The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-04-06
'Aimee's Temptation
BY Clio Stanley.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OW and musical sounded Il
r. ripple of the tiny brook as
/ ran riverward. past the win
wreathed door where Victt
Doty's young wife sat, with her BROW
haired baby in her arms.
long hour she had sat there, wit
the child on her knee. grooming oil
songs. which she had loved to sin
when gay-hearted girl, In her fatl
er's house, but which she had almos
forgotten In the work-day life whicl
had been hers for the last two years.
She had been very happy, though, II
her wild Western home. 1t had grown
to be for her the centre for all happ,
visions. all pleasant dreams, all peace
full days.
BY her CHEEKY fireside In the long
winter evenings and by the sweet
climbing roses out on her little porch
on the bright summer nights, she
had learned contentment; and she
often asked herself, in the quiet
autumn days which were spreading
golden glory over the earth, what
there had been In those old days half
as satisfying as the simple Joys Of
their home-life.
And then she would go In. and lay
the baby down in his cradle-bed, and
go about on light, quick feet, to pre-
pare their evening meal.
But on this brightest of bright days,
when she had been thinking with a
half-longing of the forms and faces
at home. there had dashed down the
road a gay cavalcade-fair ladies and
brave gentlemen. in holiday attire
and foremost among them was Madge
Wilder. careless, happy rider, intent
on the double duty of managing her
fiery pony and of seeing every beauti-
fui thing on either side of the road.
She was the first one to catch a
glimpse of the cottage standing back
among the trees, and of the sweet
picture framed In by the scarlet bloom
Of the autumn leaves.
"Oh, Claraw she said, wheeling her
pony so as to bring her to the side of
Miss Rodelle's horse, do you see that
exquisite picture in there? It's a poem
without words, and isn't 1t beautiful?"
Don't you know the face, MadgeY'
Surely it Gun be no one we know.
living here in this wildernessY
at is Aimee Dane"
With a cry of surprise, Madge Wild
er turned her pony's head and beck
oning to Ray Harcourt, the gentleman
nearest her. she rode directly toward
the cottage.
Aimee had come out on the steps and
watched them as they dismounted; but
only their side faces were toward her,
and the low branches of the trees
swept down between them, and SO she
really had no idea Of meeting old
friends, until Madge's clear voice rang
across the intervening space:
Aimee Dane, is 1t truly your
And then. like fire that springs
suddenly into blaze. up leaped the old |
love and friendship into vivid being |
again.
"Oh, Madgew she cried.
And the two friends had met, and |
their arms were round each other, and |
for one moment even baby was for
gotten.
But Madge introduced Mr.. Harcourt,
and that reminded Aimee that she too,
had a young gentleman to introduce;
and the brown-haired boy, so like his
father. with his big blue eyes and
smiling mouth. was brought out and
held up with mothers proud delight.
Before they were half through ad-
miring him, Victor Doty came in, and
when he found that her friends had
gone on, and that Madge was intend
ing to spend two or three months with
relative only five miles distant, he
said at once. with genial smile:
Why not stay with us little
while. Miss Wilder? Our cottage is
small one, but we always have room
'or friend; and am sure your pres
snce would cheer Aimee"
Aimee looked her entreaty, and Vic
or promised to send for Madge's
runk the next morning. II
Il cannot resist so warm an invita-
lon; so IL you will give me a nook at |
'our fireside for FIVE or six days, /
viii stay" said Madge.
Mr.. Harcourt agreed to take a note c
or her. that her trunk might be seady c
the morning. and galloped away
With little look Of regret at leaving
Ter behind.
"You won't need much here, Madee. o
the way of Dress" said Aimee. o
aughing. "Wc never see company. G
nd the dress you have on will do for G
II occasions" b
Madge smiled, but evidently thought C
iferently, for when her trunk came. p
here was an array of dainty dresses q
pread out for inspection that made n
.imee's brown eyes envious. a.
That night Madge put ON a soft-tint- n
d silk, the hue of wood-violets, and g
18th a delicate scarf dropping from u
er shoulders, and white lily (which o.
imee had broken for her from little u
use in the window. falling from her ~
mining hair, she looked like a queen Is
eside Aimee, in a plain chintz dress =
nd hair banded plainly back
Aimee felt the difference, and was
Ire Victor noticed 1t. too; and when a,
Iadge. with an exquisite voice. began b,
} sing. she did not wonder that he D,
as entranced. IL
"Dont you sing. Aimee" Madge q
'ksd. when she had sung . dossn n