St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-08-26
frs. Hunter could not spare her daugh-

| working hard in the fields and in com
forting the two forlorn women. Hi:
services this time were inestimablc, anc
he took advantage of the scene to bring
things to a climax. TIE wedding day
for the young couple was set.
John and Mandy have decided to get
married in three days" Mrs. Hunter eX-
| planned to her husband that evening
They want to get married in the west
wing, and they've gotto do it before the
city boarders COME
''Well, | don't like it; but I sup,
pose they must. Can't they wait unit
fall"
"No; they are determined to get mar
ricd in three days, and then 60 to the city
on their wedding trip"
Mr.. Hunter made no further comment
but two days later while holding au open
letter in his hand, he said:
"Well, it's lucky they didn't put the
wedding off any longer. I've got board
ers for the west wing coming the very
night of the wedding
"Ob, how fortunate." exclaimed his
wife, examining the letter.
eyes; but we must get the couple off
before noon, SOS we can fix up the rooms
a little before the boarders come"
yes" assented Mrs. Hunter, mod
estly.
The excitement of the approaching
wedding prevented the little woman
from INDUCING in any grief, and if she
rebelled against the coming of city
boarders she kept her own counsel. She
and Mandy performed prodigious
amount of work during the hours of the
day, and willing neighbors offered their
help. The couple were to be married
earl in the morning, and then depart
for the city on the morning train.
The wedding morning was bright
and promising one, and long before the
sun was up there was considerable hustle
around the house. Mandy looked pretty
and happy as she hurried around, to
make hasty preparations for the coming
ceremony. John Starrow soon appeared
and caught the blushing girl in his arms,
to steal his first kiss on his wedding
day. The bridal couple were as hand
some as could be wished, and even John
Hunter complimented them ON their
appearance. He looked at his own worn
and faded wife; but if memory brought
up feelings of regrets he kept them to
himself He was strangely silent aud OBJ
servant, and did not appear as happy and
smiling as the occasion might have war
ranted.
When the ceremony was over, the
breakfast partaken of, good-by kisses
and sobs exchanged, the happy pair were
carried off to the station by their father
He kissed Mandy good-by on the plat
form, and then stood still and watched
the train disappear in the distance. The
parting from his daughter made him
thoughtful and abscnt-minded. When
he reached home he found his wife sweep
ing and wiping the furniture i'll the west
wing, preparing everything for the new
boarders The sight made him fee!
angry with himself, and he wandered
from room to room, and then out into
the orchard. The guests had all de-
parted, and the place seemed strangely
lonesome and deserted. The afternoon
dragged along YEARLY, aud the man was
glad when night approached. 1t was
dark when ne reached the station again
to meet the evening train. He found
his two boarders waiting for him--a
short, wcll-formed lady, deeply yelled,
and a large, well-built man. Owing to
the veil of the lady and the surrounding
darkness, he could not see the features of
either one distinctly.
The journey from the station to, the
house was short one, and Mr.. Hunter
could not find words with which to en-
terrain bis new boarders The events Of
the day had unsettled his happiness, and
he could think of nothing but his lost
daughter and his poor, lonesome wife.
The thought then occurred to him that,
in his negligence. he had not asked how
long Mandy intended to stay in the city.
by the time he had left the boarders at
the front door he was heartily sick Of
the whole days doings. His conscience
prcked him some, but most of the blame
lie attributed to bilious stomach.
Il don't feel WE'LL" he muttercd, as he
walked toward the house, after seeing
that the horses were properly housed.
at must be another attack of bilious
iit1S. Ill ali OuI VI SUI 10. l. IL SCL
Mandy to-
Then he stopped and made an cjacu-
lation when he remembered that she was
no longer with them. He entered the
house, where the supper was already on
the table. Mrs Hunter was looking
pretty in a new dress, with ruffies around
the throat and hands, and two bright
burning spots on her cheeks. She was
Dusily flying around, from one thing to
another, and when her husband entered
she greeted him with smile.
Are you ready for supper, Father"
she asked.
Eyes mol don't feel well" he STAN
mcrcd.
"Well, eat something, and you'll feel
octter," sympathizingly replied his little
wife.
Eyes. but those confounded-that is,
wish we didn't have company. | don't /
eel like entertaining"
"Why, we only have the boarders. l |
sill call them now"
"Well, go ahead" the man replied,
pulling himself together with an effort.
If I've got to entertain them Eve got |
o."
1t was q wan sort of smile which he |
ricd to put on his face as the parlor door
,pencd and the two boarders appeared |
ii the dining room. He stood with his !
ace toward the door, and he surveyed |!
hem silently for moment. But the
mile slowly disappeared, and look Of
puzzled confusion succeeded it,
why. bless me-what's this? Mother,
lows this?"
The sick man turned from John Star !
ow and his new bride to the blushing |
title woman near his side. Mrs Hunter
rod o,1 ,,olo INV t,,r,, |