The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-10
ne resolved to see her. For once she

was not in the porch, nor yet within
where he sought her, unsuccesstully
until directed by Mrs. Wells to tn
garden. Turning his steps thitheY
he presently came upon n pictur
which, however charming from an ar
tistic point of view, was anything bu
pleasing to the nnappx<.Atfse gaze a
that moment bent upon it. Standing
beside Bessie, Alfred Gaines held her il
the swing with one arm, while the Other
was stretched upward in the enleuvo,
to gain something which, with bot}
hands, she held away from him. Both
were laughing, but not too heartily to
hear the rustic made by the intruder,
as, in turning quickly, his hand hit
and shook a housekeeping applc-bough
that fell across the path. Recognize
Ling him in the clear moonlight, Bessie
started SO violently as to. throw her
head against Mi. Gaines shoulder,
but for which, and the encircling arm,
she would have fallen to the ground.
Immediately recovering herself, how
ever, she drew away from him into n
patch of shadow near by, leaving Will
no choice but to advance, with very
hot and uncomfortable sense Of false
position, indicated by his first words.
"Cood-evenins,' he began, doubt
fully, addressing no one il particular
~ hope I'm not iutrudiug
Beyond corresponding sulutation
Bessie made no reply, but her com.
panion was not so reticent.
"Ou the contrary" he said with
m'schievous laugh, glaucing toward
the girl-"you are extremely welcome
Ito me, at least. I have quite worn
myself out with swinging Miss Bessie
weight is reilly something
surprisny!-anl shall be glad to find |
so able q substitute -
But, with a saucy retort, Bessie de-
clared herself tired of the sport, and
the party sought the porch. Here,
however, it was no better. A spell OF
mischief seemed to hold Bessie, who
could not or would not talk, bat sat
silently weaving wreath of ro:eDuds
with the ivy that entwined one of the
rustic pillars. Chilled with this cold
reception, Will very soon rose to 60,
out, making one last effort, lie said,
"Bessie, won't you walk down to
he gate with me? I've message for
7Ou.
Slowly and reluctantly the girl COM
'lied, stopping short at the gate, and
skiing, coldly:
swell, what's your message? I
hall be taking cold here"
Now Willis message was some uu-
important trif1e which might as we'll
ave been reserved for another time.
nd, having heard it, she tossed her (
cad, saying: !
ooh, is that all? I'll go back. S
len. Good night" {
''Well, go back!' said Will, fierce Z
:, as she turned away-''go back to c
i'm, if You want to, but I swear" t
"What do you mean?' she cried. |
'lf frightened by the savage whisper, t.
10 abrupt stop, seeming to mask /
me terrible meaning, and the des-
crate, passionate face revealed by the Il
oonliSht-''What were you saying b
ease, Will?" h
She took q step toward him, lust a
uchlng his arm with her hand. but il
shook it off, and muttering-"No W
'tter-I'll not keep you here" b
lied open the gate, aud walked down
e lane without single Backward to
ance. Bessie, after watching him st
t OF sight, returned with a rather til
'ubled face. 81
Willis intention had been to solicit tn
ssie's company for sail which was hx
come off the next duy, on Braut til
nd, but the GOODNESS OF her recep- be
n had checked his purposes. Never hi
less she was there; all life and ii,
'ety as usua, aud rs usual also No. ~,
npanicd by Alfred Gaines. Will al
there, too, for, as the best sailor. nj,
skillful management could not be in,
pnH fro,,, %ho 1>1.A