St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-08-16

lace. Straight she went, but trembling
to the ''parlor" OF one OF the leading dry
goods establishments on Washington
street. Later In the day, that dusky place,
| smelling of new flannel and factory looms,
| would be scattered all over with tired or
waiting shoppers At this early hour, not
soul was there-except one. That one
Dora saw was Robert Wiley, who had en-
sconced himself in the very dimmest COR
ner.
Even in the agony of that moment, and
through her three wells. Dora noted a cur
ious change in his usual appearance. The
fair mustache had abandoned the graceful
droop that she had always admired SO
much. and was curling ferociously, with
much valor of BARRIERS wax. A monstrous
fiat bang was brought down close to his
eyes, u la Wilson Barrett, as she had never
seen it upon that forehead before. vio-
lent odor of cologne weighted his whole
atmospheric a stunning necktie replaced
his usual black one, and ac1 oss his breast
was testooned fiashy chain. His gloves
shrieked with yellowness. Altogether he
was gotten up to kill, and evidently meant
to do it.
She went directly to his corner, but did
not accept his awkwardly offered hand.
"Sit here beside me, beautiful one," he
murmured, with just suspicion of thestric
grace
Chow do you know that am beauti-
full" she said hoarsely and with pins be-
tween her teeth to disguise her sccert.
"Doth not memory tell me- SO, exquisite
one?" he murmured, even more stagily
than before.
"Thlnks I'm that red headed idiot" she
moaned in spirit.
But her only outward remark was
vicious sniff, hearing which Robert Wiley
looked more sentimental than ever. Appar-
emily he mistook it for sigh
As she sat quite speechless beside him,
he CROPPED beneath her long cloak, and
found her unresisting hand.
"l'll let him 60 on, she muttered, "till
the most effective moment comes then I'll
burst upon him. and appall him with my
indignant face"
"Ihis little hand" he crooned, chow |
loved it in days gone by How once each
rose tinted finger played tunes upon my
heart-now joy, now fear, now rapture,
now suspense How I dreamed that one
day it would wear my betrothal ring"
AS he spoke, he gathered her fingers,
one by one, in his clasp. Only one re-
manned uugathered. When the whole
should be gathered-then
'Finally," he continued, ''fnally took
heart, and provided myself with an en-
gagement ring-not second hand one for
a.dollsr-but one holdings single diamond
encireled with pearls to spell the words.
my wife Now, if can find that ring, l
shall claim my wife, and no man or tricksy
woman can part US asunder."
He gathered the last finger in his strong
clasp. 'Ah, here it u.s." he cried, burst
ing with wicked laughter. here is the
very ring?
Fortunately, there was no one but
themselves present at the tableau that
ensued.
"Oh, Robert" whimpered Dora, then
you knew it all the timer
CATER the first letter, darling. l could
not receive two letters day from the same
writer, without noting suspicious like
ness in them, especially when | always
read your letters half a dozen times.
knew you must have met Kit Lse during
your absence, SO l put two and two
together, and concluded that two could
play at that little game as we'll as one."-
Margaret Bertha White.