St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-15

- Soma SbFAug0 1ICAK pUSSbSSSu Mo duu
determined to return to Long Branch te
live. Aunt Caroline talked to me of the
folly Of such an act and father grew fairly
angry at the mention of it.
He threatened to disinherit me if per-
sisted in clinging to my relatives. Oh
course dared not directly disobey him,
but was tired of my close confinement al
White Hall, and longed fer taste of the
moving, living world. Sermons and songs
had grown old to me, and then ], longed
for the freedom had when child.
Rose was too busy now thinking of hel
own happiness to give me much attention,
SO found chance to manage my own af-
fairs about as pleased.
We were all going for grand fishing
trip. It was to be on the lakes near the
river, not more than four miles from Long
Branch.
This was my chance. I would steal
away from the party and 20 back to
Grannie.
had never so willfully deceived any
one in my life, but felt capable of almost
anything just now.
!. Thoughts shut up want air" So do
people. 1t was so with me. i had been
shut up in White Hall till l wanted 4
change. and was determined to have it.
1t is enough to say our fishing party bad
rain to encounter on the way, as is the
case on all such expeditions.
However, the sun shown brightly the
next day, and the hot steam from the
ground was the most unpleasant feature of
the occasion. -
stayed and enjoyed the camp, until the
last night crept cautiously along the
springy mud down to the deep lake.
Leaving there my plaid shawl and NIT
tens to tell that had drowned, I hastily
made my escape toward Long Branch. :.
For some time was not weary, and ran
along up the broad, muddy road in great
glee. But as / came nearer the city limits
the quiet of my journey became broken at
times, even at that dead hour of the night.
Now cart would come rafting by, then
a footman, wagon, a dog, then both, and
then that awful stiffness of morning
had carefully concealed myself behind
the thickets all the way, but now the moon
was drawing aside her curtains, and eyed
me from her lofty seat in the sky. She
seemed to say, ooh, for shame, Monte
Kingp
High on either side rose the hills, COW
cred with tall, dark trees, and over the
bluff could hear the familiar sound of
the putting engines.
trembled in every limb, and started at
every noise. l thought l should never
get there. ~
Along the outskirt sidewalks hurrying
men began to pass me for it was now
about four o'clock in the morning
/ felt the old stir of the city take posses
sion of me, and with that strange interest
that attaches itself to old things, stroiled
down the street in delight.
l walked down the track aud up the
bluff to Grannie's The small window had
no light. [ felt somewhat timid about
knocking, lest i startle her, and not know
ing me she might alarm the neigbors. And
| was not SO delighted at the sight Of the
Did shanty SIS had thought 1 would be. 2
l had half notion. to start back to the
camp, but was very tired and could not
possibly get back before they would awake
and find me gone. So turned slowly
away and followed cur old path up the
bluff 1t was very dark up there among
ooth in the sky. .
This seemed to be very quietsspot, and
resting myself against the trunk of large
rec, fell asleep, my rovings at an end
md my comforter come -
Well, slept there till morning brought
policeman around the bluff settlement,
md finding me penniless and without means
II support, handed me in at the public
tat10n as a vagrant.
There was locked up for a hearing in
he police court.
would give no reasons for being in the
own, and this made the officers more sus-
,icious. As l was proven to be q stranger
nd being woman, and no charge being
,rought against me, was turned out and
rdered to leave the town Immediately.
This was not long in doing, and sadly
nd in repentance turned my steps toward
White Hall.
I felt my disgrace and knew too well the
lispleasure of my father. All along the
way / made up strange stories to account
or my absence, but none of them looked
plausible, 80 dared not present them.
Nearer and nearer / came to White
Hall, farther and farther drew my pow
rs to think on any subject, and at last
TODD with my foot on my fathers door
tep unable to go any farther.
just then my father came up. He looked
t me in blank surprise, then passed into
he house without word.
What could this mean? I knew then
hat he had heard of my deception, and
lad cast me away in wrath. Now | de-
ervedly felt my friendlessness. com
elled myself to walk into the house and
p to my room, which was just as left
!. Supper was called presently; started,
nut could not go down. saw Rose pass
trough the hall, i tried to follow but
ould not move. | sat and waited aud |
would some one not come for
1e. But no one came The sense of for
akensess so utterly overcame me that |
7ept, and bitterly, too.
Affairs continued SO through the next |
ay, till at night was SO hungry could |
tand it no longer. When the bell rang I |
rent down. No sign of recognition greeted |
ne. There was dead silence in our
ouse, which knew was no favorable |
men.
/ ate at the table without so much as be- |
az spoken to. My father did not lift his
yes from the plate. It::was a dreadful |
rdeal to subject young girl to, but my
ather thought it best. 4,
DR.. Miller came in while we were yet at I
upper. I felt like running out to see |
i'm, but something held me fast.
atAh. Doctor," he said as he advanced to
leet father, 81 called to congratulate you
nd extend You my best sympathies in
our new.found joy. It is surely almost
. the return of the dead. Yet you bear
aAh,. you do not SPEAK correctly. Ny
aughter was lost in the lakes. What |
hantoms of her may have returned. II
now not; but she is not in this world"
DR.. Miller looked astounded when en-
red the room. and greeted me as best
Q could. But my father did not appear
, observe me. 45a