The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-05-15

WlietIer q coming OF holiday time,
When she was at home once more
brought with it more OF Joy TO him or
70 her. She grew tall and very beautiful.
Her face was clear cut and Of a type sin
sularly patrlcian, but the whole express
sion was one Of delicate g~raciousness. and
her eyes looked out upon the world with
the frankness Of a beautiful child's.
At last the time of her schooling wa
passed. She was IS when she returned
to dwell in the big house, and then she
became more and more a companion to
her father, being in his company for the
greater part Of every day.
There came in due season a lover Inf
this did nothing to disturb the harmony
OF the household. In matters of learn
Ing, 1t laay be, EUstacc was net a fit
companion for the father Of Rachel. but
he was 4 gentleman, like the other. and
a man SO made that you would have
sworn he would remain a boz at heart
no matter how long he should live.
In those days lit was early in the
spring. the old man often sat toward
sunset at the open window Of his ground
floor study, scotled into some sort Of
happiness by the voices of Rachel and
her lover as they walked b~areheaded IN
the gentle western air.
Eustace was a soldier on leave Of ID
visiting the home country, and
the time was one when every man Of
that calling Lnew that the morrow
might see him ordered abroad. PerhaDs
the conrtship progressed more rapidly
than il would otherwise have done be-
cause Rachel was aware Of the shortness
OF b time Of freedom allowed him and
how no cfafed at it. Yet there was 10
blnalng speech between them until the
order came that lie was to return To his
regiment and go to the war. He had no
particular skill in the use Of words, and
his speech with her was straightforward
and to the point.
II am leaving in two days to Join my
regiment and go out to the Crimea.
Since | have been III the west I have
learned to love you. Will you let me go
happy because you have promised to be
my wife?a
Twilight was deepeaing, and only d
few lights shonc yellow in the windows
OF the cottages along the valley. Rachel
did not answer for a moment, though he
somehow felt the thrill of pain that shot
through her at the thought he was 60
ing to the war. She glanced in the di-
rectlon Of the open window where her
father sat in the twilight. Then she
made answer as direct as the speech Of
her love.
If that will make you happy" she
said, T Will promise gladly. But, oh,
! wish you had not to gorp
Afterward it was mainly Eustace who
spoke, and his words, when they did not
express 9 half delirious joy in her ac-
ceptance of his suit, were intended To
convince her that her regrets were need
less. It was his duty not only to 20,
but to 60 gladly, and he would fulfill
that duty to the utmost, though he
must Of necessity leave his heart il
England with her.
The lovers fingered a long time in the
cool and pleasant air, ard it was nos
till late that Rachel told her father of
the thing which had fallen out that
night, and the two received the CID
mans blessing. Then there was a part
ing, and Rachel knew that, save for al
hour or two On the next evening, she
had seen the last Of her lover for many
a long day.
The gardens descend the slope Of the
valley, and from the orchard at the bot
tom a pathway leads into the woods. Il
was this path the lovers took Oh the
night Of their farewells. The spring lad
come full early, and even the muller
ries began to think Of putting forth their
leaves. Ia the woods the prilnroses
shone everywhere, and many an open
space was carpeted with bluebells.
There We're anemones and fraiI wood
sorrel in the shadow of scattered granite
rocks, and the garlic Powered Whitley
where the soil was marshy. Innumer-
able birds were singing, and every tan
gled bramhle bush held a foolish black
bird, that fed with a self betraying
shrek as they approached, making al
most unconsciously for a glade they had
often visited together in the heart of tho
woods.
LET us stop here" said Eustace
presently. do You remember when We
found the place."
II have always known it,, said Ra-
1T was my playground when I
was q child, and sometimes I chose to
myself the sleeping princess and
the palace where / waited for the
prince. | did not think be would ever
MY princess.' cried the man, kiss
ing her as she sat beside him IN the
shade Of a huge tree. "OEt there Shall
think Of you as waiting for me