The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-05-07

eating his dinner alone. For supper he
was few minutes late. There was an
other place prepared at the table. He
interrupted inquiries about it by pre-
sonting himself OPPORTUNITY with the
occupant, lady.
Lot me introduce my wife to you,
ma'am. / telcgraphed her this morning
after you left me. told her to come
right along here and divert her mind
can stand the expense. She didn't
want to como in to supper but told her
you would excuse her appearance.
ma'am. She hasn't had any time TO Ok
up; been travelling ever since three.
ME passed away easy and quiet as a
baby going to sleep"
Mention has not been made of his
voice. 1t was trumpotal in its volume
of sound, and his words, heavy, unmod-
ulated projections, fell like missiles OF
wood on the ears.
ut was an elegant funeral, my wife
says, and tho parsons address she con-
siders a triumph of oratory." This last
sentence seemed also matter of pride
with him. 81 told my wife that she
would like you. Mary, didn't ] tell you
you that you would like He touched
her on tho shoulder to corroborate his
statement, and so she was forced to look
up at last.
His wife! That his wife! Twenty,
perhaps more An oval face black hair
In a heavy mass at tho back OF her neck,
and eyes that would have been called
tho most beautiful in tho world if they
had not to be called the most grief
strickon-eyes of supernatural beauty
and divine suffering. Her mouth!-her
mouth was quivering from lips to chin.
Ono OF the two women had to leave the
table; she could not.
The professor came in to the break
fast table the next morning alone, but
radiant.
81 nevcrslept better in my life, ma'am;
and 10 disturbance of the stomach. Did
you notice that l eat the fried mutton
last night, ma'am? Woll, thought
would hear from that mutton before
morning; but | did not, ma'am All
quiet; all serene. My wife sho did not
sleep so well-sho is q poor sleeper
and tho baby did not sleep at ALL she
says. She says sho walked him up and
down tho room pretty much all night
long. told her not to mind me, to do
just exactly as she pleased; not to worry
about my breakfast and my dyspepsia. l
had brought her here to have her pleas
ure and l could manage to get along.
And now, maam, what shall we do this
morning?
"What! Going to leave? Going awayl
Oh, you had better not 60! You had bet
ter stay day or two longer. Why. I
am not going for two or three days yet
| Well, ifyou can't stay But am real
sorry. never did meet lady whose
society enjoyed moro than yours. Is
that your hack, now?"
Eyes"
"Well, I am sorry. I thought we
were going to have real good timo to.
getheE. You can't change your mind?
Well, am sorry. Let mo call my wife
to tell you goodbye. Oh, it's no dis.
turbance; she is just in her room. Maryl
Mary"
There was no answer either to the call
or tho knock upon the door, near which
| we unfortunately were standing. Be-
fore preventive could DO thought of,
1t was flung open by his strong, quick
hand.
"come in! Come right in, ma am
Here's Mary! She will be delighted to
see you, and right sorry to hear that you
are going away"
The woman, not attempting to rise,
sat as she was, nursing her baby. The
black dress of last night lay thrown
across a trunk. She wore faded red
calico wrapper; her hair, which had not
yet been combed, hung in two long,
thick, tangled plaits. Her faco was
still as beautiful as tho night before,
only the daylight showed what tho dim
light had not, the hectic spot in each
transparent cheek and tho feverish
brilliancy in her eyes.
YES, ma'am, the baby is considered to
favor me; he is what is called in these
parts 'growthy.' | tell Mary he looks
as if he wero going to DO self-mado,
too"
"Undoubtedly."
Growthy! with six months progress
of nose and mouth toward tho original
self-made type, and breakfasting as if
he too had chronic dyspepsia. his heavy
little hands grasping and pulling the
breasts to which his large mouth chung
determinately. And ahe had to DO tho
mother of this, and the vito of Mati Oh
destiny!
A photograph had dropped from her
hand to the floor. 1t was easy enough
to sec the face-not so pretty as Mary's,
but stronger And this was her first
day in tho grave; her first day of rest
on earth, perhaps.
''Well, ma'am, you must excuse Mary
She is only a country girl, and has not
had advantages like you and NO.
The professor was forced to the apol-
ogy, for when tho photograph was
silently laid in tho hand that claspcd
the baby. Mary bowed her head and
wept bitterly.
well, ma'am, really havo enjoyed
your conversation. appreciate culture
wherever find it. | am sorry you can
not see tho Malo and Female College,
ma'am. | would take pleasure in show
ing you over it, ma'am. | would have
been pleased to explain to you my sys-
tenn of co-education of the sexes, ma am
Some neople are a frai id TO tack co-odnca-