St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-02-27

'NNhat an enigmatcal remarkr' he
exclaims, laughing "What does il
mean? You might have if-what?'
81 am not sure if | may tell YOU
answer, casting doubtful look at Poppie
"Oh, then it concerns Poppie, does it
this mysterious piece Of news?' and he
J glanccs at her too.
MAY | tell" ask persuasiveIy.
"CcrtainIy, if you wish to do So re-
turns my sister.
"WeII, then, Jack, Poppie has had q
cant make up her mind whether to ac'
cept him or not. Isn't it odd:'
Isn't what odd:'
THAT she is not able to decide what to
say to him. OF course it would not be a
love match; but then she would have
oh, everything she could possibly want
and, if that would not satisfy her and
make her happy forever after, US the
story book says, what would"
"What, indeed" says Jack slowly and
thoughtfully. LAS you say, Susan, it is
very odd"
| have known Jack Neville from my
childhood; still | do not quite understand
him. He has an uncomfortable way of
seeming to agree with one, yet there is
an Undesirable something in his very
quietness of face and manner which
arouses suspicion that he is laughing
at one all the time. Jack, | am really
in earnest say, L little reproachfully.
lie turns to me quickly.
$50 am [, Susan"
And as | look searchingly at him can
not detect the faintest glimmer Of laugh
on his grave handsome face or in his
steady eyes.
"Well, then, wish you would hel p me
to decide for Poppie. Of course | only
want to do what will be for her happi-
ness
"Of course" he interposes grayely;
"but what way do Poppie's own inclina-
tions lie?'
At this Poppie rises from her chair
and, coming over to the tea table, puts
down her empty cup and turns to Jack.
81 assure YOU | have no inclination
one way or the other, she says hurriedly,
with faint. nervous little laugh; Il
stand on perfectly neutral ground; it is
matter of absolute Indifference to me. y
THAT being the case, would it not be
the fairest and simplest way to draw
lots?' Jack quietly suggests.
"Of course it would! How stupid not
to have thought of that before | cry,
rising quickly and running over to the
writing table. Il will just write Yes
on one piece of paper and NO on an
other, and then fold them in exactly the
same way"
When return with the neatly folded
slips of paper in my hand | notice with
some surprise that my sister is flushed
and that her eyes CLEAN excitedIy, which
seems strange i'll person who hardly
five minutes ago declared herself per-
fectly Indifferent as to the upshot of the
affair
"Now, then, Poppie, will you draw?'
[ say briskly. Il myself do not really
know which is which,
Quickly drawing back her dark head
Poppie steps forward. jack is standing
at little distance behind her, intentIy
watching Us she stretches out her hand
toward the paper that is to decide her
fate. She hesitates for a moment, touch
ing the slips irresolutely, then her fingers
close firmly upon one.
Il will take this she says, little ex-
citedly.
Very Well. Now be quick and open
it for do not know which it ISL | cry
eagerly.
As she stands before me without NOV
ing all the pretty color faIes out of her
face
II am afraid to look,' she says, in
tone that is only little louder than
whisper; then she turns round suddenly
to Jack "WiIl YOU read it for me?' she
says, putting the paper hurriedly into
his hand and drawing IL deep breath.
Slowly-oh, so slowly Jack unfolds
the little slip and reads the one word
written on it, Poppie is trembling all
over, and her eyes are fixed on his face,
which wears curious expression, such
as never saw there before,
There is short silence, and then Jack
looks up, his eyes meet Poppie's eager
ones and he laughs little.
The Fates have proved themselves
kind for once, at any rate he says. Il
must congratulate you, PoPpie,' p
"You moan-what??' she says, and
then stops, unable to say more
"You have drawn 'Yes,'' says Jack,
slowly.
ooh, how" [ begin ecscatically, but
got no further. What on earth has hap
pencd to Poppie and Jack? She has
started forward with a sudden cry, and
they are now staring at each other in the
most extraordinary way, while his face
has become almost as pale as hers.
She snatches the paper he is holding
out to her, tears it furiously across and
across, and then, throwing away the
pieces, bursts into tears.
"Poppie, Poppic," | cry, dismayed at
this most unexpected turn of affairs,
'wby, how can you be such a baby? Of
course you needn't
But here Jack gently puts me aside
and, coming close up to my sobbing sis
ter, calmly takes one of her hands in his
own.
"Poppie," he says kindly, "do not dis
tress yourself, do not cry so. Did you
think for moment that | would let you
marry that man? And you actually
dared to say it was q matter of indiffer
ence to you when you knew that loved
you, and when [ knew Oh, Poppie,
my darling, did you think | did not
know
He is not satisfied now with holding
her hand; he puts his arm around her
and draws her pretty head down upon
his shoulder.
At this iuncture it dawns upon me
that my presence is most unnecessary,
so | steal away softly, leaving them
alone. And | am very certain that poor
Mr.. Harris will have to look out for an
other suitable person to wear his dia-
monds now.