The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-31
MAJOR PENDA[Z As.
A Christmas Love Story.
BY FRANK r. STOCKTON.
CHAPTER II.

I was down stairs before breakfast
tho next morning. and I met the Major
just coming in from !; sit to his sta
bles.
Merry Christmas!' he cried, "and
isn't this a glorious day-sun bright an
sky clear? But tho snow is about Il
foot deep on the level, and nobody
knows how deep in the drifts. havo u
Canadian in my employment who walks
on snow shoes, and | have sent him
across the country to TIC Delivers to
tell them where you are and let
them know you will be, there i'll the
course OF tho afternoon. I'll scnh out
some men with double vcam ot oxen
and snow plow to break the road, and
after luncheon I'll drive over myself.
In the meantime how arc you going to
spend the morning, sir?"
laughed as gazcd into his earnest
cOuntenancc.
Il am going to try to br;:ak Il road
| into the region Of mairlHlony," re-
piled. q
The Majors face shono like the mo;n-
ing sun.
You're sound as IL dollar!" he OK
claimed. After breakfast you two shall
have tho house to yourselves. III carry
off Mrs. Bardsley and the rest of them
! to the Christmas pres business in the
big barn. suppose you can get through
in an hour3"
"Oh, yes" | answered; probably in
less time
Tho Major was now called of, and
strollel into tho reading room to look
again at my picture. The room was
| full of the morning light. and as
turned to tho wall on which Cly land
scape hung, stood with eyes and mouth
wide open-thc paper on tho wall Was
one designed by Clara Weldon. l re-
mcmbercd when she was working Oh it in
her studio. There was tcndril running
through it which [ had suggested.
cIappcd my hands, and felt like bursting
ont with u shout Of pure enjoyment. but
l restrained myself The breakfast bell
rang, and rs I went out, | closed the
door behind me.
Miss Weldon came down refreshed
and lovely, and as she exchanged the
| Christmas salutations l almost felt
guilty, in thinking of the conspiracy
which we two had hatchcd up agains.
her, but did not in the least swervc
from my purpose.
1t was about IN hour aftcrwaru, whom
Miss Weldon aud I were sitting before Il
blazing fire in the parlor, that | &C.
clared my love for hc!, thai asked he.
| 10 u "a Nd i, IVA, i,.'
increased as | spoke, told her every
thing laid before her tho whole glow.
ing picture which Major Pendallas had
painted for mo
When began to speak she looked at
me in o quizzical way, as il she were
amused at tho sudden out-cropping OF
my passion, but aftcrward she began tc
listen with interest, as il it were due tC
mo to give serious consideration to 4
it might be that happened to be urg-
| ing it just then. But when told hcl
what the Ma or had been talking about
her face flushed with Indignation.
1T is a shame, she exclaimed. "that
that that man should discuss NE in sncl
a way. What right has he to mcdde
with my affairs or give advice concern
me? II 1 can do it, I will loave this
house this instant"
You cannot do it, I sail, and be-
you will restrain your anger until I OK.
plain the case. Maj. Pendalas takes &
great interest in me on account OF my
! work. You remember what he said al
breakfast about my pictures. He has
taken-"
Il don't caro- anything about his in.
terest in YOU" she interrupted. Il an
thinking about myself. He has no right
to take any sort OF interest in mc-tc
discuss me. 1t is the most unwarrant.
able thing. the most
please do not say anythin: more