The Opelousas courier., 1896-12-12
nVerv interesting! But scarcely to

uobC OuCC " 1AodtA oAu ohoo Il
be- very firing. I give you my word
that l did not sleep a wink all last
night. The practice won't stand that
sort of thing long, you KNOW said l
earnestly.
eff l might ask, I should like to
know whom you would consider IN
fault in this little misunderstanding"
be asked.
81 am, sir. It stands to reason; I
should not be so anxious if she were
in fault" and then I explained the
whole matter, finishing up with, 81
can't remember exactly what I called
her, but whatever it WAS I didn't mean
it."
81 am not able to refresh your
memory as to what you said on that
occasion, but [ can tell you what |
have heard you call her myself" said
Mr.. Druitt quietly. And then he told
me.
His tone was a revelation to me.
Not that I'd call Witch anything
worse than q "little fool" But |
realized what it must have sounded
like to the hearers, and to him, her
father! don't know how | looked,
but I felt mean, cheap, worthless.
Utterly so, l began to stumble out
apologies. He waved his hand,
"All right" said he, ''but you see
your language is at times forcible."
He is a wise man, so he said no
more. He showed his wisdom there
in, for I went ut once to see Witch in
a very contrite frame of mind. l was
ready to make a mat of myself, and
let my darling trample on me if it
should SO please her, or to do any
other extravaganza thing, such was the
depth of my humility. Still as J. jour
neyed Putneyward I wondered as to
who could have stirred up the strife
between us. Suddenly it flashed
across my mind that Witch had seated
herself beside Aunt Betsy Jsne, and
that Aunt Betsy Jane was her god
mother and therefore licensed to
interfere. To be sure! It must have
been Aunt Betsey Jane who suggested
the letter.
When I arrived at the Cedars it was
about twelve o'clock. If all went we'll
peace would reign between Witch and
myself in an hour. And if so I would
take her off to Richmond, get a boat
from Messum's, row up the river,
come to anchor in a backwater / knew
Of between Richmond and Hampton,
aud then make her name the day.
But things didn't go we'll; they went
exceedirgl y badly instead. When
Amelia (Amelia is the Druitts' house
maid) opened the door, and I inquired
for Witch, she said ~gravely:
miss Druitt is not we'll, Sir, but I'll
tell her you're here"
Then she showed me into the dining
room. This Was ominous! In the
menage it is customary to see
who come on business-dress-
makers, laundresses, servants, seeking
places--ln the dining room before
lunch. Amelia left me and went up
stairs. rapidly diagnosed tie situa-
I took out my pocketbook and
"My darling, I she'll wait in
the old boat at the end of the lawn till
you can see me-" and then I signed it
sJohn."
Amelia came back. sIf you please,
sir, Miss Druitt does not feel equal to
you to-day, but will write to
you tonight"
exactly" said I quietly. "Can
you give me an envelope? Thanks.
Give that to Miss Druitt, please"
The maid left the room and I went
into the garden. At the bottom of
The garden ran the river; chained to
post, was an old boat. It was seldom
used, as the spot was not picturesque,
but it was secluded, hidden both from
house and from the passing boats
BY thick dropping willows. 1t was
here that Witch and I had come to the
conclusion that we could not live with
put each other. I sat down in the
boat, feeling very wroth with Witch
md bitter against Aunt Betsy Jane.
I would have given much to know if
'he were in the house at that moment!
| thought out all I had heard of the
lays of u youth. I felt mean and
I bethought me of an old
incident in her life wherein Aunt
Betsy Jane had sailed very near the
Wind. and had had q narrow escape of
social wreck.
Would you believe it? I sat in that
boat, except when I got up and
stretched myself, till s O'Clock! It
vas nearly dark, and when I heard the
block strike I swore to myself that if
Witch did not appear before the Chin
ng of the quarter I would row the old
'oa: down to the bridge, give a boy
'ixpence to bring it back again-and,
veil, when Witch wanted me she
night send for me. That was all!
It must have been very near the
when I saw stealing down the
her head and shoulders
Wrapped mp in a white cloud, my
At least I thought SO at first.
5ut I So saw it wasn't. 1t was some
me more k1npsnd less kind. Never.
heless, as the + i'm drew near, peer
ng about in the ahsb, I sprang for
YARD, caught her n my arms and
Kissed her. She hipa II breath with
which to utter sounH. She could not
listen to my ardent,f-fa r more ardent
hat l ever bestowed on Witch-ex-
,ressions of affection.
"My darling" I went on, 81 know
'ou would never have made such a
title fool OF yourself if it hadn't been
or that malicious catamaran, Aunt
Betsy Jane" The form within my
rms struggled. I was holding her