The Opelousas courier., 1899-07-22

: mony, for he, too, may turn out to b,
) my brother also oh, do not, for | hav,
enough for the present.
General Hastings and Jack walked
IN The room the youngest was perfect
ly calm an expression of contentmenI
canned from his kind and benign
he said
Must the old Howard disappear
the name of our childhood, and must
congratulate you o not -
"Congratulatc me most assurredly
for this piece of blessed good news
While they were speaking Jack wa:
trying by Il herculian effort to contro
himself before he could trust his voice
to Rita. When he did turn to her, he
was aStOnlShed to see the marked
change that had taken place within 4
few hours she seemed To have lived
over years, and an expression of firm
resolve wa Hs>snptd in every feature
And v ii, M!ssff1a>tlngs, | suppose
You a,m nj the same OPINION
"t. course | am, and my gratitude
III. oil, Mr.. llhldtr. = great for saVIn
nj, few llioughtit>> lines written III
pm Idle h"ur.~t-
She then turne,!3 to her father aud
l'i'l fiiiIi ia Siit iat ttit ttIt liSlit
before the supper.
This, then, my cluId, led Wilmer to
u.s."
Jack then SAID:
Mama told me when | left 20 extend
an invitation to all to be our guests an
til after the holidays. TtIyle is anX-
tously waiting for Miss Rita"
CHAPTER XII.
AS Jack WAS sent to IA daily paper,
Gen. Hastings took Rita to Mrs. Iiar-
| dre's, Wilmer Hastings had purchased
solne handsome presents for the l,nil-
days, but Rita's was thoughttully
changed. They had Il merry Christmas
at Capt. Haidee's residence the sub
ject of the wedding was d%elIcately
dropped. Mr.. Leighton was so jolly,
that for II time, all guests forgot the
great change one day had brought
forth. 1t was decided that they would
take IA trip to California in tho spring.
New Years Day Leighton was sudden
ly called home on important business.
he wanted his wife to remain in New
Orleans until after the Carnival, and
the party would accompany her home
but she told dear old Hugh that he
could not leave her behind. Two
months after they all Joined Estelle and
Hugh in California. Wilmer was so
! proud of his beautiful sister she was
petite in every way. Jack never tried
to conceal his love for her now she on
the contrary avoided him Il great de-, !.
A few days after they reached Mr..
Leighton's palatial home, Jack asked
Rita to marry him; she kindly but
firmly refused the poor boy was
panied and discouraged, but Wilmer
told him not to give up the game. Jack
then told him OF his deep love for the
girl since their accidental meeting in the
pasture. Wilmer was surprised and
said:
Why did you not try to win her
then 2"
ooh no, | saw you were as much in
love with her yourself; | was infatua-
ted with her angelic face so, | thought
| would leave New Orleans Immediate
ly after your wedding"
MY noble friend, how could you en-
dure the ordeal and be SO cheerful dur
ing her stay at your home aud u pre-
partitions going on Y
because 1t was for our happiness,
Wilmer, and | was partly prepaid for
the sacrifice | had made. She has now
rejected me, and she would have done
the same at first
Cheer up. Old boy. it everything
goes my way we will change sisters
very on.
Jack heightened at Winners ar
Engagement he wouid be only too hap
by tn comply, amt promised him Tx
IL, II II were IN his power.
Every day IL different amusement,
and some new attraction was on the
programme. One morning. Jack walked
INTO the breakfast room and announced
his intention OF leaving that day for
New Orleans. San francisco did not
agree with him, he said he looked
thinner than when lie anne All eyes
were turned upon him ut such startling
news. R!ta's head was bent !; ste
seemsa occupied with her breakfast
plate; she alone knew why Jack was
leaving for home that day. Winners
keen eyes seemed to pierce his sisters
soul. and he Immediately guessed the
truth. They all tried TO persuade Jack
to remain, but to no avail. After
breakfast Wilmer called Rita to him,
and asked her the reason Jack was
leaving
"Ob, Wilmer, Jack again addressed
mt last night when we were on the
balcony. | could not make IL second
engagement, Oh no, Devef ; my nvst was
broken up u SUDDENLY
Rita, to please me you will try to DE
kinder To jack
Tina, day before Jacks train was due,
Winners gageme to TriXle was IN
uounced to the entire family, and at
last Jacks consent was gained he
would remain IL few days longer. SO as
to be present at the patty MIR. II Mrs.
Leighton gave to celebrate the engage
of her sister aud Wilmer Hast
ings. Mrs. Leighton had :ordered the
girls dresses. Rita's was light blue
silk trimmed with silver gauze !; 1t was
difficult to decide who should be queen
of the ball. Rita heard of this and
went up to TIixie and salnted her as
the ~..uneen' and bride elect. That
night when Rita was alone in her room.
she threw herself across her bed think
of the past and of Engleslde Farm
House. how the few lines she had writ
ten in her little room one night, had
br, ught such an extraordinary change
in her life. She at last feel asleep, still
i'm her bail costume, when suddenly
she was awakened by "a light IN the
ROOM. She did not scream or move,
but saw Il dark form leaning over her
case to control herself she
but how long was this to last 7
The ma took out several pieces of jew
el,y, a little diamond pin, the only relic
Of her unknown brother, her watch,
Winners GLITCH, God! how could she
the strain mon her nerves. lit