The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-18

COUSIN MORRIS.

modest, natural manner.
What could he do under the circum-
stances! He was almost intoxicated
with the strangeness Of the position
and kissed her not once, but twice.
He felt as though he could do any
thing for her sweet sake. How he
had scoffed when hearing Of man
falling suddenly in love, but here he
had accidentally met pure and beau
tiful women with large, wistful, blue
eyes, who had spoken to him kindly.
Her presence made him feel q differ
ent being, happier than he had ever
beenin his life before. She had q
truly sympathetic nature, and his
heart went out to her ut once with
passionate longing, an intense desire
to do something for her sake, and
Morris for the first time in his life
knew what it meant to fall suddenly
and desperately in love.
There was an awkward silence on
his part which was broken at last by
her gentle voice:
''You will come back tonight, Cousin
Morris, as father wishes, and do exactly
what he desires by letting the past be
forgotten?'
Before he could reply or think Of an
answer there was knock at the door,
and footmau appeared.
"The carriage is waiting, Miss
Alice" he said, respectfully.
''Thank you, Reuben; good bye,
cousin, till the evening. Tell the
coachman where to leave you, and in
the meantime I will practice some
songs for your especial benefit" aud
gently pushing Morris she led the
way to the front door, the old gentle
man warmly grasping his hand, giving
him significant glance to keep si-
lent.
In half-dazed condition he en-
tered the carriage, telling the coach
man to drive to Fleet street. Dis
missing the conveyance close by the
Bank Of England, he hrrriedly walked
to Holborn, entering the hotel and
going directly to his rooms.
"What did it all mean?' he solilo-
quized. Evidently they have mis-
taken me for some one else." ''Cousin
Norris -how the name seemed to
ring in his ears. Like flash of
lightning it crossed his mind that
he had been taken for the person who
had answered the advertisement to
the personal, and, drawing from his
pocket the copy, he again read it.
TX z: Meet me tonight. at 8
o'clock at the entrance to St. Gather
ines docks. Fail at your peril. This
is to our mutual advantage"
"That sounds like q threat. T will
never believe that the old gentleman
and that beautiful young girl have
over done anything wrong. I will
keep this appointment"
1t was q cold, damp night, with
plenty Of mud and fog, but exactly
at s p. m. Morris was standing
close by the entrance to st.
GATHERINGS docks. It was so dark
that he could scarcely distinguish the
faces of passers-by, most of them
being sailors and dock hands, who had
been drinking.
At last young man, similar to him
self in height and appearance, took up
such position that he knew it must
be the person he was looking for.
Suddenly he was startled by o great
commotion. Cries of "Stop him!"
Runaway" resounded on all sides,
and horse and wagon came thunder
ing along. The man he was watching
sprang forward, attempting to stop
the terrified animal, but slipped and
was dashed aside. 1t was so quickly
done that no one noticed the accident,
and Morris Immediately went to his
assistance.
care you much hurt?" he said,
helping him to his feet.
He groaped and in a dazed manner
said: "My arm is broken; help me
to cab; there's good fellow. But
who are you?" he gasped, suspicious
ly. 81 had the pleasure Of your COM
pany on the steamship about three
weeks ago."
81 remember you now. I wish
now that I had never left New York
city,
Morris hailed a cab, and they were
driven to boarding house at Black
Heath, and it was found that severe
ly sprained arm was the full extent of
his injuries.
Surprising I stay for tonight.
There are two beds, and you and are
not strangers, both hailing from New
York." said Morris.
His offer was thankfully accepted,
and after half an hours chat the band
ages were carefully arranged, the
sleeping aughtadninistered to allay
the pain, and Morris had the pleasure
Of seeing him sink into deep slum-
Der.
This is just what he desired and
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