion! You now find no
trace of this old fashioned garden; shrubs
and plants have all been swept from ex-
istence."
All but the Cherokee rose. | teasing
ly suggested. WAS that CHASED among
the rare plants:'
That thick growth which you have
taken for the Cherokee" continued
EStelle, lis a species of climbing rose.
much like the cloth of gold. 1t once
trailed over summer house, and Is.
perhaps, the only relic left OF the pleas
ant past. Il = evi.ent that the rose
has grown wild. for it Is rio,ing over
the premises. Cecile, that ancient
Dame of yours, was ne youngest OF Mr..
Jsce BIS family. just at the close OF the
war she was in the bloom of youth and
splendid tvpe of Creole beautv-tsll
and 1.-THE. and the grace Of every noti,n
gave one an undehnes! impression Of the
Incidence and volaptuousness Of her
nature. She WAS brunette with a rich
color. and her dark eyes were rs melting
as those Of a gazelle.
The gIrl was n0s considered INTEL.