The Opelousas courier., 1896-08-22

toward the buSh on which three roses
were clustering in most gorgeous rich
ness.
Mr.. Rhodes pat his hand into his
pocket, aul felt Of the official papers,
to gather a little courage from their
contact.
81 have" sail 1ir. Rhodes, Gan at
tachment."
Miss Morgan this time lent bushes
to the rose.
"lhe attachment. Miss Morgan, is
OF a distant date, AMI | felt that too
much time already elapsed; that, in
deed, instead OF intrusting ii, as |
might have done, to another, [ thought
that in a matter Of SO much dellcacy
it would be proper for me to come i'll
person"
''Tor me, 2Ir. Rhodes? the attack
ment for me-"
CAS- I was saying, Miss Morgan, the
attachment / have; and l felt it a
matter OF deiicacy to come in person,
thinking that my own can might be
considered, if there was any deficiency
in the value Of this property
"Ir, Rhodes, you seem to DE rather
enigmatical.'
81, nevertheless" said Mr.. r.,
"mean to speak very plainly when |
say that with reference to this attach
ment, Miss Morgan, should You honor
me SO far os so ACCEPT my profession,
my ~pecuniary means would be devoted
to the-to the attachment"
Il waa," said Miss Morgan, g.
unprepared for this
II was afraid that Wa the ,"
said Mr.. Rhodes, ':aniG therefore I
thought it more delicatt/ to make the
offer i'll person."
"You are very considerate, Mr..
Rhodes
Gam J, then, to understand, Miss
Morgan, that my proposition is agree
able to Eou:" In other words, that 1t
is acceptel?'
> "Mr. RloIes," said the lady, with
ppel hesitation, Il must claim g little
time to think OF it,"
81 Will call, then, On my return
from the village beyond"
"Let ms ask a little more time"
said she; ';say neXt'waez.
"AIiss Morgan" said 5Ir. Rhodes,
'the matter requires immediate an
swer; the attachment IS Of an old date,
and time now is everything. My feel
inss are deeply Interested; and may l
not hope that while you are using SO
short IA time to consider d subject
which you are pleased to view as OF
such great delicacy with regard to
yourself, you will allow my feelings to
weigh with ylHa in deciding in favor of
my proposition, which, | assure you,
is made after due deiiberation upon
my ability to perform my part Of the
contract"
Mr.. Rhodes then took his leave, as
tonishea at his own volubility, which,
indeed, nothing could have induced
bat his des8e to relieve I SO much
esteemed asS1Iiss Morgan from pres
ent embarrassment.
Mr.. Rhodes drove to o ne!ghboring
place, deeply occupied with his good
purposes toward Miss Morgan, salts
flying himself that the pecuniary sac
riice he had proposed was due to his
untold and unknown affection for her,
and not beyond his means.
Miss Morgan felt a renewal of all
those feelings which had rather been
dormant than ~quenched in her bosom,
and desired the advice of her married
who wa unfortunately absent.
That Mr.. Rhodes had once felt a
attachment to her, she could
not doubt that he had continued to
as she had done, the recipro-
cal feeling, she had not v~entured to
hope. But as it WAS evident that the
proposition of fir. Rhodes was not
any sudden impulse, Miss Nor
gan resolved to signify her assent to a
proposition SO worthy OF considera-
ton on all accounts.
In less than two hours MI. Rhodes
drove up to the door again, fastened
his horse, and was readmltted to the
llttle back parlor, which she had oc.
cupIed in an earlier part of the day.
"Miss Morgan" said Mr.. Rhodes,
''before receiving your answer, which
| trust you are prepared to give in
Of accepting my proposals, l
to state to you that / have con-
sidered all the circumstances of my
situation and yours, and find myself
better able, from some previously un-
considered matters, to keep my part
Of tie arrangement than I thought my
self, when I ventured to make the
offer ; SO that the kindness, If you will
have that word used in this matter,
is all on your side"
"ITnder present circumstances-I
those OF our long acquaintance
and our family intercourse, though OF
ate rather interrupted" said Miss
Morgan, land my right, by years (she
casting a glance at a looking
glass that showed only matured wo-
to speak for myself, I have
concluded to consider your proposal
"Consider! Miss Morgan, consider
.'avorably! LAY I not hope you mean
hat you will accept it!'
Miss Morgan gave no answer.
"Nay, then it is accepted" said Mr..
Rhodes, with a vivacity that Miss Nor
gan thought would have brought him
her lips-her hand, at least.
INFLOW happy you have made me-"
laid Mr.. Rhodes; 'sheving now dis
posed Of this matter, there are ten
lays allowed"
"Thas's very short" said Miss Nor
gan s:only ten days; you seem to be
a haste unusual to you at least"
SIT is the attachment, and not /,