Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1895-10-04
rie.ies of Adiantum and Asplenium 20

IOoc CofpCkc0 tnO scANob bEaoo Will
showers of soft pink petals at every
passing breath of air, and where
Charley Everett was busted in whit
thing out stakes for carnationsl
"Oh, Charley, Charleyi ! am 80
miserablei"
'Lirzy, what is the matter?"
He dropped knife, aud ali. In dis
may OF her woeful countensnce, and
Lizzy told him 10 the best of her abil-
ity what ''the. matter" wasl
els that all, me asked quietly, when
the recital was concluded.
"Isn't that enough" she rejoined,
piteously. "When we were going to
have such q nice drive ali by our
selves, and come home by moonlight,
and"
Don't fret, cara mia. it will be all
right. So she won't consent to our
marriage, sh?"
''She says most positively that she
will not.
"What shall We do, Lizzya Shall
we elope quietly?"
I'm, Cnariey, you know i would
never marry without her consentr"
"And are two lives to he made mis-.
cradle just because she thinks matri-
mony q mistaken he asked grsvely.
81 suppose SO, Charleyt''
Lizzy Dewsford's pretty head
dropped like . rose in the rain.
Charley watched her quiyerine lip and
tear-wet eyelsshes, aud said no more !
Mrs. Dewsford was ready, with q
preposterous drsb umbrella to keep of
the sun, tin case to put ferns in, and
an extra pair OF boots, in the event OF
swampy walking, when Mr.. Everett's
little light wagon drove up to the door.
The springs creaked ominously as she
stepped In, and I.izzy, meekly follow
ing, was nearly overwhelmed by her
mothers voluminous dfaperies.
81 had better sit in the middle-it
preserves the equilibrium of the We
hicle better" said Mrs. Dewsford,
wedging herself in between Lizzy and
Mr.. Everett with smile of great COM
placency.
/ Aud she Immediately began dis
coursing on the properties and habits
of the fern, with unpausing volubility,
while Lizzie, perched on the extreme
outer edge of the seat, had all she
could do to keep in the wagon, and
Mr.. Eyerett's eyes were in extreme
danger with the points of the drab
umbrella which veered to and fro
like ship in storm, ss Mrs. Dews-
ford's tale waxed in interest
Suddenly she checked herself, as
her eye caught cluster Of green wav-
ing vegetation on the crest like point
of rock which overhnng the road.
''Charlesl Charles" she cried,
''stop a minute Can't you reach
that Asplenium Ebenum?"
els this it. ma'am ~ said Mr.. Ey-
erett, making dive at a tall MULLEN
stalk.
"No, no; not that-the little green
thing with the black stemi"
''rhis, ma'am?" hazerded Charley,
clutching at a fat-leaved clover OF
weedy growth.
s'Oh. dear. dear, Charles, how stu
pid you arel" sighed Mrs. Dewsford.
''I'll jump out and get it myself"
Mammal" demonstrated Lizzy.
'sOh, Ill help her !" nodded Charley.
springing nimbly on the cliff, and
pulling Mrs. Dewsfori by main force
up the steep side OF the rock. "dere
you are, ma'am |"
"Yes," painted Mrs. Dewsford; s'but
but it wac very steep. I really think
women should devote more attention
TO gymnastics. o., here's the ASPEN
ium-very choice specimens, too.
Charles, where are you going?"
For Mr.. Everett had sprung back
into the wagon.
s'0niy for little turn, ma'au,
while you are collecting your bolani-
cal treasures.
eyes; but, Charles"
Mrs. Dewsford's words OF remon-
STRANGE we're drowned IN the rattle Of
the wheels. as Mr.. Everett drove
briskly away, with Lizzy nesting up
at his side. One long lingering glance
she gave after the departing rair, and
then returned to her tin case and UNI
brella.
They'll be back presently. she
said.
But the afternoon sunlight faded Of
from the cliff, and the red orb of day
sank maisstieslly down behind the
evergreen glens that bounded the
western horizon, and Mrs. Dewsford
grew tired sud cross and rheumatic.
and still, like the character of ro-
nance, ''they came not"
Something has happened" cried
the prophetic soul OF Mrs. Dewsford.
lit can't be possible that shall have
to stay here oil night"
She looked nervously round. It was q
tall, steep cliff wheceon sne stood, cut
off from the woods beyond by the
rush and roar Of wide aud by no
means shallow stream on one side,
while on tine other three twas almost
perpendicular, rising some twenty
feet up from the road. Mrs. Devs-
ford began to feel. as she SURVEYED IL.