St. Landry democrat., 1892-11-05

sad Lockwood smiling good-humoredly
at zach other. They were thus en-
ployed when Miss Forrest passed
by On her way to further investiga.
ton of the rocks, and they followed
her 1t was an edifying sight to see
First went Marie jumping from rock to
rock as lightly as a chamois, the water
dashing and boiling around her, for she
soon got well out toward the middle OF
the stream; next came Lockwood, strld.
ing heavily along, his arms outstretched
to balance himself, rather ridiculous and
out of place, and looking anything but
happy Behind him Hamilton skipped
along, pretty gracefully, for he was OF
slender build and light on his feet from
much dancing, but serious as though his
life depended upon each step. Marie soon
paused for an instant between two uneven
rocks. Her position was really dan
gerous one; slip might send her into
the water, and the torrent was running
swift She looked behind her for an in
slant, and laughed to see the two hearty
cavaliers making toward her; then, light
" as gazelle, she bounded on. But
when Lockwood reached the rock which
she had Just vacated, he crouched there
helplessly, holding on to the rugged sur
face with his hands and knees-a ludl-
crous picture of paymaster IN distress.
In an instant Hamilton had leaped past
him, and stood upon the further rock by
Marie's side. There was just room for
the two. Even if Lockwood had been
able to make the leap, he saw that it
could not be done now. With great
straining of muscle, and not without some
splashing, he made his way back to the
rest of the party, and awkwardly at
tempted to laugh the matter off. The
conversation between Hamilton and Marie
on the rock was carried on at disadvan-
tage. because of the laundering roar of
the waters.
''Isn't this glorious?" shrieked Marie.
"What's become of LOCKWOOD Ha!
hap howled Hamilton.
"What?' yelled the lady.
II can't hear word you say" beloved
the man.
But dare say it was satisfaction to
him to be near her. | hope so, at any
rate; for it was the only satisfaction he
received from her that day. For some
caprcious reason or other she chose to
snub him vigorously on the homeward
Journey; and he was forced to attach
himself to a girl who was engaged and
spoke to him very little, merely remark
ing, truthfully enough, that the gentle
movement of the boat on the placid
canal was every restful."
The snubbing administered on this
day was not the first that Hamilton had
experienced from Miss Forrest, but it
was the most keenly felt; and he re-
solved that he would stay away from her
in future, and he actually did not see
her for five whole days, nor had he any
reason for supposing that he would meet
her when he went out to tea on Sunday
night. But she was there more radiant
than ever, and the glance that she shot
across the table at him was charged with
beseeching sadness. Fortunately, the
guests were numerous enough to make
general conversation after supper I'M
necessary.
II have not seen you for long time,
Mr.. Hamilton" said Marie, when he took
his stand beside her.
eyes," he said, gloomily; Give whole
days-an eternity, in fact"
II am sorry / wished to see you. /
have become accustomed to seeing
you" She looked up at him for au in
slant softly.
"Shall we ride together Tomorrow
He was afraid to say anything more. In
the revulsion of his feelings, he wanted
to go down on his knees and grovel be-
fore her--to do anything such was his
alteration of her.
Eyes" she said, in low, caressing
voice, "if you care to 90 with me-
What did he remember of his snubbing
now? He had the ride the next day, and
everything was heavenly; but on the fol-
lowing day, as he was about to walk up
the Forests steps to pay the visit which
he knew was expected of him, he saw
Major Lockwood coming out with such a
smile of happiness upon his countenance
that Hamilton changed his mind and
walked away. Yet it was entirely an
accident. Miss Forrest had calculated
correctly, but, unfortunately, her parlor
clock was fifteen minutes slow, and Lock
wood had, as a consequence, overstayed
his time
When Hamilton saw her at party in
the evening she asked him why he had
not come.
II was afraid you might be fatigued
from the visit that Major Lockwood had
been paying you," he answered shortly.
"Oh, no; Major Lockwood doesn't IA
tigue me- There are others who do, though
with their suspicious She was vexed
because her plans had miscarried.
Henry Hamilton bowed to her and left.
But Marie Forrest rejected Ma jol
Lockwood when he proposed, which he
did the day before she went to New York
on her way to Newport.
Hamilton heard, early last winter, that
the FORESTS would spend the season in
New York, but twas not without pang
that he received the news later that Miss
Forrest was engaged to Maturin Delano.
He did not know Delano, save by repu-
tation, as a man. of large estates and
interesting to Marie as Hamilton had
been, but he was obliging and good
natured, and she liked him very well,
When the list of people in Washington
whom she intended asking to her we'd
ding was made out, Delano, in looking
it over, asked:
"Who is Henry Hamilton, whose
name you have at the head of the list,
Marie?"
81 knew him quite we'll in Washing
ton," she answered. "He is only a Gov
eminent clerk. ~ Independent.
Ammonia In Fire Extinction.