St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-12-09

w hat his success was may reaully
be surmised from the fact that when,
in response to Mrs. Pearson's invita-
ton, he arrived later il the evening OF
the same day to dine with the family
the good lady met him at the ball and
whispered that Dollie was alone in the
drawing room.
George entered the room with g.
quickly beating heart, and what passed
there is best known to Dollie and him
self, but it is significant fact that
when, half an hour later, the young
couple emerged in response to the
summons of the dinner gong DollieAs
checks were in hue like the deep
heart of crimson rose and there was
an extremely long silken hair clinglng
to Georges manly waistcoat.
just prior to the announcement Of
dinner Leopold Leverton had arrived.
in condition of pardonable anxiety
as to the result of his stratagem.
1t was doubtless very considerate OF
Mrs Pearson to keep him engaged in
conversation with herself in order
that the privacy of the more fortunate
gentleman who had come to WOO might
be uninvaded, but he was extremely
'perplexed and chsgrined that Mrs
Pearson made no reference to the SUI
}pcrb turkey.
"You will stay and take dinner with,
us, Mr.. Leverton?" she said, still
without mentioning his gift. 1t was
passing strange.
"Thank you," he responded muA
singly.
Then terrible fear took possession
of his heart Had the dealer forgotten,
or committed to send the bird? He.
could bear the suspense no longer.
"I-ah- did-you-ah-receive-
turkey this afternoon. Mrs. Pear
SOM" he stammered.
eyes, inded, and fine one it ls-
All, there Is the gong. Come, Mr..
Leverton.
At that moment Speedman entered
the dining room with Dollie leaning
upon his arm.
"NIrs. Pearson-Mr. Pearson-con-
gratulate me. Dollie has promised to
be my wife.
It was George who spoke, with
sparkling eyes and triumphant tone.
Leopold could scarce believe his ears.
"What?" he cried, while Dollie
hung her head and blushed bewitch-
ingly.
eyes. May Z congratulate you on
having resumed your engagement with
Miss Gray?' answered George, seat
ing himself beside Dollie
"Wha-vhat do you mean?" stam-
mered Poly, hopelessly bewildered.
ooh, nothing. Only thought as
Won were sending them turkey you
must have
Tt was now Georges turn to look
surprised.
Il don't understand. There's some
mistake. I ordered one to be sent
here, hoping Mrs. Pearson would ac-
cept-"
''The one 7 saw was addressed to
II, interrupted George, thinking he
began to see light.
yes This is II, [ noticed the
number on the garden gate as passed
this morning."
"No," chimcd in Mr. Pearson.
"This is III. noticed the other day
that the first figure was almost washed
out We must have it repainted"
"Then my turkey has gone wrong"
exclaimed Leopold. II must see
about it."
He WAS, as has been previously re-
marked, animpetuous young man, and
before the others could recover from
their surprise he was hurrying down
the road.
"Who lives at 71?" asked Mr.. Pear
son after short interval of silence.
1.-THE Grays," answered George
promptly. "Moved in last week.
Had Levertou stayed one moment
to reflect on Speedman's words it i.
probable that he would have sacrificed
dozen turkeys rather than risk meet.
ing the wrathful pater of his discarded
lady love, but SO bewildered was he
that the possibility of such contre,
temps never entered his mind.
The advent of the Hateful fowl, with
Leverton's note attached in the Gray
household had caused almost as much
bewilderment in that homestead dur
ing the afternoon as Leopold was him
self experiencing at that moment.
Mrs. Gray unpinned the scrap Of
paper and read it.
"Why, Laura, Laura!'' she called
running up to the room where her
daughter was dressing for a walk.