The Opelousas courier., 1897-05-22

crochet,needles, I never owned either
one or the other. But If you will teach
NE. Cousin Clara, l will learn to sew
and cook. and make home pleasant.
AMI Cousin Clara, won from the
first by the bright, beautiful girl, viii.
ingly taught her oil she wished TO
learn. It was only in brief snatches
she coull learn. Sewing worried her;
cooking smothered her; housekeeping
accounts bothered her. Yet gradually
she was toning down.
Only the spirit of mischief pos.
sessed her when Clarence was near.
knowing all his fastidious tastes, ell
his lndolent, di!ettante waya, she de.
lighted to jar upon the one, and shake
him ont Of the other. She reused u
new ambition III his mind by keenIy
pointed sarcasms at his elfeminate par.
suits. She challenged HIN to races,
shooting matches, pedestrian trips,
and fairly drove him about by the
laughing lash Of her witty tongue.
It wa curious to note how they
came by degrees TO q level, the enc
shaking off unmaniy incidence, the
other softening masculine traits. while
the little winged god of love HID.
laughing, unsuspected by either.
Mrs. Parker found him ont first.
Loving Clarence above all else on
earth, her mother instinct taught her
quickly the reason Of the ciaEgein him,
the influence that was giving him an
erect carriage, q new hight OF energy
IN his great dark eyes, an added inter
est III the affairs Of his own fortune,
seeking for channels where it might
flow to benefit others as we'll as him
self. And reading the secret Clarence
as yet did not himself suspect, Mrs.
Parker e%xultel in her heart to see how
Myra Was just as surely bowling her
Tree, frank nature to the yoke of love,
scsenins her manner, toning down
hei joyous ringing voice, training her
hands to Tomanly work.
Autumnal winds we're scattering the
crimson leaves when John Delano
came to New York for the first time in
len years, and was the guest Of Mrs.
Parker In her city home, to which the
had just returned. He came
for Ayra, thinking OF her happiness to
back to her free life, and she
grew pale ct his loving caress.
"What ails the chiid?" lie asked, |
turning 10 his cousin as Myra left the
oom. "She was ne7er SO quiet as that
in her lie before"
you will know soon, John. No,
you may know nowl' said Mrs.
pointing, as size spoke, across
bali to the library, where Clarence
bad risen as Mvra entered. Just one
.ons look into the two feces satisfied
he father.
'It will be we'll with her when I am
sone," be said, half sadly; and when
1larence came to him to win his con-
;ent to wed MYra he received him
'ordialiy and gladly.
at viii be lonely in the old home"
le said, and MYra, clinging to him,
'ssoueht him TO go back no more to
he solitary life of tho past.
""e need you here" me pleaded;
nd Mrs. Parker endorsedfhe petition.
Af:aTerShe wedding OF the young
oIks snd>fAeir home-con1l.- to the
house Frs. Parker insistea upon
occupying, Cousin John fell into
he habit of "aendings rs evenings
it'll Clara. They-were so lonely.
lcse middle-aged people, each de-
rived o: a companion of years. They
Kissed the ''child' who had been the
Of all love for each, and, talk
lg often of their mutual loss and
ain, drew their sore, lonely hearts
ito close communion, until Myra,
in upon her husband one
.ornlng, announced:
"Ciaire, I have been to see your
other, and father Was there, and
"Well, I guess that after this wno-
goes to see my mother will he
ny likely to find your father there"
"You knew"
"Not a word! Is it settled2"
Eyes. They insist upon 3 quiet
in church, and We can cease
fret any longer about either one or
9 other missing you OR me-"
1t WAS qaite true. TIE power OF q
We that had SO softened and improved q
yra, Sd ennobled Clarence, had =
avn the bitterness of their early =
doWlood from the hearts of John q,
and Clara Parker, anl shed &
nien light over two happy homes q
Nv York Ledger. !,