The Opelousas courier., 1893-08-12
sand what do they do?"

the Bible" 8
Sidney abruptly changed the sub.
iect. "Where do you 1ive?"
"Right in this house, she answered,
and they turned to walk up o lane
leading to a gate, which opened into
/ the large yard. A black covered wagon
stood by this gate, the heads of the
horses dropping low with fatigue. In
faded letters on the sides of the wagon
was printed the legend "Perrigo's
Dairy" He opened the gate and fol:
| lowed her to q hammock under the
trees. She sat down in the hammock
and took off her hat. The full moon
was shining; it was a perfect night.
"My father sells milk in the city,"
Nancy said. "He don't have to, but
he's done it SO many years, he kind O.
likes it. I wish he'd stop. Ny brother
and his wife run the diary, my moth
er's dead. Wa that your mother at
the church with you this morning?"
The witchery of the moonlight, that
sweet voice talking soft nothings, cast
o spell over Sidney. When it occurred
to him to look at his watch he was
surprised to find it almost eleven
o'clock.
'Do pardon me for keeping you out
so late," he exclaimed, and held his
open watch before her eyes.
81 guess papa's gone to bed. He
don't like to have the boys stay very
late. You must come again; remem-
Der, I want you to join the Christian
Endeavor."
When he reached home and went to
his mothers room he found her lying
on the bed, still dressed. EDO forgive
me, darling. I went home with one of
the girls at the meeting" he said ten
derly.A Mrs. Barker had risen when
she heard his voice, now she threw her
arms around him, kissing him with
lips that quivered with emotion. Sid
ney soothed and petted her, but an
impalpab1e barrier had risen between
them for the first time.
AS the summer days advanced Sid
ney grew more in love with Nancy
Perrigo. He could not tell his mother
about this new feeling. He tried sew
eral times, butsS somehow, he felt that
she could not sympathize as he wanted
her to. He spent a large share of his
time at the Perrigo farm, and Mrs.
Parker grew lonelier each day.
One Sunday night in June Sidney
was carried out of himself by bis emo.
ton. When they were partihg he put
his arms around Nancy and kissed the
pretty red lips rapturously. She did
not repulse him, but a stern voice
broke upon their felicity Scalling:
'sNancyl Nancy Perrigol" 9
They started, and Nancy answered,
''What is it?" They heard heavy foot
falls coming nearer. A harsh voice
'See here, young teller, I see you
kissin' my Nancy. Now you clear out,
and mighty quick, too."
Sidney drew himself up and answered
hotly: II wish to marry your daughter.
] love her, and think she returns my
feeling"
'tMuch you mean by that talk. I've
seen your kind before now. Never
did a stroke of work in your life, you
big lazy dude, messin' round with
paint when you'd orter be in the hay
field. You want to marry Nancy here,
to git q good soft place and live on the
dollars I've earned by hard work, year
in nd year out"
Nancy clutehed her fathers arm. |
"You shsn't be so mean to him. ]
like him better'n anybody in the
world"
Sidney took a step towards her.
'sYou go in the house." the old man
said to Nancy in tones that had to be
Sidney withdrew as grace.
fully al possible under the circum.
but his anger was somewhat
Modified by Naney's confession. He
could feel the softness of her figure
yet, the velvet touch of her fair cheek.
"You won't be mad at what papa
said," Nas,cy pleaded, when he went
10 see her Monday. "He don't mean
Ill he says. He was kind O. out of
sorts and you was the only person he
could find to scold."
No3 Aoe 1ASAJ3 6AouSu no Ii |
,ver spoke to me like that in all my
ife. He means to separate us, darling.
laid awake almost all night, thinking
what was best to do, and if you really
owe me, let us marry at once"
Nancy looked troubled. Sidney
his cause with such eloquence,
their future in such glowing
that she promised to think
lbout it. On Saturday, it was arranged
hat they should go to Washington /
morning and return after the
marriage ceremony was performed.
He went early Sunday evening to
AXE Nancy to the Christian Endeavor
Meeting. Mrs. Barker felt SO lonely
md restless she decided to go to the
Meeting herself and see what made it
attractive to Sidney. The young
were singing as she entered a
loor at one side and sat down on a
,ench overlooking the whole room.
Grs. Barker saw Sidney sitting beside
Nancy Perr1go, looking out of her
inging-book. She now knew why he
ras so contented in Church Falls. Her
thoughts grew SO painful that she left
be room while they were singing.
Once in her own room she walked
he floor in agony of soul, helpless,
lone. The thought of what the beauty
I that girl might tempt her boy to do
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