The Opelousas courier., 1891-10-24

II OFEA Lac W0AAtcf ACSfALA4AS pICS91O
of his large brown eyes, thinking how
smile would brighten his face, wonderin!
if all men who had travelled were as fas
cinating in conversation as this one
signing, too, sometimes, as shes though
OF the pleasant summer that was drawn
to a close, and that the time was fas
approaching when she must dismiss Ie
cavalier from her side forever. For-an
her cheeks burned then-it was to be
money that this winsome court was paid
and the smiles, the Difference, the atten
tons to her were all for the saSp Of
handling her grandfather's legacy.
And while Annie sighed and unused,
the wooer was blessing the lucky hour
that brought him to that hotel for the
season. Never in all his travels had he
MET with a face, a voice, or q manner
that had touched his heart as it was now
touched. He had forgotten his foolish
| speech made about the heirass, and he
had given his heart to the woman. He
saw her busy with feminine work in the
morning, and his fancy pictured her do.
ing Embroidery in a home. He heard her
rich contralto voice in song, aud he
thought of her as making the evenings
fly when a husband came home to din
ner. He saw her in elaborate evening
dress at the table d. hote, and he thought
how proud a man might be of her beau
ty and taste, when the voice of society
praised his wife. And all under these
surface attractions, weighty as they were,
he paid homage to the girls dignity,
modesty and pure heart.
The day came when his full heart
found vent in speech, as the young
couple walked in a shady lane, Leonard
poured forth his hearts great love in
words war; and tender. It was some
moments before the ans wer came, for
Annie had to battle with her desire to
put her little white hand in his and give
him back love for love. But the answer
game cold and naughty.
esMr. Franklin, my answer to you must
be to recall to your memory your CONVEX
sation with Mr. Wyckhan on the ter
race, the evening of your arrival, every
word Of which was distinctly au lible in
my room.
"Then you have been playing with
me2" he cried f~ercely.
81 have been trying to prove to you
that my money had a human append
age"
II was well for her composure then
that he turned abruptly from her and
strobe rapidly back to the hotel. She
watched him disappear from sight, and
then turned into a narrow hy-path and
sobbed out her pain in solitude. For
she now comprehended that whatever
Leonard Franklin had sought in his WOO
ing, he had won her heart. She felt
lonely and heart-sick when she realized
all she had lost. Never again could she
hear the deep, musical voice speak ten.
words; never see the dark expressive
eyes look lovingly INTO her own again;
never again feel the clasp of his strong
hand; and never again see his bright,
winning smile.
As the tears chased one another down
cheeks, one Of the unerring instincts
OF true love came back to her heart, and
she felt deeply and keenly that the love
had insulted and and rejected was
the false suit of a fo~rtune-huuter, but
q true heart seeking what is the only
guarantee for welded happiness.
She at last wendell her way back to
the hotel, hiding her red swollen eyes
under hereseil and went to her room,
hearing the voices Of all at luncheon as
went hastily upstairs. Upon her
dressing-table there lay an open letter,
and as she read it there stole through
her brain a quick, luminous idea. Over
sad face stole. a look of resolution,
md q certain hope, too, in her heart was
in her face.
s'1'll try it, she said. ssMy eyes are
n splendid condition for the purpose.
I'll try It."
She took her open letter in her hand,
md went mournfulIy into the room where
luncheon YVES in progress of demolition,
Her eyes were not 81 red nor 50 sgollen
out that they detected Leonard Franklin
with untasted food upon his plate
md trying to look as usual. As she ap.
Bessie cried out.
.Annie, what IS the mattera You
ook as il you had been crying your eyes
mt
eYou would look SO, too, if you had
ny news to bear, : was the answer with
little sob.
What is il, dearan and Bessie was at
Ter cousins side, all sympathy.
1.-THE Northern Express Bank has
by jove." said Frank, tsalI your
money was Ii thatl'
Annie hid her face on Bessie's shout
Ter and sobbel.
aUncle George was married last Weekln
Franks comment on that was con-
aimed il a long whistle.
frank, you ought to be ashamed of
'ourselil" SAID Bessie Indignantly.
Never mind, Annie. Come to my room,
|arling 2
And Annie allowed herself to be led
way 10 her cousins room TO be petted
nd comforsed and sympathized with,
nd to listen to the Warmest assurances
/ unchanged love, offers Of a home, and
thousand pleasant words from Bessie,
ii Frank came up and confirmed the
of II, and added:
Leonard Franklin desires al inter
with you, Annie, In the private
arlor- And Annie, before you go, will
on let me say q word to gou,a as If
ere Tour brothers''
aCertainly l will. Z
Leonard Franklin loves you, / am
ire Of IL; and / think lie means to tell
gu Of il. But Annie, If you do not
love him, will YOU remember that