St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-06-11

and gloom, and the white stones
marking all that was left Of many
generations once young and gay, like
myself, seemed in consonance with
my mood. Iclimbed the hill, entered
the churcyard, and picked my way
among the graves, until l reached the
spot in which all the dead and gone
Laurences for more than q century
had been buried.
A tall marble shaft marked my hus-
bands last resting place, and, as l
stood by it, sudden sense OF the I'M
satisfactorines Of life came over me.
Was there never to be any OF that
fullness Of Joy which [ had dreamed,
but only the calm resignation that
my Cousin Rachel assured me was
the best thing in the world ? with
the restlessness of youth, rebelled,
and two hot tears fell on my hus-
bands grave-tears of selfish repln-
ing far more than Of real grief.
CHANGING up at this moment L saw a
man approaching. I had been stand
ing in the shadow of yew tree, and
he evidently had not noticed lne I'M
til that moment, for he started per-
ceptibly as our eyes met. starred,
too, for the stranger was no other
than the person to whom Jupiter had
showed such friendly recognition.
There was moments pause OF en-
barrassment, then the gentleman lift
ed his hat and apologized for his ap-
pearance.
q beg your pardon, madam" he
said. had no intention Of intrud-
ing, but did not see that any one
was here until this instant"
" No apologies are necessary" l
answered hastily. I did not mean
to remain here, at any rate. And
before he could say an ything to pre-
vent me I bowed and walked rapidly
away
ASH went ( heard him uttering
more apologies and disclaimers at my
goinga way, but I paid no need. l
could not help wondering who he
was, though, and had curiosity
enough to look back when reached
the foot of the hill. He was stand
ing exactly where / had left him,
holding his hat in his hand, as il he
had barred his head in reverence.
Was it possible-the idea had flashed
into my head for the first time
could he be my husbands cousin ?
| T hurried home, hoping Rachel
might already have reached there,
but she had not, though she appeared
soon afterward. In some excite
ment, I told her about my second
meeting with Jupiter's friend, and
my conjecture as to his identy. She
did not seem so much interested as /
thought she ought to be, but busled
herself hunting for book while she
listened to me.
Every likely you may be right"
she said, when expressed my opinion
that it must be Wayne Goodwin.
IT should like to know my hus-
bands COUSIN" I remarked, though
Mr.. Laurence never said much about
him."
But he may not want to make
your acquaintance; he may regard
you as an enemy-an interlOper,'
Nonsense!' said; but [ CON
Guided to let Mr.. Goodwin make the
first overtures.
Some days later business called me
to Philadelphia, and while there l
took it into my head to remain some
time. I wrote to Rachel of my inten-
ton, begging her not to let the fact
of my absence be generally known.
I began to fear that my husbands
cousin was staying in the neighbor
hood to spy on my actions. Rachel
promised to do the best she could, so
I finished my visit and returned to
Greystone with some friends.
80. My cousin took this opportunity to
80 away, knowing that | would not
be lonely in her absence; and, though
I missed her, [ was glad she was going
to have a change. Hardly had she
gone when I received call. 1t was
from Wayne Goodwin. l went down
to see him, and, sure enough, he was
the stranger whom I had met in my
walks. He rose when I entered, and
held out his hand.
MAY | claim relationship he
said, cordially. II ventured to call
on that ground, though | had never
met you in the regular way, and you
had not expressed any desire to see
me-"
"Oh, yes, I had" answered laugh
ing, for all my suspicious had vanish
ed at his tone; and then | told him
Of my previously spoken wish.
That broke the ice at once, and we
became very good friends before his
call ended. He came again in a day
of two, and we We're soon on excellent
terms. My house party broke up,
but Mr.. Goodwin still remained in the
village. We laughed a good deal
over the peculiar terms of my hus-
bands will, though he was kind
enough to express some disapproval
thereat. He Indignantly disclaimed
any intention Of protiting by its pro-
visions.
But you couldn't help it," said.
cit depends on me-"
Yes, it depends on you," he an
swered thoughtfully.
I told him about my absent cousin,
and praised her good qualities until
he declared laughingly that I was
insane on the subject. He never had
much to say on those occasions, but
that was natural, for he did not know
my relative, and therefore could not
be aware of her PROJECTIONS.
At last I received letter from
Rachel setting day for her depart
ure, and telling me the train on which
she would return, SO that [ might
drive to the station for her: [ did
not mention to Mr.. Goodwin that she
was coming; I thought it would be
pleasant to have them meet uneX-
| pectedly-I don't know why, except
that was young and foolish enough
| to like surprises. Tie coachman
drove me over at the right time, but
my cousin did not arrive. There
would be another train along in a
little while, though not an express, so
I let the carriage wait for it, while
I walked home the day was raw and
windy, and the waiting. room not
very comfortable, so preferred this
to remaining. On the way met Mr..
Goodwin, and we sauntered leisurely
on, talking Of all sorts of things ex-
cept Rachel Armstrong; return; I
merely explained that I had been to