The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24


sumed: 'sThe house connected in some
way with the mans thoughts is good
sized one, painted q dark red, with
creepers round the lower windows and
climbing up the balcony. 1t is in
square, near one end, and at the other
there is church with a tall spire."
"That's it'll" cried Nettie, wild with
excitement. 'that's st. Gregory's,
Mscclesield Square! Go on, go on"
'There is large figure 81 painted
in gilt on the brown doors and on the
balcony ] Zee large white bird with
| yellow crest on stand"
"Ohp cried Nettie in raptures,
"that's quite enough-the old cocka.
too settles 1t. l can't tell You how
grateful am - And in proof she
gavo the woman q sovereign; then
hurried back to her cab and drove the
whole way home, where she arrived
late for lunch. But she was in such
state of bliss that none of the ques-
tionings or seedlings naturally show
cred upon her had the slightest effect,
and this sudden abnormal elevation of
spirits completely mYstified the menac.
Ibers of her family, who made futile
efforts to divine its cause.
On the day of the dinner party she was
more exuberant than ever and she was
dressed and waiting in the drawing
room halfan hour bsfore any body else,
listening eagerly for the front door
bell, and blushing every time she
heard footsteps on the stairs. When
Captain Tasting arrived, everybody
was electrified to see the quiet, demure
Nettie rush forward oil smiles, and
present him with beautiful carna-
ton, accompanied by tender look.
meant to speak volumes, that puzzled
the good Captain not little. Her
behavior toward him throughout the
evening was altogether extraordinary,
and any one who did not know her
would have classed her as hardened
Airt. This was Captain Hastings
conclusion after time, and, though
it did not agree with his first impress
sions, he could give no other inter-
probation to her forward demeanor to-
ward himself.
"Well." thought the Captain, MS he
drove back to barracks, 'Inever made
greater mistake than in thinking the
little Blake girl o quiet, bread-and-
butter sort of creature. By Jove,
what eyes she can make, aud how she
did go on! And what would my Lily
have said, I wonder, if she had seen
| usi"
Meanwhile Nettie was having her
hair brushed out. feeling jubilant in
deed, despite the severe lecture her
mother had given her. Somehow,
the happiness in her face seemed to be
reflected in her maids, for Barker was
positively beaming with satisfaction,
aud at the same time her thoughts
seemed far away, for she repeatedly.
in q fit of abstraction, brashe her
young mistress's face, which was most
painful.
Barker, what are you thinking
| of?' demonstrate Nettie. after tho
third face brushing. For answer,
Barker threw down the brush, and an.
nounced with tears OF joy in her eyes
and happy giggle i'll her voice
ooh, Miss Nettie, I'm so excited l
hardly know what I'm doing! I'm 60
ing to be married. Aud his names
| Tommy Green, and he is SO good look
ing, miss-but stop, I'll show you his
photo" She pulled an envelope out
OF her apron pocket, and took from it
u photograph OF handsome man in
uniform, which she laid triumphantly
before her mistress on the dressing
table.
But Nettie did not look at the pho
tograph; her eyes were fixed on the
address of the envelope, which was in
the handwriting she had SO tenderly
studied as that of Captain Tasting.
"Tell me, Barker" she calculated,
"who is this man you're going to
marry?" And she snatched up the
portrait hastily.
"Lor', miss" answered Barker,
she's the servant of that Captain
Tasting who was here this evening,
and the Captain thinks no end of him,
and"
"Oh, / see," said Nettie, greatly
relieved, she directs his letters for
him. Can't your soldier write, then?"
s'Can my soldier write!" exclaimed
Barker Indignantly. "Why he's most
highly educated, miss, far above the
common run Of soldier servants; and
as to writing. he does it SO we'll that
sometimes when the Captains busy he
gets Tommy to answer letters for him,
like private secretary. Not impor.
tant letters, of course, miss; but l
mean, for instance, he'll sometimes
toss him an invitation and say Just
except this for me Green or perhaps
he is to refuse it, as the case may be,
miss and then, you see"
eyes, yes, Barker; good night. I'm
very tired" said Nettie, somewhat
abruptly, "and I wish you every
happiness.
"Thank you, Miss Nettie I was just
going to tell You 1T was Tommy as
answered Mrs. BIake's last note
inviting the Captain"
"Good night, Barker" repeated
Nettie, with sharpness that sent the
maid away in great hurry, wondering
what was wrong.
Nettie did not mention Captain
Tasting when she could possibly avoid
it. When an invitation to his wedding
with Miss Lillian Bankford came,
Nettie did not go; but the rest OF the