The Opelousas courier., 1891-05-23

'S So SAS AA"A SFS AAN
a man at 7:45 P. NJ. under a lamp post
Indeed, after the first few moments
moments that passed %awkwardly enough
for him-he decided that he had been
fool the night before; and that the tow
was evidently full Of Priscillas.
1t was unfortunate that this explana
ton lost its plausibility on his return
while the note seemed photographed OF
his memory. Miss Russell must b
HPris."
The next Thursday evening Clarke die
not appear to entertain the newsboy ane
Grand boys. Poor Priscilla, assaiied OF
all sides, thought she had never seen hel
proteges behave so badly. The air toe
had never seemed so fetid. Her head
ached duly, and it was slowly and me,
chemically that after the boys had been
dismissed, she helped put the room in
order.
She searted ~nervously on hearing
Clarke's voice behind her.
"Let me assist you, Miss Russell. You
have too many books there"
"Mr. Clarkel You herel"
eyes, and should have been before.
My head ached SO that l feared I could
not stand the noise. But / grew better
and here I am"
Inwardly he lashed himself for his de-
ceit.
Priscilla looked at him pityingly. She
passed the palm of her hand slowly over
ner forehead.
81 can sympathize with you; I too
have a headache tonight"
Clarke's heart smote him. How could
he have left her to do his share of the
work.
Greatly" he asked a~nxiously, Il fear
/ q I'M to blame for it. You have had too
much to do for one. / was selfish in not
coming.
She shook her head gently, while her
white lids dropped heavily under his
troubled and remorseful glance.
ut was the air in here, l shall be all
right by the time I reach home"
"May | help you to reach it,"
Certainly"
@ Odb AK SIII lClb SQlklCu DIS SIG gave tu6
permission. Of late, it had been a mat
ter of course that he should walk home
with her. And Clarke, on his way home
was not proud of himself.
~ can't stand this" he muttered, stI
must do something; this sort of thing
can't last. Here / can't stay away from
her three days, and yet whenever I do,
| can think of nothing but that con-
founded note. Perhaps it was a cousin,
though / neve heard of any. Still it
was a vulgar thing to do. What a fool
ami How do / know she did it2 A
girl like that doesn't do such things.
But how did he dare suggest it2 Oh,
hang it ALL"
And William Clarke passed a more
uncomfortable night than he had yet
known.
For the next few weeks, Priscilla was
much puzzled by the young fellows
manner.
Several times she iaed caught him
watching her with an aluost beBildered
air. She was perplexed and also troubled
by the under-current Of thought she felt
in him.
They met one evening at the remark
able Bingham institution, known as the
ttCoffee Party" perhaps because as far
back as man remembers, there has never |
been there a drop Of coffee. AS the two
paused after the waltz, Clarke asked
abruptly:
miss Russell, what would you think
q girl that would meet a man at 7:45
y. NJ, under a lamp-posta"
The girl looked quickly up at him, but
with such genuine perplexity and amuse-
ment, that the young man flushed for
and hastily excused himself.
Toward midnight, as he was moving
her in the slow crush back to the
dressing room, she said, suddenly:
"Oh, MIR. Clarke! Ny sister and her
husband arrive from California to-mor-
'ow. They stay two week. / hope you
meet them. You win like them /
NOW, and we should be glad to have you
81 thank you"
my sister is delightful; / am almost
lily in my admiration for her. But YOU
nay enjoy Rob more
ssRobl"
The girl took the exclamation for a
question.
Eyes; my brother-in-law. Rob and I
great friends. He is very jolly and
and Intellectual as well. want
on to meet him."
81 want to meet him." answered the
DOR fellow with deep emphasis.
A few days later Clarke made the ac-
uaintanee of Miss Russell's brother and
and was much pleased with them,
nd called again the next evening. This
me, however, he asked only for Miss
~riscilla.
She came in, holding out her hand.
a little astonished, but not ILL
leased, at this second call so near the
reTious one.
) down. am glad to see you.nn
mo; | have q confession to make. I
refer to do it standing.
Priscilla had seated herself III d broad.
" arm chain, hel hands lying easily in
y lap A faint flush rose in her cheeks.
she gave no other sign.
Clarke had clasped his hands behind
9 back and was walking ~nervously up
d down. after some moments Of de-
,eration he plunged reckiessly into his