St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1899-01-14
1.--CoNTrNUEp.

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Darcie took the seat opposite Miss
Bingham, and devoted himself, some
what nervously, to serving her and
keeping her attention from her father.
Everybody is so kind in these ex-
traordinary places" she began. and her
voice betrayed her unconfessed anxiety,
through the forced society key she had
struck into nervously. "It's impossible
to believe all that we hear about the
trouble with the miners: they seem
such respectable men when you meet
them" She stopped in confusion, and
looked at Darcie helplessly. 4
Are you-excuse me-are you a
miner?"
sVery much so," Darcie answered,
dropping his eyes.
Her own glance fell, Land lighted upon
a brown. sinewy hand resting upon the
table--a hand that looked as If it might
have been familiar with golf-stick and
tennis racket, or with paddle and gun,
but scarcely showed "a long acquaint-
ahce with pick and barrow and drill.
Darcie Strengthened himself back in his
chair, and slipped the telltale member
into his pocket. His companion was too
observing by far.
And is he a miner2" she asked, indi-
eating Mike with her eyes.
Eyes, Miss Bingham"
sfThe same as yourself?"
"We don't inhabit the same person,
quite"
"Butyou do the same work 2"
"Yes; only Mike does rather more OF
1T than / do ~
Darcie's face wore such an odd, en-
barrassed, defensive expression that
Miss Bingham laughed outsloud, a sud-
den girIish peal that senttIght shiVers
through the young mans nerves; then,
as suddenly, her eyes brimmed up with
tears. She leaned q little toward him,
and asked confdingIy:
Where is my father n
"He is in bed. I assure you; he's quite
used up, you know"
She sighed. II believe can't eat any
supper; thanks, so much"
"oh, do--won't you try? know the
stuff's ahominable."
''No, it isn't at all; it's very nice. But
if you had anything to tell me, you
would tell me, wouldn't your"
Undoubtedly" Darcieassured her.
She did not believe him; but there
was nothing to be done but wait for the
facts to develop.
Dareie was not conscious how intense
was his observation Of the girl, while
his thoughts were busy with her situa-
tion, and his own rather mad plan for
taking her fathers place. How should
he put it before her? nthe meantime,
how lovely she wasl The wind had
burned her lips and cheeks, and,rough-
ened her fair hair, which made soft
nimbus, in the freight, around her
glowing face: the fire was in league
with the wind, and rain, weaving spells
of light and shadow to enhance the
charms of color and feminine ex-
preston in line and attitude. Darcie
must have looked what he could not
say. 5.5 as. Il ss8 sa
"You-you are not an American, are
you, Mr. Miss Bingham hesitated
questioningly.
"Darcie,r the presunptiye owner OF
that name subjoined.
"Mr. Darcie 2" the girl repeated. &
'sNo'1-he dwelt upon the word as il
trying to recall her question -stno; I'm
1 British acknowledgements so tender as ]
was last April," As.s ,stis
His accent pleased her very much.
though she would not have chosen to az
knowledge it.sfer lips parted in asmile
as she repeated his "last April" ," under
her breath, the broad ga" as broadly as
possible.
SIN rather glad, on the whole, that
you're not an American, she said. Eve
are all Americans. and it gets bit tire
some," she added, with another CLEAN.
"And besides. it helps to account for
things. a gsaa
Does it2', said Darcie. ssI'm very
glad if II does. Could yon inpart some
of your light to me r. III !.ssfa u s.ss. Y
Well. she hesitated, "if you had
beed an Americsn--with something