The Opelousas courier., 1898-10-29

sweet and lovely as yonder half-opene,
rosebud. You will perhaps laugh a
me-" he added, "but I have lost m,
heart to one of u hop-pickers.
"Danielr
"Her name is Mary Ravenel, sir.
never saw her before this season. Sh,
Is picking hops with her aunt, or som
elderly relative-a pale, fragile look
ing girl, but as beautiful as q dream
And love her."
The old squire shook his head.
Il can trust you, my son." said he
"and whoever you choose to bring
here will be as welcome as the flowers
in May.'T
While all this time the artist, stroll
ing idly along to observe the various
groups, came upon a pale faced CIR
IN black-a girl with large, mel.,ng,
wlne-brown eyes, straight ptese
features and soft dark Lair, overhanG,
ing her forehead like q mist of let.
"Miss Ravenel," he cried, in a tone
Of utter amazement. :.
eyes, Miss Ravenel,,' she smiled
back. ''You are astonishSd to see me
here. But the doctor declared that
hop-picking would be the very thing
for me. SO Aunt Verna, brought me,
and here we are. And I am really ac-
complishing wonders in the hop-pick-
Ing line! Sit down here and eat some
OF these delicious dollhouse grapes.
They are sent to us daily by an I'M
known benefactor. That is" as Aunt
Verna smiled meaningly, mot exactly
unknown. It is Squire Durell's son.
he will persist in sending all these
delightful things, although l tell him
over and over, that | have no need of
them. I believe he thinks I am O
starving dressmaker, or something of
the kind with a blush and q smile.
but, oh, he is SO good! And / like
him so much! Now show us, please,
what you have been sketching."
Mr.. Durell came down, in the l.
red glow of the summer sunset, to the
willow-shaded curve in the river where
Miss Ravenel liked to sit when her
days work was done.
Il have brought you some of the
rare orchids from the conservatory"
said he. ''You told me the other day
that you liked flowers"
II am much obliged to you," said
she, gratefully. "But, Nh. Durell, I
have something to tell YOU"
"otop a minute" he said. 81 have
something to tell you-that I love
YOU, that l want to make you my
wife. Dear Miss Ravenel, you are
surprised at this? Have you.not seer
it growing out of mybeart b degrees?
My father is old and infrm, but he is
ready to welcome you with all paternal
"You really love me?:" she cried,
with wide open eyes. "Me, a poor,
pale, little hop-picker?"
You, my queen and my ideal!"
"Then," she said, all smiles and
bushes, 81 think I ought to repay
you by loving you q little. And I
think | do-nay, I am quite certain of
"My darlingl Oh, my darling" he
murmured.
"But wait; you have not heard what
[ am" she urged.
"You are Miss Ravenel'"
Il am General Ravenel's daughter,
am here by the doctors order, not
because | need the daily wages of a
hop-picker. But you won't like me
any the less, will you, 70" that?"
MIR. Durell stood amazed. Miss
Ravenel, the great heiress!
1--WE are stopping at the Clancliff
said she. II have my phaeton
md ponies there. I will drive up to
he house to see your father, since he
'annot come to me-"
"But I thought you were a poor
'irl, hiring n of these tents at so
a night" said Daniel in per-
"That's where you were mistaken"
aid Miss Ravenel, smiling. "But
lop-picking has done me a great deal
f good. Aunt Verna says my cheeks
re redder than they used to be; and
must be better, because"
"Well?"
because I feel SO happy" said
larry Ravenel, coloring like a rose.
And SO Daniel Durell found his
fe's treasure out among the garland
oppoles. Hearthstone.