The Opelousas courier., 1892-07-16

F. @ ii WHICH were Quilt On
- elevated ground,
N while Briar Lodge
- nestled in a hollow
But if the two inmates. of this abode
were snow-bound, that fact troubled
them little. They were all in all to each
other, this mother and daughter, whose
kingdom was their home, so they could
afford TO laugh at the vagaries of the
weather.
They were very eompanionable, fol
whether through the influence of Mil
dfed Vicars's healthful flow of spirits, On
the still ~unquenched fire of the mothers
youth. the years had passed lightly over
the older Woman's head. Her figure
still retained its graceful outlines, her
soft skin was unwrinkled, her glossy
black hair scarcely showed silver thread.
A woman, n could see, who had care.
fully husbanded the best years OF het
life, so now at the haryest-time there
were no disappointing tares among the
golden grain. The mother was in the
fullness and perfection of maturity. and
the daughter in hat sweet first glow oil
youth-iair of face and joyous by nature
as a girl of nineteen should be.
Briar Lodge was a fitting bower fol
two such charming ONE It was the
home of Mrs. Vicars's girlhaod, where, as
Madeline Hunt, she had made it the
most attractive place on the hillside.
The Prince came at last, invaded
Briar Lodge and took Madeline captive,
but he died in the flush of happiness,
Little Mildred gave warmth to he
mothers life, urging her to cast off thu
blighting influence of her sorrow: and
Madeline's nature blossomed afresh, all
the better and stronger for its crucial
test. Though many of the old suitors
again surrounded her, the beautiful
lonely woman only twined her affection.
more closely about her little daughter.
After q longer stay than usual, the
snow was beginning to melt, ami one
bright afternoon ALL Ired Wears armed
herself with a light snow shovel, an
sailed forth to aid the sun in his work.
From beneath her iaunty seal-skin cap
her bright face, glowed with the stirring
exercise, ana snatehes OF song rose to her
hps, HoatIng on the clear thin air down
among the frozen holloWs and out upon
the broad stretch Of moorland. Her ewes
were often turned In this direction, until
. certain dark spot on the horizon took
a more definite shape. Then the coIer
deepened in her checks, and she bent to
rer voluntary labor as if her daily bread
depended upon it. Nearer and nearer
came the hurrying figure of . young man,
whose steps were bearing directly down
upon Bfiar Lodge. Reaching the prickIy
hedge ne called softly, ttMildredi Mil.
The gill dropped hershovel and turned
quickly around. meeting a pair of ardent
eyes that caused her " to fall in some
confusion.
II am glad to see you home, Her
bert. When did you arriyea AS she
spoke she came slowly up to the hedge
divided them, and reached over her
title gloved hand in greeting to the new
,omer, who caught and kissed it passion
ltely before he released it.
sDidn't you know | was coming to.
he asked re~proachfully. ii am
'ure yoil expected HE. Mildred. Answer
ne truly. / cannot believe that you
lave forgotten"
aForgottenl oh, nor returned Mil
lFed gu ckly. ~ thpugat-I imagined
-well if you must have it'll did look
or you to-day"
Herbert Overton's face grew radiant.
.Have you no warmer welcome for
May / not come in2n he asked az
er q vain attempt 10 repossess himself
T her hand, across the intervening bar
Ter.
Yes, she ventured slowly, stand-
nd mother says you may stay to tea if
'ou like
There was a tremor in the soft voice;
lIt Mildred shot d roauish look at him
under her long lashes, and the
Dung man waited for no second bid
ing. Another moment aud he was be-
her. grasping both hands, aud try
g to read the pretty downcast face.
What am | to understand by this,
ildred2' be demanded in d low,
ne.
She did not withdraw her hands. but
18th ~ impulsiye movement she nestled
oser to bis side, and answered almost
9 whisper: Whatever you wish, dear
erbert.n
Then they lost sight Of time and place.
q fell 20 planning their future, is only
Ippy lovers can.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wears sat alone will,
{ thoughts, marve-ll as the short af.
moon wore on, ut the intricate weav.
; Of circumstances which had brought
ase young people together. She was
ankfuI that ~ was 50, Tor II partly ef
'ed az act of her " which had o,st
! many a bitter pang Of self-reproaeh.
She had once been engaged 70 Colonel
'eFtoD, Herberts uncle and guardian.
! with the dawn Of her lore for Ashler
she felt that she could BIO longer
W hel promise. Ee released hes-
] Oil ne could do--for her happiness
s bis frst thought. But from thar
7 Be neYer sst foot ID Briar Lodge.