The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-11-24

ana Dlusterous, though otherwise fine.
Most of the sportsmen grumbled at
the wind good deal, as sportsmen
have way Of doing; but Sturtivant and
Buckley viewed the outlook with eqtlan-
unity. In the course of breakfast the
latter, who had taken a seat next to
Louisa, said to that lady in his most
engaging tones:
''You are coming out with us this
morning, Miss Siggers?''
ooh, Mr.. Buckley" the fair Louisa
simpered, looking extremely pleased.
II should like to, ever so much; but
it is so dreadfully rough and windy
that--that-"
II shall positively hate the wind if
it keeps you from accompanying us, %
murmured Charlie tenderly, aud in q
voice too low for any one else to hear.
Louisa became very bashful and
overwhelmed at that, and turned down
her belladonna-brilliant eyes in sweet
confusion on her plate.
upon my word, Mr.. Buckley, you
you-oughtn'tto say such things-you
oughtn't, indeed! He! hep
'But will you Gomez" persisted
Charlie earnestly.
'If-if-you really wish it.'
"I do"
''Then I will"
And the belladonna-b brilliant eyes
were lifted from the plate to meet
BickleH's in one unutterable glance.
So It came to pass that when the
spoEtsplen started Louisa was one OF
thsfeJ ladies who braved the wind to
ACCOMPANY them; and it goes without
sayi9s9 that she attached herself to
Bi@AeS, who, indeed, encouraged her
to d5 so by the tender affability of his
manner. Clad in choice sporting
costume, with short skirts and CATERS
and the neatest of shooting boots, she
trudge along by Charles side, while
that young man divided his attention
between killing birds and doing the
tender to. his. Louisa, to say nothing
of keeping sharp eye on Wedding
ton, the adjacent gun on his right, lest
the latter should perchance be moved
to point his barrels in their direction.
All went we'll until about half an
hour before luncheon. Then Char.
lies eye happened to fall upon Louisa s
back hair, and he noticed something.
"Pardon me-" he said, with polite
consideration. ''You will think il
kind of me to mention it, I'm sure.
One of your-your- hailpins is just
coming out.
''Is it? Thank you. Which? Is
it this one?" exclaimed Louisa, put
ting both her hands to her bun in q
fine fuster.
'No; you have not quite hit the
spot. Allow me- {.
And Charlie, approaching, bent for.
ward and deity negotiated the re.
fractory pin with his first finger and
thumb.
"There, :" he said, IT think that is
all right"
ION, thank you so much! 80 good
Of you," giggled Louisa.
"Nay! pleasure privileges
delight" murmured audacious
Charles.
But here q brace of birds rose
straight in front, and Buckley stopped
flirting with Louisa to polish them
both off in workmanlike manner.
They had not advanced many PAGES
before Louisa was heard to utter a
sharp, shrill cry of dismay-almost OF
anguish. The cause was almost too
obvious. Just then had come q
stronger gust than usual, and in mo-
ment, before she could putup her hands
to stop it, it had whisked off her hat
aye, and worse than that--her gol-
den bun, both of which were being
whirled high and rapidly upon the
squally breeze.
Now the wind was blowing from
their rear, and the consequences was
| that both hat and bun, which had
separated, were carried diagonally
across Weddington's line of fire.
It was then that Sturtivant-the
wicked and mischievous-who was
next gun beyond Wellington, pre-
pared the finishing touch to this catas
trophe.
"Yours, We'd" sang out this ineos
r'gsbls auasgsst, exeItealy,