The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-01-06
THE WEST PASTURE.
How tbe Trouble It Caused Was
Finally Settled.

~AA>sS1S s)oS~AS>~s
The autumn day was closing in u
glory of purple aud gold; the last rays
Of tho setting sun entered the window
of the farmhouse, and, slanting across
the row of shining, milk pans, formed
Il h;ilo of gold around tho head of tho
farmers daughter, &c Gle Grey, as she
stood with the full milk pail poised in
her hands, and tn ought seriously, n
1oerplexel puclScr between her str:.il.h t
brcsws.
Pretty she was not. but her fair,
calm face, looking placidly ont from
beneath her crown of really beautiful
hair, the envy of all the village girls,
was very attractive
The farm lnborcrs were coming from
supper, the day was dying as tho sun
sank reluctantly behind the trees, and
still Cecllc stood there silently, buried
in reverie, and un mindful Of what was
going on about her
b "A penny for your thoughts, Cccy,'
spoke out manly voice.
And Jack Newton appeared at the
outer door.
Cccy. turning, came out of her brown
study.
81 was thinking Of the picnic to-
morrow. Jack. No one has asked me
to go, and I won6lcrc if l must stay at
homo utter all That momentous qucs-
ton SO occupied my thoughts that
A1AlO AclEolCSI my evening OuC1cS
~ Twill you go with me, Cecilc? 1t is
on mothers account that l have not
asked you before. Eut as was stroll
ing past, half Inclined to give it NIL up,
i saw you. and that settled my doubts
as to what to do"
There was n tender light in tho young
mans eyes as he spoke, and the pretty
pink color flushed into Cecilc's cheek.
''Of course will go, Jack. Why al
low her dislike to spoil pleasure?
She will forgive inc some day"
so it is settled? You will come with
1ncs''
Yes. Jack
Well pleased. tho young man went
on his way.
Tho cause of Mrs Ncwton's dislike to
Ccc.Ic was n trivial one.
When she was 4 little girl Cecllc's
father had given her the decd of q
picturesque bit of land, called the west
pasture, which lay between the New
ton farm and that of Mr.. Grey.
Two years before our story opens
Mrs. Newton had made Cccilc an offer
for the land. 1t would complete her
cast pasture, she said, and fill in tho
!. corner, thus making her acres form al
most square.
She had set her heart on having the
pasture, but 'Cccilc loved the place, and
would not sell it. Mrs. Newton tried
by coaxing and liberal offers to gain
her point. but the girl was determined
AT last, flying into passion, the elder
lady rated the younger soundly for IN
conceited mink, who thought herself
too good for her place, and who would
never get her Jack, for whom she had
SCI her cap
And, having thus relieved her mind,
she went home.
For two years she had not entered
the Grey farmhouse unless she knew
the only daughter was absent. Good,
1notherly Mrs Grey overlooked the
feud, welcomed Jack cordially when
ever he called, paid little neigh borly
visits to Mrs. Newton, and in every way
tried to mend the breach which Jacks
mother kept fresh by daily repinings.
Cecile, when Jack had gone, went
about her duties with n light step and
lighter heart. When, at last, every
thing was done, she sought her pretty
room, watch was tastefully adorned by
her own hands. and, sitting by the VIM
dow, looked out over the hills and won
dered if the morrow would bring the
fair weather the night promised.
Meanwhile Mrs. Newton, her face
red with an ger, stood listening to Jack,
who, with his bedroom lamp in his
hand, had turned as he reached the
door, and said: II must be up carly in
the morning, mother, for an going to
the picnic. Cecile has promised to ac-
company me. I intend to ask her to be
my wife," he went on, in some con-
fusion. 'She will make you good
daughter. mother; you know you have
always lohged for one"
but not such a one as you want to
give me" exclaimed Mrs Newton. mo,
Jack; will never welcome her to this
house! If it had been anyone else
but Cecile Grey. never!'
Mother said Jack, firmly, ''why
cannot you overcome this foolish prcju-
dice? shall marry Cecile if she will
have me: better accept the inevita ble.''
And he left the room.
Mrs. iiewtcn was taken by sur
prise. After awhile she cooled down a
little.
t'After all" sic thought, ''if he does
marry her that Nest pasture will como
tocus. But I wi never give in, not
even for that. Jack shall lose the farm
It he marries Cccilc Grey"
That night. Ceciie, in her pretty
white led. dreamed of Jack. At first
her dreams were peaceful, but as the
night wore on they --.~-arne disturbed,
and at last she awolSe with the strange
feeling that her lover was in danger.
Mechanically she arose. and having