The Opelousas courier., 1899-07-22

we will introduce them to our reader,
as capt. Rodolphe Hardee and wife.
q mama, just come ant
.ooh at Mr. towards face ; see it is tn.
nIss .ilhe l nave ever seen him blush
just imagine, he is going to be married
world" Az
My child" said Capt. Hardy laugh
lngly, you have no pity ON Gordan. Il.
quiet, and let Howard tell us about rIi.
tairy of the dell"
W old them of his trip and OF
I1orlta In conclusion, he asked Mrs
11ardee anh Irlxle to do all in thelt
power to make Rita feel at home in
the city ; also IT they would aid her and
preside over her arrangements, for they
iaa little time before them. Mrs, Har.
dee promised to 20 ont and Get the
motheiiess girls consent 10 spend
somtlme with Trixie, and il 1t would
SUIT all parties, she would be delighted
to have the wedding take place from her
residence. Howard thanked them all
tor their kindness and would consult
Rita and her father on the subject and
let them know. Guests then came 10
aud the subject was dropped and not
alluded to during Intervening. Several
days after Howard Sft for Ingleside
ami requested Gent.al Hastings to
come /" ms bachelor qgarters, as Mrs.
Hardee had asked Rita I'll her home. This
arrangement did not sur the old father
ut first, for he did not 1isi, TO be sepa-
rated ron Rita, but Howard promised
they would go over JveIy day to see
her. 'E,e furniture was sent to New
Orleans With their personal belonging !;
the poultry was sold to Mr.. Clements.
General and his daughter then went to
the pretty mound TO bid farewell to the
loved one sleeping so sweetiy Ivy the
waters of the placid lake.
CHAPTER TX
The Hardee family were a~nxiouslv
awaiting the arrival of Rita and father.
The Captain and General cordially
shook hands, having been in battles
together during the Civil War. The
ladies took charge of Rita, and the
motIerltss yi,l found herself at last
surrounded by those of her own sex.
Although just II. she was SD small in
statue, 80 slender and tiny in every
way, that Mrs. Hardec could not posi-
bly, believe she was of that age, and
told Howard no was going to marry a
mere child. General Tasting and Cor
don were The invited to dinner. Trixie
was enchanted with her new friend,
and soon they came down stairs. Lori
tn was blessed in Il costume of soft,
tender blue, her golden curls we're
caught up with blue ribbon, and she
wore II bunch Of M buds at her
waste. She was SO pretty, IN air of
seemed to prevail around
Poor Jack, how could he endure
the nII ali at InInp il, thu sun,a tI,rCo
with Rita, engaged | o another man, and
that man his best flirnd-one us dear
as Il brother.
Il shall bury my mysery. and do all
m ny power to have everything u
smoothly on until after the wedding;
then | must leave the city,
These were Jacks thoughts, but fate
had another part for him to play on the
stage of life He did leave the city, but
as lie had planned.
When Towards marriage had been
duly announced, the boys at The club
him, the mel he me- on the street
leased, and mnti.crs will, manageable
sne'red at his prospects of
4 union with IL mere nobody and the
girls themselves were mute with aston
Ishment. Howard was too happy to
notice anyone's discomfort, and never
detected jacks haggaid looks. Trixie
having a jolly tlmt she was amused
% see how old Mrs. Jelpie took thus
piece of news; pner old lady, she had
trying for several yeals to cap
.,;re the wealthy aud handsome Howard
for one of her three daughters. The
nisc!Ievous Trixie was always telling
srr snm-thing about The Geautlfal
elect. When Jack looked at
pretty little hand, he imagined
hat eaci, tiny sparkle OF her mag
diamond was t~oiIlenting him
n his misery. But LoiIta Hastings
too innocent 10 notice Jacks strange
towards her she wac not Scntl-
as most gi!iS at her W age are
It the present day, When Howard rls-
ted her with Gen. Hastings she would
I'M to her father first, aud with GENT
ne simplicity greet her future husband
,e told her one day he was almost jeal-
JUS nf her preference for fier father !; she
answered Il owe you very
much, but | love my papa better" How
he keep from idolIZing this pre-
'ious little sunbeam that had entered
lis life in such an extraordinary way !;
title did she dream that this man held
he scrap Of paper She had 81 thought
tssIy written, and it had been the in
,truiuent of bringing two Noble hearts
The beautiful bridal outfit
from Kentucky. Rita clapped
,er hands in giee aud T!ixie was de
Rita said to Mrs. Hardee:
do lot me try it on, oh, is it not love
y , look at the soft ~glimmering folds ~
RITA said Mrs. Hardee. this is a
magnificent tIoUsseau, but they say it is
cry nuiucky for ii bride to try on her
before The appointed day
please do not connect such dreadful
'mens and superstiti"us thoughts with
ny happiness. | will just try it on and
ii it fits we'll"
The watcl,tnl mothers eye had long
noticed Jacks love for The peer
tss and tlgDitied little creature whom
he had Learned to love SO ttnderly
knew her son to be strong. minded,
nd was proud Of his noble resolutions
nd strength Of his general character
Although powerless to aid him i'll this his
irst dark hour, she aeemed quite Sc
hut many were the prayers she
ent to the throne above in his behalf,
or he was her only sOn, and his future
Iappiness was her present s0iicltude.
The house had been beautifully decor
ted exteriorIy Jack was the brightest
{ the merry groups, helping in every
10 make his friends happiness
0npiete, and all members of the family
id everything in their power to make
his event the grandest OF the holiday
eason. Mrs. Har.iee's eldest daughter,
was expected from California,
there she had been since Der marriage to
he wealthy Hugh leighton, and she
you'd bs itsHne ta- meFrew. Rita was
by all, aud the simplicity Ut her
launer as she received praise and con-
ralnIaiions from all sides, plainly indi-
ated she was not to be- spoilt by them.