The Opelousas courier., 1899-07-22
The Destiny of a Southern Girl.
tcontinued from paSe two.1
.sck nut his gun down and walked on

t;n-toe aF0unu ti!e oilat patch, OUT saw
nnapthing on that side. Howard still witt
s,n in hand, had not moved a muscle
~ Seemed petlitied. Jack kept walking
% vi Y he reached the second briar- bush
~ Suddenly stopped. 80! Howard
70 ns nuick, my God, we have killed
cCansral Hastings daughter They
v.;ssd the unconscious girl no signs
fife were visible in the pallid features
alJaward. run to the house for her ia
.,.ar while battle her face and pom
snne brandy down her throat, do. How
I'D y he said excitedly. Young Gordon
aaau to where he imagined the direction
~ the house was. Jack was left alone
nth the apparently ~lifeless girl. go
II Cad which one OF us killed her ? how
oale, but SO beautiful can it be pos
a;hls for a man Ia love at first sight.
M no. my feelings of pity and remorse.'
Ha worked steadily-rnhhed her hands,
nnured some brandy between the blood
he Inns her head had been resting on
lacks coat he had folded it up, made
same sort of Il cushion and went for
water. Taking his handkerchief, he
hathed her face with crystal water from
: little brook neal by. At last he was
rewarded by seeing her eye-lasles
aniyer, aud the deep blue eyes were
opened.
strike you are you hurt niuchP' Her
ewes closed again, and a few moments
afterwards were re-opened.
II am so sorry" said Jack. ooh, but
Ithaught you were dead at first"
mo. sir, | am not hurt, but all that
shot passed so near me, | gnes |
tainted from the shock"
Howard and General Hastings came
Lurriedly up to them.
Rita, my darling child, what has
happened to you =? | am overjoyed to
find you still alive
aMy own dear Papa. | only tainted
from fright yonr little daughter is
eoing to stay with You always"
She gently and lovingly kissed him.
II had come out to find my pet tur-
KEY nest and just traced her to that
briar bush, had frightened the par
tridges and the gentlemen fired"
Gen. Hastings looked sadly at them.
"Yeung men, let this be IL lesson for
each-snpposing You had murdered my
ciiId-do you botl. realize her narrow
escape 7"
yes sir, We do" answered Jack. ut
was certainly il strong coincidence, but
Ihad no idea she would eve breathe
again"
..AIl is well that ends WE'LL as nv
up to the house and Test awhile"
many thanks, let lis get our guns
and We will accompany yon home with
pleasure" The boys walked off in the
direction of their guns
"N0w, Jack her name is Rita-you are
off again ; by George, she is pretty
Il say. Howard, | am in owe with
that girl, and at first sight, too don't
stand in my way"
"Yon know have the name of being
aWoman- hater in New Orleans ; start
ont and win this beautiful girl"
They then joined the Hastings. who
we're still waiting for them, and the
four then walked To the house.
'Came in young men. aud welcome.
but | have not the honor OF know
ing who my visitors are"
81 am Jack Har,lte aud my friend
here is Howard Gordon. We left New
Orleans on IL hunting tour. and came
very near killing a beautiful girl this
morning"
Jack, you speak lightly If what
might have been IL very serious acct
dent.n
"DoB't yam know | am only j,klng !; |
fUBuist JUS d. SosBh N"' - ava hS
being tue murderer uf this young lady"
"Rita," said her father, get some re-
fleshments for The bays Lo,ita left
the roam only too glad to get away
from Jacks watcfIfni eyes. She soon
returned. however, tn the sitting room
with some milk and %doHghnuts after
placing the tray Oh the little tabI-, she
served her guests.
Pardon our sim pilcity," the old Gen-
seral resumed, but it Is M sin to be
poor my daughter and self are alone
I'M the world. was onc Il very
wealthy man, but the war has leveled
my fortune trouble came thick aud
last !; my first born, "A beautiful boy Of
two years, was drowned Mt Bay st.
Louis ; my dear little Wilmer was SD
Intelligent for his age. We were visit
aing a friend there one summer; his
body was never. recovered. Another
boy came, but soon died OF yellow fe-
yer, and then Il little brown-eyed girl
sson followed. Yellow fever is II tci-
ribie disease. just before our fourth
child came We moved to this beautiful
spot three years after, this precious
child came; her mother died at cnn-
sumption. Had it not been for Rita, |
gu6ss | would have followed my be
lavad wife aud have been laid by her
side ere this. but Providence sent me
child to cheer my aged years; young
NEIL, had you has taken her life this
morning, would have undoubtedly
with her"
Papa, why do Son speak so sadly !
lake this glass of sweet, rich milk and
BIZ thankful that | am with you yet"
The boys were deeply touched by the
lecitni OF the old Generals history.
LOrita took the tray to the dining room
Rhen she returned, her father and visit
had gone tn the pouitry-yard. She
sat down perfectly exhausted; she
how near death had been to
Aer that day. Meanwhile the General
Kas showing our young friends his fur-
keys.
II shipped City at these Tuesday fm
Ihe Knights Ut Ilon0,'s banquet, all
; they were fine ones loo, ana
brought good prices"
Pardon me, sir, but was the Dill set
f0r these turkeys 7"
fes. | received the full amount OF
8fs25 apiece"
The yaang men soon tank their de-
wi, hout returning to the house
Mr.. Clements residence, they
vent directly TO their room.
CHAPTER VII.
What have vi TO say i'll behalf of
thi. mornings adj entu,e." asked Jack.
cannot tell y0, but | know that
~ q The author this paetry. When
fhlnk IF how n n we came To shoot
iak that girl, it makes me ,remble.
~, ynu honestly, neve felt SO ner-
Howard. do ynn knew y0n have