The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-01-14
was an old

"a uozen radlatnlg lines. was an old
man.
Turning, | regarded the stranger. He
sat as ~phlegmatic as an Indian idol. ami
in my fancy | felt the Young blood
draining from my own heart and saw Il
mantling III his cheeks. Minute by min
ute | watched the slow miracle-the old
man beantifed. As buds unfold ne put
ON II lovely youthfulness, and drop bv
drop left me winter.
hurried from the room, and seeking
my Wife laid lhe case before her. This
i . "hou},' | said. that we harhor: he
is smoking my best blood. and the house.
hold is clean Dewitcned." She laid aside
the book i'll which She read and laughe I
III me. Now my wife was well looking.
a.6 Ter eyes Were the light of nay soul.
Consider. then, how | felt as She laugh
ed. -aking the strangers part against
me. When | left her it was with 4 neyg
suspicion III my heart. How shall ii
be-" | thought, IF after stealing my
youh he % on u take the one thing
That is letter
III LILY Lcpitl. nay bN tihN l. BLOOOcl
upon t~his-hatinS my own alteration
and fearing worse. With the stranger
there was no longer any disguise. His
head blossomed in curls: white teeth
filled the hollows of his mouth: the pitt
In his cheeks We're heaped full with roses.
glowing under a transparent skin. 1t
was Eson renewed and t~hankless, and
IL, -,t 90 duo, n1r ~, -, l-,,,
Now having probed my weakness. anG
being satisfied that | no longer dared ii
turn him out. he. who had half imposed
his native tongue upon US, constituting
the household TO a hideous jargon. tbs
bastard growth Of two languages. con
descended to jerk Is back rudely into
III own speech once more, mastering il
with a readiness that proved his former
Discrimination and using it henceforward
as the sole vehicle of his wishes. On his
past life he remained silent, but tool
occasion to confide in me that he pro
posed embracing a military career a.
soon as he should tire Of the shelter OF
my roof.
And | groaned in my chamber. foi
that which feared had come to pass
He was making open love to my wife
And the eyes with which he looked al
her and the lips with which he coaxec
ner had been mine, and | was an oil
man. Judge now between me and thi.
guest.
One morning | went to my wife, fol-
the burden was pas bearing, and | must
n+irf -~--1E -~l
plants on her window ledge. and whe,
she turned | saw that years had moi
taken from her comeliness one lot. AnC
| was old.
So | taxed her on the matter of this
stranger, saying this and that, and how
| had III to believe he loved her.
THAT is beyond doubt" she answered
and smiled.
BY my head. | believe his fancy i
returned" | blurted cut.
And her smile grew radiant as, look.
ing me in the face, she answered. 'By
my soul, husband, it is"
Then | went from her down into III,
garden, where the day grew hot and the
flowers We're beginning to droop. !
stared upon them and could find no so
luton to the problem that worked in nv
heart. And then | glanced up. east
ward, to the sun above the privet hedge
ard saw him coming across the fiowel
beds, treading them down in wanton
ness. He came with a light step and {
smile, and | waited for him, leanin-
heavily on my stick.
Give me your watch,' he called ont
as he drew near.
Why should | give you my watchs"
asked, while something worked in N,
throat.
Because | wish it; because it is gold
because You are too old and won't want
it much longer"
Take it," | cried, pulling the watct
out and thrusting it into his hand
Take it-you who have taken all thai
is better. Strip me, spoil me-
A soft laugh sounded above. and
turned. My wife was looking dozen OIL
us from the window, and her eyes were
both moist and glad.
Pardon me-" she said; lit is you who
are spelling the child. Arthur L. GAIL
ler-Couch in Noughts and Crosses.