The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-11-28

to buy good picture. p got one OF
yours last fall ano am very fond of look
ing at it. Come with me and I'll show
it to you.
The Major then proceeded to me-
dunn sized room in the front OF the
house, which he called his reading room.
: 1T isn't a study said he, for never
study, and it isn't a library, for it hasn't
books enough for that, but it is as good
a room to read in as / know. fine
light. and always cool in summer-there
is the picture, aud he held up lamp
before one OF my larg landscapes.
Il thought Burnet owned that OK
claimed.
Yes, he did, but he's been hard up
lately, and had to sell of par OF his
collection. l snapped up that as soon
as / saw it. There are things in that
picture that you seldom see in paintings.
That's timothy grass in that meadow,
and cut about the end of June would
make hay worth about SO q ton. It's
ready to cut now," said he, and from
the looks OF the leav,s on the trees,
and the size OF those MULLEN Plants,
should say it was In June that you took
it"
Il made my studies in June" l said.
Good" he cried; Il knew it. There
! is no nonsense about that meadow, such
as you would see in most pictures. No
bushes and struggling briars, or patches
of red clover and orchard grass. l am
a STRAIGHTFORWARD and practical man,
and L like a straightforward and. practi-
cal picture. or course you couldn' t
help tho daisies, and no more can | in
my own meadows.
Now, then said he, when we were
| again before the fire, you can see for
yourself how / know you, and can tell
| you that it delights me to have In my
/. house the man who painted that picture.
After n while I'll brew a bowl of regent 8
punch. But it isn't late enough for
that. Well have bachelar night OF it..
| By next Christmas / suppose the young
lady will put veto on bachelor nights. "
"Veto?" said I. What do you mean?"
you will surely be married by next
Christmas" he replied.
Married." l exclaimed with laugh,
I'VE have never thought of being mar
rieG."
The Major took his cigar from his
mouth, put his hands upon his knees,
leaned forward and looked ut me.
DO you mean to say, sir, that you
and Miss Weldon are not engaged 10 be
married."
Not at ALL" said 1. We have known
each other a long time, hut we are
friends and nothing more.
We'll. I'll be hanged cried Ma .oi
Pendallas, throwing away his cigar and
rising abruptly from his chair. Then
sanding with his back to the lire he
looked down upon me.
How / am di appointed. surely
thought you two were team, and Line
one. had made up my mind 10 it. and
now an set back. feel as II were
driving big Percheron and polo pony
I'm a practical, cJmmon-sense man
an / don't min asking practi a., com.
nonsense questions / have done ina
all my lie, and though l have made
good many people mad, it has always
been better for me in the end NOW
: would you mind telling me ii thatyoun;
, woman is enga Jed 10 somebody else, o.
if you are? Don't get ang y. III any
body is angry ought TO be.
, was not in the least offended. Their
was an impetuo IS but kindly earnest
ness about the man which impressed IN
very agreeably. There are some peopl
| whose liberties are pleasant rather thai
otherwise; the Major was one OF thos
PEG lie. -.
7 Il am not engaged" said, with
smile. land havs no reason to believ
tina. she is.
, Major Pendallas thrust his hands int
. his trousers pockets, strolled 10 the en-
OF the large room, and then, turning
1 came back and sat down..
Il believe, said he, that the ma
: who lives alone does more thinking t
1 the minute than other people. Whe
1 she was pouring out the coffee tonight
1 and you were Landing your cup to bel
: and both Of you were laughing at tn
sugar, stopped eating and said to my
q self, That Is as perfect match as
q ever saw And in regard TO huma
t beings it is very seldom that thin
o that. And nov you turn around an
n tell me that you and she go single.
: I could not help laughing at the serl
GUS way in which he discussed the sui
q ject.
:, I. sbut Miss Weldon and / are not maj
l ryine people. For myself, cannot a
: ford matrimony.
: THAT'S what once thought, he sait
Il aand for thirty-ilve years | have re
e gretted that l was foolish enough
Q think so.
II it was plain that my host was ma
n o, nervous temperament. He could M
If sit still while considering the sublec
II evidently OF deep interest to him. b
n now rose, folded his arms, and locke
q at me steadily for fully minute.
t. he gazed at me his eyes seemed TO gro
n brighter and larger.
y 1T was my intention TO make bus
of ness proposition to you, founded
d what you and Miss Weldon said abo'
10 this part OF the coun lry aud how muc
y YOU liked it. / considered it one OF Il
happiest thoughts had ever had.
2. What was it," / asked, good de
4, amused. but careful not to show 1t.
t. shall be glad TO hear it, whether | CT
ie accept it or not.
rs aAll right" said the Major, seatil
himself with decision; you shall ha'
~ it. / will make the proposition in Il
h common sense, straightforward mann
~ in which / intended to mako it.
y over ten months I have been kickil
he and Tuning at being oblige I'd TO IL
t. here in this lonely house. Tonight
I sad to myself, over and over agai
70 What would give ii these two Won
eat all their meals with me-. would col
ID here and live in this house! And tn
OF I said, why shouldn't they? He's
er landscape pa inter-. and they would wa
lie toliye somewhere in the country, a
H. are n likely to fin1 any place mo
ut beautiful than this. Now, perhaps tina
IN lust what they want and what they a
is izlx.,,.x fnr ard tho hest in NO Won C