St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-03-07
LITTLE QUEEN.

that could be given her. II have dismissed
Patrick. He has been robbing the dairy
ungrateful wretch. Dolmer discovered II
and begs that he shall 60 to-day. Is il
not dreadful?"
ut is, indeed, grandma. Patrick Ia a!
honest IS man can be-
"But Dolner, child, Dolmer says"
1--WE have had 10 peace since that man
was engaged" cried Queen, in q temper
you have been deceived by him. He Is
q horrible and wicked creature, l am sure
Look at his spotted face. his tiger-like
eyes. The hldious wretch is, have no
doubt, an escaped convict. l hate him =
"What coarse language. dear. Dolmel
is q very well-mannered man servant, and
so eager for my interests. You think too
much of beauty"
Pat is not beautiful" laughed Queen.
But look at his honest gray eyes and
good big mouth, grandma. Dismiss Dol
mer and keep Patrick"
The two sat IN lovely room in one Of
the handsomest villas on the Hudson. Be-
hind the sofa on which they had placed
themselves, tall Indian screen of rare
beauty had been placed to ward off the
dsaugnts, which the old lady feared, as
most old ladies do.
| On this occasion it answered dou bic
purpose for behind it crouched slender,
dark skinned man in a servants jacket,
who was listening intently to the con =.
versation of the two ladies.
"Dolmer is good man He prays, aud
reads his bible great deal" said the old
lady.
Always in public" said the girl
An no haDavplarf aociety sreaka IN
highly of M" said the grandmother.
"Whas do they know of him7" asked
Queen Guilt is stamped GA his face;
he wants honest Patrick out of the way
he is member of the dangerous class,
am sure. Grandma, am afraid for you.
Send him away"
The old lady tossed her head.
81 am more competent to judge than
you are, at your age, little Qleen," she
said. Suppose he has sinned and is re-
pentant, shall we not be merciful to him?
| believe he is truly good, poor thing, and
80 attentive. Besides, manage my own
home, little Queen. I am not quite
childish"
every we'll, grandma" sighed the girl.
She passed out into the hall. Patrick
stood there, with his face flushed and his
hair touseled.
"Ould Nick, ssvin' your prisince, Is
'avesdropping to your remarks" he ssid.
"No doubt, Pat" said Queen. "Hsd
my way, he should 60 and you should
stay"
Thank ye, miss" said Pat. You'd
never believe poor Patrick would rob the
dairy, miss and stale butther an eggs an
that is so grateful he'd die |
for the ould lady and both of yez7"
Indeed, do not" said the girl. II |
have tried to get grandma to alter her de- |
cision. However, l know where to End |
you. Pat and think you will come back |
before long. will expose Dolmer, If l |
cam"
Pat bowed, and went sadly and slowly
toward his garnet to get his little blue
,hest, and Bertha moved away. As she |
did 80 cruel face reeped from behind
pantry door, and two dark brows met in
,cowl over eyes that were hardly human.
The man who bad listened behind the
screen listened again. 1t was Dolmsr.
$50 you are my enemy" he said. very
we'll, young lady. All is fair in war"
There was a little supper-party at the
7illa that night. A dozen of the most
elegant people Of the neighborhood had
,een invited. Bertha. in her pale pink
ilk dress, with rosebuds In her black
lalr, was beautiful enough, but at the
asst moment the old lady, anxious to atone
or hor passing ILL temper, added Q touch
0 her toilet.
Come here, child" she said. you
hall have my long promised diamonds to.
light. l have taken them from the safe
n purpose. You know never put them
n now. You are just the style for
iamonds."
She placed the stars in her hair, drew
be golden drops from her ears and sub
tituted little cascsdss Of diamonds,
astened necklace about hex neck and
racelets on her arms. The girl looked
Ike an empress with all this wonderful
plendor added to her beauty.
II shall be really ashamed of myself.
m too 6De," she said.
Nobody can be that nowadays" said
le old lady. "simplicity is out of fash {
n, and the idea that girls must wear I
1ly white and rosebuds. I shall tell them
have given you your birthday present, {
Id made you wear it. Why should / | I
ait until am dead to, give the things to
'u2 You would not enjoy them so much,
Id you are one aud-twenty, Bertha" q
"Dear grandma" cried Bertha, show '
'od you are 1t Is more than deserve, I
bless. indeed, loving you is some claim. v
hen | argue with you 1t is because l t
low YOU are being imposed upon. l. d
here will try to believe as you do a
out 'olmer. OF course you have had
ore experience, and l am silly about g
trick, who has been here so long" Il
my dear, I've cried about Patrick, If q
u want the truth" said the old lady. p
We really BEEN his benefactress but
ey tell me that persons of this class are
ways tuning out badly, and have no
altitude. Systematic plumber, good DOL u
II says, has been going on from FIRST to :,
It. We'll, now 60 and look your pretti- &c
and feel your happiest, little Queen" ~
ID, kissing the lovely girl, the beautiful " y
lady swept into her drawing room, ~
lere the guests soon assembled. !.
It was an evening to remember, and W
cen was in her gayest mood, or seemed D
be. The ruth was, she made an effort til
usual to her, for somehow her heart 10
8 heavy. Dolmer, with his strange, ar
el face, disfgured by its yellow scars, M
drilled the walters thoroughly, and in an
faultless black coat and white tie, a
med to her like Satan playing man Az
want. Many. however, congratulated a
;. Ashford on her possession of q tn
lsure. w.
These Europeans" they said, "under- 90
Id all this sort of thing so much better ev
q other people," an
great tenor from the Italian opera
g for them that night. Brilliant men
led their best; girls looked lovelier -,
ever, in the light of the myriad wax ~ uo'
dies. The. scent of many blossoms 70
d the house. When good-nights were w. "
, the protestations of having had "a 1 Nc.
pleasant evening" were heartfelt; a
SnrAlY LIZ adnnircfinn frn,., .,no~ al 1 OQl