The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-03-05
with Its fascinating hostess-not to speak
OF Its proximity to place called the

| VI ts proAlmlJy TO pace called I'll
IHvflion--"
"Oh, as for that. you are quite mistal
EN-" hastily interposed Accrington. h
bright eyes emitting a flash which migl
we'll have intimidated the audacior
ies:er: al am scarcely fit guest fc
ladies' silken boudOirs; shall with a
ny heart accept your kindness, admira
Tor few days-thanking you all th
same, squire, for your hospitable offer.
This matter arranged, the gentleme
Joined the rest of the company, VIII
were now strolling about the long suit
of reception rooms.
Auberon's gifts were arranged in
pretty little cabinet-chamber, Brilliant
Illuminated and decked with flowers
Conspicuous among them was Co!one
Accrfngton's offering.
| This was curious specimen Of Japan
| csc art-a small das or stand, gold
lacquered and pear-inlaid, supported b,
beetling crag with ocean waves foam
ing around its base, wrought in glisten
ing silver; and on the topmost pinnacle
OF the crag poised stormy petrol GU
out OF mother-of- pearl, holding in Its
claws rock-crystal ball as large as an
apple, and polished to such splendid
ulster that the eye could scarce endure
to gaze upon 1t. A crystal drawer in
the face of the stand held handful OF
these same rock crystals, varying in size
from pea to a pigeons egg, as round
and lucid as drops of dew. An open fan
OF elaborate Japanese design and largest
size was set up behind the silver rock,
with an explanation of the whole work
written upon it in golden fluid by a
priest of Bhuddist temple; for the
rock-crystal occupies high ground in
Japanese mythology.
AS Crecy, Accrington and the others
approached, they found Mrs. Crecy, with
her SON Auberon and Loveday Della
mere, standing before it lost in admiring
wonder.
@Who could have sent such a superb
gift?" Loveday was exclaiming. at
must have been a great trave er, for
where could he have picked up such a
curio except in Japan? 1t must have
been mystic, for who else would have
thought OF presenting to Auberon a
number OF mems souls to exc out his
own? Traveler-mystic-an million
aire; who is all that, Mrs Crecy?"
Mrs. Crecy did not answer; she looked
startled Auberon was
busy deciphering the inscription on the
face, which, being written in japanese
Court English, was somewhat obscure.
Accrington Joined the group, q faint
glow on his tawny che X.
"Miss Dellamere has not quite for
cotton Colonel Accrington, who used to
teach her how to manage her fiery pony
i've years ago?" said he, with softest,
yentlest courtesy.
She started, this pure-hearted, limo.
,ent girl, who knew no evil, and raised |
her winsome eyes fearlessly to his, won
iering at the earneStnesS she saw there |
Gravely and kindly she gave him her |
land-he was in no hurry to relinquish |
t. Colonel Accrngton was feeling that.
much as he had loved in the past, he had |
ever met woman whom to love would |
e such triumph over the past, with |
III its failure and remorse. This girl |
7as pure, joyous, and free; to win her
1hole love-what unmixed felicity And
ow weary he was of remorse and of
indictive anger! For five years griev-
us memory had isolated his heart from
Tomen-the barrier was removed when
g met this radiant Loyeday's winsome
yes and held her dainty hand.
81 shall marry this GIRL" he swore in
Is heart: and the fixed gaze OF his black
yes awoke her feminine consciousness
Or the first time. She would think of
i'm again.
She recalled his former visit to Sal
'rd rather obviously; she owned that
lie used to feel profound awe toward
i'm in those days, when he rode over
ON Inchcape Fosse to walk with her
a m m nd ho in, hn |
leir home. She was then a needless
brit OF twelve, bound up in her play
ate Auberon, and very shy Of the GAL
mt officer who so often strobe by with
1T glance at her.
sand you, Monsieur Auberon; have
~ any remembrance of me?" smiled
ccrington, with unconscious condescen-
on.
Auberon had little to say, his mild
es were searching out tho spirit of
is dark being very seriously; he never
1t more unresponsive.
Mrs Crecy drew attention 30 the for ,
gn bit of virtu before which they were
anding.
"Am / mistaken in guessing Co onel {
,crington to be tho donor of this mag :
ficent gift?" demanded she, haughtily. !;
He bowed with a humble and depre-
ting air.
Madam, may you never know the
of the exile" said he, in q
d, mournful tones, which impressed I;
'veday like some heart touching minor
:. There Is no sorrow 50 subduing,
lingering. Then one learns the mean
3 OF sleepless nights, when the whole
art turns back to England with mex !.
punishable regret, when the faces we :.
VIC left behind US hover forever before ;,
r eyes, and the faults-the omissions =
may have been guilty of-are re- :.
nted OF with strong crying and tears.
such mood entered q Bhuddist .,
nple In Japan, and saw these flawless "
IstalS-they called them Jewels. 'Tis o
vild conceit; may rehearse 1t to these :,
ldren?" ',
Who could res st him? His eyes were =
mid, his air was gentle and depress ID; RI
nothing coull be more wistfully "
eet than the glance and the tone with =,
ich he named them children" -
'irs. Crecy, utterly unimpressed, how =,
n, gave him the permission he sought -
an impatient wave of the hand. ~,
1t is part Of the Japanese religion" y,
d Accrington, delighted with the op- H.
'tunity OF posing before all Stafford as =,
deeply interesting friend of the pop- n
r Mrs. Crecy, "to believe that a good ~
ms spirit passes In death into a rock =,
stal, the comparative purity of which -
'ends upon the sanctity of the mans h;
Thus, when a saint dies, and his =,
4