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


upon me. He declared that a woman's
me So that for the sake of peace | agreed
to take week to think over the matter
and at the end of that time to write and
give him my final answer. The week
will be up tomorrow, so [ must come to a
speedy decision told him at the time
that thinking it over would not make
any difference, that my reply must
always be the same; but now-l don
know-perhaps he was right have
thought and rethought until | am half
distracted, and don't know in the least
what to say to him, after all. There,
now-I have told you the whole story,
Susan, and | want you to help me-"
at is hard for me to advise you, Pop
pie" | say slowly, after we have sat for
some time in silence. "You see, have
never seen this Mr.. Harris, and never
even heard of him until this afternoon.
| What kind of man is he?"
II don't think he is anything out of
the common, one way or the other, my
sister answers rehectively. ale is good
natured and generous after a fashion; he
has an exalted opinion Of his own merits
and his money; and-yes, decidedly
there is touch Of vulgarity about him.
But he is fond of you?" | asked
quickly.
Poppie smiles slightly.
"Well, yes, think So" she replies;
at any rate, he no doubt considers that
should suit his purpose very we'll. He
wants some one to wear his diamonds for
him, drive In his carriages and fill his
great houses with smart people-in fact,
to help to show off his wealth; and all
that could do very we'll"
at would be very nice to be rich,
though" murmur half to myself.
ayes, l know that; but is money
everything?" says Poppie.
"Of course you could not be expected
to love him." begin hesitatingly.
"Of course not What an ideal"
"But so many people marry for money
nowadays; and you don't" pause for
few seconds, and then continue ner-
vously-"you don't love any one else, I
suppose, Poppie?'
Il suppose not" she returns
care yo1 sure?" Task inwardly quak-
ing as to the result of my boldness. "Be-
cause
Because WHAT" she says a little
sharply.
Because 1 once fancied- Imay have
been wrong, and you must not be vexed
with me if | was-but | did fancy there
was something between you and Jack
Neville" blurted out desperately.
Poppie hushes scarlet and frowns;
then she asks quietly
"What made you think so?"
ooh, | don't know-lots of things."
| reply. you have been great deal
together all your lives, and But [
suppose | was wrong; there was moth
ing
Nothing whatever-you are quite
my glance and moves restlessly in her
chair
II am sorry say stupidity, II should
have liked Jack for my brother n-law,
and -
] come to sudden stop, for Poppie
has risen quickly from her seat and
stands before me with angry eyes and
flushed cheeks. The next minute. how
ever, she presses her quivering lips to-
gether and turns away.
"You have wandered from the point
as usual, Susan she says coldly. eve
were discussing Mr. Harris, not Jack
Neville, and we do not seem to be get
ting any nearer to decision
Suppose you write q letter and see
what it looks like!' suggest
She walks over to the little writing
table by the window and, sitting down
before it, opens the blotter and dips
pen into the ink.
(Which ought to put, Susan, Dear
she asks, doubtfully.
THAT will depend, | think, on what
you are going to say" reply. TRY -,
Dear first
"What comes next, supposing this to
be refusal, you know"
Much as appreciate the honor YOU
have done me, | prompt gIibly, 81
regret that must adhere to my former
decision.
ut sounds just like a Polite Letter
Writer, objects Poppie; but suppose
Unjust put something like that" and she
writes it down. cit looks perfectly hor-
rid, Susan!' she goes ON plaintiveIy. |
ooh, why did [ ever say that | would |
write? | had no idea it would be SO diff |
ficult. If one could put just plain Yes
or No and sign ones name to it, how |
much easier it would be-"
TRY something else then; see what
it would look like if you said Yes"
She takes q fresh sheet of paper
Il suppose it must be My Dear this
time she says, signing. Well, Susan,
I've committed myself so far; but it
seems more hopelessly hard than the re-
fusal. How in the world am [ to word
it,"
WhileI rack my brains for suitable
Poppie gazes disconsolately
out Of the window. Suddenly the pen
falls from her fingers and she pushes |
back her chair with a suppressed ex-
clamation as some one on brown cob |
rides swiftly past the window.
"Who was it?'' | asked eagerly, get
ting up.
at was Jack" replies Poppie slowly.
She has risen to her feet and stands with |
her hand on the back of the chair.
GLOW nice of him to come over and !
see US! | don't believe he has been here
since before you went to the Nugcnts,"
| say delightfully."-, as | throw another log
upon the fire in anticipation of our
visitor. But when l turned again toward
my sister l perceive that she has hurried
to the door and is in the act of turning
the handle. "Poppie," | cry, flying
across the room to her side, "where are
you going?'
Il have headache-I- Oh, Susan,
let me go! You can tell Jack | was
sorry not to see him anything you like;
but She pulls her arm from my de-
nincr crrasn and ono,a Tho door e.. |