The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-07-16
CHAPTER I.

air bracing as pure wine, ana tne rare
autumnal day was drawing to a close.
Hopedale was peaceful hamlet, but
beyond it's kind In certainly one pro.
gressive point-lt had a young ladies'
seminar Of unusual excellence, and
young man Of more than usual acumen
was enjoying the beautiful day and tax
ing In the distant turrets and peaks OF
the institute Of learning In question at
that eventful hour, for him, when our
story opens.
He had tho look OF an artist, and the
equipment OF EN- artist surrounded him.
He had chosen the slope Of woode
grove for hls Damp. stool, and had set
bis easel facing the village. The fam
Ing leaves Of broad spreading tree
sheltered him. Air, earth and sky were
In harmony with tho artistic Impulse,
but just now he seeme.' in thoughtful
rather than an active mood.
His brush had fallen to his side. and
the canvas showed only a few lazy
patches OF color. 1t seemed as II he
had come out to paint Nature and had
been shamed from feeble effort by the
glorious brush of Nature itself. The
sun, which dashed the white villas with
pale gold, made the sumacs great
ensanguined blur of crimson, and,
mingling with the vari-colored tree
tops, produced those exquisite shades
and alterations of color and beautiful
effects which no pen has evcr yet de-
scribed, no brush ever yet delincated.
L wish she would come" he muir
INJURED. Il wonder If she will comc?'
His words were a sigh Of longing and
anxiety, and he continued to gaze at the
distant turrets as If she" was a fairy,
with power to fly straight through tho
air to his side.
There was q rustling among the dry
wigs back OF him, but he did not heed
i. Then there was CULVER OF branches
overhead, and down came a hundred
Tutoring leaves. :.
Caught in a shower, Mr.. Dreamerl
laughed o bright, bell-like voice. Is
This the way you work at the great Pc
ture that is to charm the worldf'
sEdnal"
over went stool and easel as the
young man spranc to his foot, as II from
an electric shock. Red as the red, red
leaves strewn about him flushed the
handsome face, and brighter than tho
CRYSTAL rays OF sunshine glowed his
proud looking eyes down into responsive
ones brighter yet, while he clasped the
hands, both hands, that had shaken the
Dough overhead, sending earthward The
fiuttering messengers of mischief.
/, Il so wanted to see you'll" he breathed
thrilling at the trustful glance OF those
pure eyes.
sAnd l SO wanted TO see you, but
Raymond"
He was o privileged character, this
athletic, handsome-faced young fellow
all soul, oil art, all love, for they were
affianced, yet her tones were tende
reproach, a mock serious mandate, a.
his eager lips came trihe dangerousl,
near sweeping her.velyety check. Sh'
had managed to shrink back and dis
engage her hand, and with the tip 0
one pearly pink finger she pointed bacl
the way she had come.
There was a roguish twinkle In he
eve, as Raymond Marshall stole qulcl
glance In the direction indicated. HI
frowned ond groanod, dolefully ou
subm.ssively.
His visitor had not come unattended
Back In tho grove, girl Of her own ag
was toying with the rafting tops OF tn
blanchod golden rod.
sWas 1t necessary" no began, an
then no uttered, quito testify: Away
that girl"
RAYMOND! how dare your came tn
spiritcd Interpolation, and Miss Edn
Dcane showed tho fire OF her quick ma
turc In sudden, indignant fash OF thos
captivating eyes. Beatrice Mercer
my friend.
wish she Wasn't. OF all your az
sociates distrust her the most, yer
tured Raymond Marshall.
aYou ought to DO ashamed" con
mentcd Miss Tyrant, severely. an
you ought to feel grateful to her, II
stead OF otherwise.
Grateful"
.Yes; that is - you really care abo,
seeing mo. You know the rules OF th
seminary. No young lady may leay
its sacred precincts unless accompanie
by ono OF tho teachers. Poor Beatrie
has to teach for her tuition, and they IL
vest her with the dignity and judgmer
OF a duenna. SO, when told Mis-
Chandler, the principal, that ] had tn
headache, that thought spied you 6
lonesome and Industrious over here, an
felt that the encouragement OF m
criticism on your beautiful pictuI
might hurry up its completion, she r.
lustantly admitted that such proccet
ing would DO quito proper II Beatrit
accompanied me-. :,
Raymond Marshall winccd at Il
thrust at his Incidence. He brightent
ap, however. rs he said:
faNcvcr mind. All that will soon en-
md soon wo shall have no friend, cha
eron or duenna to mar the compleiene
81 happiness. Eth, my little lover :.
Edna's head had dropped on n
breast, and shc shook her head siowi
IF cnly--if only Miss Chandler wou
spcak
.Ycs, inter uptcd Raymond excite
ly;. III sho would only speak. Just To-
at it, Here we arr, two loving. ne
monious eouls. think the world
you, and you take pity on me. and no
to make mo famous some day BY ma
rying mo and securing the right to ORD
me to work. M; family are delight
with you. Ever prim Miss Chandl
Acknowledged IL would be cruel to pr
he. but--that dreadful mystery! s
~ cannot consent because she is not r
~ She cannot secure q relativ'
lnse she does not know q