The Opelousas courier., 1891-08-22

Tor hall 1t so richly deserves, and o1
Aunt Chloe's unstinted hospitality, Mr..
Powers will not rest satisfied until he has
experienced a practical illustration on the
grass-widower plan.a
Merriwether had arranged to spend the
day on the cliffs of the Kentucky River,
as the ladies expressed a wish to see some
of the romantic scenery for which the
locality was noted.
In the fresh morning a horse and bug
gy and two saddled horses were brought
to the front porch by the general utility
boy, who was to follow in the spring
wagon with Aunt Chloe and the lunch.
| was considerably astonished. even
vexed, when, on preparing to start, my
friend Merriwether assisted his lovely
young cousin to her saddle and then
coolly and deliberately vaulted into the
other, advising my companion to keep a
watchfnl eye on me and see that I did
not deposit vehicle and occupants into
some of the ravines along the way.
The mother was not less agreeable
! than usual, but for one / failed to be
entertained by her conversational talent,
4 IL tCIt q ICt tsstA SClSC Va 1 NACh 11kC
cliffs were reached.
Whether from this slight incident or
the fact of the near departure of the
guests, some important element in the
days pleasure seemed wanting.
The fair Annabel herself appeared
rather quiet and constrained, / thought,
and even Merriwether had undergone d
change.
Could it be that his fair companion
had been disappointed in her cavalier of
the morning PreSlmptive though the
thought was, it afforded me a keen ems
of delight, and refused to relinquish
it.
There was certainly nothing in the
weather nor in the surroundings to OPP
/ press me, for the sky was divincly blue,
and the cliffs a lovely and vast mosaic
of tender green foliage and bright cliff
| flowers.
The c~ovetousness of the ladies for cliff
flora was gratiied until Mrs. Powers at
last besought us to cease u irresistible
offerings, lest her fate should be as I'M
timely and tragic as that of the hapless
Helen of ancient history.
. Suppose we reverse the order of
things somewhat said Merriwether, as
we prepared to return. will drive
Helen back in the buggy, and you
younger people can return together. I
am 8 little too corpulent for extended
horseback exercise he added, apollo
| getically.
Annabel Powers gave him a little
grateful glance that went to my heart
with the swiftness of an electric current,
and sent the glad blood tingling through
out my veins. MY conjectures of the
morning were verifying themselves.
AS we rode homeward felt that my
conversation was i little at random, for
my brain was busted with many thoughts,
chiefest among them being that In few
brief hours this lovely girl, now at my
side, would be far from me.
" dislike to think that my pleasant
visit Is SO near an end, " my fair compan-
ion said, as we rode along.
The thought of the near tomorrow
and the rapidly lessening opportunity of
speaking alone with her emboldened me
to utter the words that arose precipit-
oasly to my lips.
Riding close to her, I took her gloved
hand within my own.
Annabel, become my wife and let
me keep you with me always I cried.
She looked up quickly with a startled
look IN her face and drew back from
me.
/. Please say no more she said, hast
lily. /" / had not thought of this, and it
is painful to me to hear you say It.
But you must hear me- | cried,
holly. 4 1T is true that ne have known
each other but brief while, but even ID
this short time you have completely won
my heart. I love you.
.Belieye me, I she said, gently, chad
no wish nor thought to win this declare.
ton from you. If I have in any way en-
couraged It, I most hum5ly beg youi
pardon. Any gentleman who SO loyalty
pleads his cause pays q compliment most
high to the lady he thus honors. I can
only thank you sincerely, and frankly
say, that In the early autumn / am to
marry 9 young lawyer for whom / have
q sincere affection. / am sure that you
are generous enough to wish me much
happiness, z she added, with her beauti
ful eyes shyly lifted to mine.
During the remainder OF the ride the
silence was scarcely broken. The world
Ind suddenly become q very dreary waste
to me.
! bore up manfully until after the de.
parture Of the ladies on the following
morning, and then Bachelor Hall sud.
denly grew obnoxious to my sight.
As soon az Merriwether returned from
the station / asked to be taken to town.
For what2p he growled.
ITO work. I answered, savagelY.
AYou nave had enough of idling Ihen2f
eEntirely too much for my own peace
Of mind. Il has been profitable to you,
at least / added, sharply. 81 viii
send out your hat BY the boy
He looked at me q moment, then burst
out laughing.
Lock here, my fine young fellow,
perhaps It would be better for you To
select one To ft your own pate and have
il charged 70 me. Z
"Whyto your / asked. tsIt was |
that lost my head and heart
He gave & low chuckle.
ssWhenas he asked.
tAs we returned from the cliffs yester
day afternoon.
The hat i yours, : he said, simply.
How SOP
Because she refused mo Oh the way
there
IVhatr'I cried, increduloualy.
THE simple truth
s0ld boy, lot us call IL d drawn bel, Il
I said, fmpnlsively.