St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
ALL ABOUT OUR FOLKS.
BY LILLE BINkLEY, ATCHISON KANSAS.
CHAPTER III.

1t was the sweet girl whom had thought
so beautiful, and whose name was Roseline
Baily. She did not ask my grief, but
I taking my nervous brown hand, led me
away up flight of quaint old stairs to a
little dressing room, such as had never
/ seen before, and left me there to arrange
my toilet for dinner, which l could not do,
for every thought or sound touched The
chords of my highly strung nervous being
and caused it to vibrate in flood of tears.
She returned presently to find me still
weeping like smaller child than | was.
p With her sensitive eye she saw it was
no time for words.
Taking a pair of neat, low shoes from
1 the closet, she proceeded to dress my
4 brown feet. First here and then there,
even my brown curls she retouched, till
when looked in the glass all knew of
Monte King was her tearswollen eyes. |
knew them because had seen them before.
She led me over to the broad, deep win
dow and pushed the curtains aside. The
beautiful landscape that met my sight as |
gazed down the open slope is a sight
! shall never forget.
Not leaf seemed struggling to move.
The green grass reposed in it's own rich =
ness, and the broad river stretched itself
between the trees and the opposite bluffs.
In that moment my heart sickness
seemed to pass away and love for my
, new friend filed my soul to overt1owing.
| threw my arms about her neck and kissed
her. Twas glad then and happy, and by time
for dinner | was so much at ease that | did
mot think of my ignorance, and if | was
awkward or embarrassed, | have never
known it.
| had forgotten how or why | ever came
here, and started little when my COM
oanion of the morning said in his business
! ike way. "You are now wanted for your
rial" Weak and trembling, l followed
him into the room, all the time leaning
heavily on Roses arm; for my old weak
ness seemed to be returning.
But when we were all comfortably seated
in the small back parlor, saw nothing to
brighten me and became composed again.
My friend of the morning broke the
silence.
"There is a time for all things he said.
Sometimes that time is long in coming
and sometimes it is short, but when it
comes"
There he stopped and toyed with his
chain and gazed steadily at the floor.
But which it COMES" he continued,
"none can shrink It's call" Then coming
over to me. ''You are my daughter. Now
listen and l will tell you all. Seventeen
years ago was married to Percilla Core, a
girl of poor and not very respectable fami-
~. was then poor man, with poor
prospects for the future. | had not lived
with my companion long, before l found
her to be confirmed drunkard."
81 begged of her, implored her, first
for the sake of God, then for my sake, for
IL @@ And
when at last forbade her to use it, came
to my home one night to find my wife and
unnamed baby gone Oh my daughter
can you love me and stay with me for the
sake of my name, till we learn to love one
another as l used to hope we wouldt'
NY heart was too full for words, buried
my head in my fathers long white beard,
and chung to him till fell asleep. Sleep
has always been the one great comfort of
my life. After peaceful nap, | awoke
on nv fathers breast AS he kissed my
tearstained cheeks, I think I loved him
more than / shall ever love anyone again,
not even Rose, whom have always loved
as a sister, but who is only a cousin.
have heard that mothers love their chill
dren more dearly than fathers; but
!. know that aunt Caroline Baily did not love
her fatherless daughter Rose, more than
father loved me- Aunt Caroline's husband
died soon after my mother disappeared and
she came, Immediately, to live with my
father. Aunt Caroline always treated me
as her own daughter, and in her found 8
GOOD substitute for mother.
1t was all very strange to me, but no"
that can look back, really wonder at the
rapidity with which | became acquainted
with my new life. Every thing was sc
pleasant in my new home that did moi
think of Long Branch for several days; anc
when did it was only with fear thai
they would find me out and carry me back
to Grannie wonder how | forgot The
place so easily. But suppose it was be
cause was so happy, have always beer
afraid to be too happy, lest l should be
come selfish.
/ have lived at White Hall some three
months, during which time every thing
had been very quiet. They had probably
kept it that way that might have time tt
grow and realize the change.
1t was a pleasant Sunday evening il
early October, they were preparing TO
church, when quick loud ring of tn
door bell, started the family and took ou
faithful old servant, Jane, to the door in
rush.