Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-18

nature. She was a brunette with a rich
color, and her dark eyes were as melting
as those of gazelle.
ssThe girl was not considered intelli-
gent, and her education had been sadly
neglected; but there was in her man.
ners a native refinement which gave her
entrance in the best society. remem-
Der so well her appearance at a party
given in honor of company of recruits
on the eve of their departure for north
ern Louisiana. Ball costumes in those
DAYS were not elaborate affairs, nor had
fashion much voice in our little COM
munity. Estelle wore satin robe some
what antiquated in style, but it fitted
her nicely and brought into strong relief
the freshness Of her beauty.
.Youmay imagine the disastrous effects
of such a combination of loveliness on
the rest of us maidens who had been less
favored by nature That evening Ceclle
received the homage of many hand
some and gallant cavalier. Among the
number was Capt. Lymon, a Texan,
whose regiment had done some service
in the state. The reason of this officers
return to the parish was a matter of con-
lecture. He fingered, however, under a
plausible pretext, spending most OF his
time flirting with the girls
"But after his acquaintance with Cecile
he changed his conduct and devoted
himself exclusively to her. He was a
man of education and apparently of high
standing in life. Cecile was elated and
accepted his attentions with unfeigned
satisfaction. She renounced her life of
frivolity and wrapped herself in mantle
of reserve at the approach of her former
admirers. You must know that some
time previous to this she had either en-
gagged herself or given great encourage
ment to cousin of hers, Creole youth,
also an officer in the army.
''Victor was dark and of small stature,
but he possessed sort of wild beauty
which fascinated most people. There
was CLINT in his black eyes which re-
minded one of the leaping light in Algol.
The boy was madly in love with his
beautiful cousin, and there had been a
time when she had given him every rea-
son to believe that his affection was re-
turned But since her late infatuation
she had grown cold, and would turn
from him her luminous eyes each time
he sought an explanation of the change
which had overtaken her. He was de-
termined not to relinquish his prize with
out struggle; hence there were sew
eral meetings at the paternal home,
where the antagonistic propensities Of
the suitors were exhibited in personal
remarks. Capt. Lymon's assumption of
haughtiness in the presence Of his rival
irritated Victor beyond endurance and
aroused the demon Of jealousy in his
breast.
"One evening, as it often occurred,
Cecile and her two lovers were pacing
slowly up and down the garden walk.
She held in her hand a bunch of violets
which her cousin had gathered for her a
few moments before. Several times she
unconsciously raised it to her red lips,
burying them in the odorous mass.
"'Pray, Miss Cecile,' said the captain,
will you give me those flowers pressed
so warmly to your hps%
"Cecile looked inquiringly into her
cousins face.
"'Je to Defends Victor muttered in
a peremptory tone.
"The girl had been spoiled, and, unac-
customed to be dictated to, that voice Of
authority drove her to a hasty decision.
Without moments hesitation she turn
ed to Capt Lymon and laid the flowers
in his hand. Victor's eyes flashed with
indignation at this unmerited blow to
his manly pride. His cousins cruelty
Glove to his heart as with knife. He
gave her scornful look, turned upon
his heels and departed. A week after
this occurred Capt. Lymon was recalled
to his post of duty. Thus Cecile found
herself suddenly bereft of both her lovers.
"This circumstance was not calculated
to enliven her situation. She now
eschewed the gayeties of life, and relin-
quished further association with her old
acquaintance.
"The country was then full of young
girls, whose exuberance of spirits could
not be checked even by the sad tidings
which reached them from the closing
scenes of war. We had little to do ex-
cept to amuse ourselves, and we resorted
to every possible means Of satisfying our
natural propensities for pleasure. We
took great delight in horseback rides.
There was lack of cavaliers, but we did
not care, and rode out in gay parties,
half dozen in squad as we called it.
Cecile had generally accompanied us in
these jaunts, either along the river or
down Crosse Tete lane to the woods,
where the pungent odors of wild plants
and flowers filled our senses with exhil-
arating delight.