The Opelousas courier., 1892-02-13
TIE STOLEN CURL
BY COLONEL tNeRAHAM.

here aud there a public building or pri
vate institution, form the lovely anG
quiet toHn of Pass Christian, noted fol-
its balnfy climate, the beauty of its situa.
ton. its handsome residences. and the
wealth and refinement of its citizens.
To the young ladies' academies and
military institutions of Pass Christian,
many OF the wealthy planters we're wont
to send their daughters and sons to be
ecu ,ated, and as the pupils of the re.
spective institutions would meet, in their
daily promenades, many admiring glances
would be exchanged between them, and
longings felt to become acquainted.
Among the fair pupils of the Lake
Academy none were more beautiful than
Rosa Vertner, the sole heiress to all of
her doting fathers cotton estates, stu.
ated upon the Mississippi River.
A shower of golden curls fell upon her
shoulders; blue, dreamy eyes, a bright,
smiling face and a graceful form, added
to a disposition of the truest womanly
sweetness, made the young girl of fifteen
particularly attractive to all who knew
her.
Many a handsome cadet from the mill
tary academy had fallen 10 love with the
bewitching beauty at the first glance
from her heaven-lit eyes, but to none
did she show a preference, when meet
ing at the soirees and receptions given by
the different schools.
One OF Rosa's greatest, though silent,
admirers was Earl Griffith, the son Of a
Mississippi planter, whose estate lay adj
joining that of Mr.. Vertner; but be-
tween Mr.. Vertner and Colonel Griffith
there existed great bitterness, and for
years the families had not spoken,
though meeting constantly in social in
t~ercourse at the houses OF the neighbour
ing planters.
The feud commenced long years be-
fore, in the old days before the war,
when Mr.. Vertner and Colonel Griffith
were rivals for the hand of Eari's mother.
Colonel Griffith had won her heart and
hand and married her, and his success SO
enraged Mr.. Vertner that he challenged
him, a duel followed, and in this en-
counter Colonel Griffith came off victori.
Gus, severely wounding his adversary.
Since that day neither had spoken to the
other.
Meeting at Pass Christian, thus 1t was
that though Rosa could not but see that
Earl Griffith admired her, and he felt
that she was not indifferent to his gaze.
both were governed by the remembrance
of the feud existing between their par
ents, and gave no signs of the recogni-
tion of the Others feelings.
Toward the close of a lovely summer
day, in the year that this story opens, the
pupils of the Lake Institute had
gone down the long pier leading out into
the lake, to the bath-honse of the insti-
tuition.
Soon a merry party of damseis were
splashing about in tie water. It was a
sight, and a handsome youth of
twenty one, clad III the stylish uniform
Of the Pass Christian Military Academy,
paused and gazed upon the lovely scene.
Suddenly a shrek was heard, and a
dark form was borne away by the
tide, out Of reach Of aid from her com
D~anions.
With the speed of a deer the young
,adet sped down the pier, reached the
path house, and bounded headlong into
he water.
Vigorously did he breast tho waves,
ind soon rapidly overlook the fair girl,
Who was struggling to sustain herself
lbove the waters, for she was a fair
WINNER.
Soon he came nearer, and seeing that
lelp was at hand, her courage forsook
Ter, ano she sank beneath the waters,
While shrieks OF distress from the shore
bowed that her companions believed her
oreEer lost.
With q deep dive, the youth succeeded
n catching hold Of the drowning girl,
nd with renewed strength started shore
Brayely did he struggle, and at last he
cit that he would reach the shore, for
almost to the bath-house, two Of
he professors Of the institute, alarmed
the cries of distress, had run down
Q the scene, and swimming out a few
ards, had relieved the tired youth Of
is precious burden.
Without q word, the young man turned
nee more saaward, and, to the surprise
t all, commenced to swim down the
cast.
In vain did they call to him from the
lorei on he swan, and night coming
ipidiy on, he was no longer visible.
After continuing slowly and with /
rong and steady stroke down the coast.
cadet swan toward a pier, that pro-
,cted some distance into the lake, and
drew himself, greatly fatigued, from
lie water.
Looking around him TO see that he was
watched he walked rapidly up the
and struck off across the fields for
le academy.
Arriving there, be sought his room,
I'd reached it -unperceived, where he
changed his clothing.
Before descending to the study hall I'd
IN his fellow-students, he drew from
e pocket Of his saturated jacket which
had thrown aside, q long golden curl,
mpened By the sea water.
II could not resist the temptation 10
Fer this beautiful curl from its golden
ties; she will miss It, and YET she
Il never know who it was that saved
life /
And carefully drying the tress of hair,
] cadet placed il securely away. !
A great excitement was created iii
Christian BIZ the saving from a {
faFF gxAye oK me heaMklIui Kosa Yerf- Z