The Opelousas courier., 1902-11-01

I
before her, but she had not written ;
word. She sat gazing at 1t in abstract
ed fashion, apparently deep in thought
AT length, as If unable to arrive a
any decision, she rose with a sigh, ant
made her way across 4 the window
and looked out. 1t was cold, bright
afternoon, ed the WV showed q
stretch Of country denuded of every
! trace of green covering. In the dis
lance, some two miles away, the small
town Of Sonningford could be seen
the roofs of the houses glinting in the
dying rays Of the winter sun.
The girls eyes drifted to where a
down stretched high away. On the TOP
were some old STONE ruins, and, her
glance resting on these, thoughts of
some bygone hours spent there crowd.
ed back to her mind. AS she medi.
tated the tears came to her eyes.
1--WE weren't so far apart then" she
murmured; now, it is different"
She turned away from the window,
and caught up a newspaper from the
table. A CLEAN came into her eyes as
she looked at it.
1.-TWO columns and q half!r' she eX-
claimed, softly. She read a stray sen-
tence here and there. "Cheers-cheers
prolonged ministerial cheers!"
There was a tap at the door, and she
laid the paper down suddenly.
A servant entered the room.
"Mr. Mantell has called, miss!" she
announced.
ASK him to come in here, please"
the girl replied. She walked rapidly
to her writing table and shut the cover
of her case.
The next moment the door opened,
and Mr.. Mantell was shown in. He
was a kindly faced old man, with white
hair and bent shoulders. He had a
bundle Of newspapers under his arm,
which he put down on the table be-
fore holding out his hand to the girl.
AS she turned to greet him there was
a tiny flush on both her cheeks.
"Ah, my dear; l needn't ask how
you are!" he cried, as he clasped her
hand. your looks tell their own tale.
Fathers writing his sermon-mustn't
be disturbed on any account; of course
not! So we two will have our chat
together in here, eh?"
Margaret pulled forward a chair to-
ward the fire. The old man warmed
his hands at the blaze.
"And when did you get back?" she
asked.
This morning. Such a week, my
dear Margaret! And directly l re-
turned l felt l must come over and
tell you all about it."
She bent down and arranged the
cushion for him.
Very nice Of you," she said, in an
even tone. "And how did you leave
L%aurence"
He was in splendid condition." cried
the old man. And, of course, sent all
sorts Of kind messages to you"
The girl turned away for a moment.
"Ah, my dear" he went on, enthu-
s%iastically. Never have l been so
proud Of my boy as | have this week.
You would have been proud Of him,
too, Margaret" he added, looking
round at her fondly.
Yes" she assented; II am quite
proud of him. He halls from Son.
ningford, you known she added,
forcing a smile.
The old man was still looking at her.
YES" he said, musingly; Il wished
you had been with me. Somehow,
Margaret, you, Of all the others, are
the one l most like to talk to about
him. You never seem to tire of my
enthusiasm-you take as much interest
as / do. You are almost as a sister
to himv'
The girl was staring out of the win.
dow.
"Yes--hut your week, your splendid
week?" she said, suddenly.
"Ah, yes, my splendid weekw he
cried. rubbing his hands. HE took
me eyerywhere-seemed proud to in.
troduce me as his fatheri They talk
of him as the coming man, Margaret
the most promising of the young onesr'
That's what the newspapers say"
she put in.
And it's true-quite true!" he said,
eagerly. IF you could hear what the
people I have met this week think
of him! They say his brain is mar
the country sorely needs |
men with reasoning faculties deYel-
oped as his are!!.
The girl picked up the newspaper.
Il read the full account of his
speech" she said. Did you hear
him Z"
He nodded his head excitedly.
Yes; was In the gallery. 1t was
wonderful speech, my dear! And
the House, accustomed as 1t is to won
derful speeches, was fairly electrified.
A thrill went through me as I gazed
on his straight young figure, his
cleaning, his face lighted with
enthusiasm, the words coming out as
torrent, only pausing now and again
let the cheers die down, and 7 real
lzed that he was my SONNY only
SON." finished the old man, with a
Temble in his voice.
Margaret did not speak for a mo-
ment.
DO you think 1t silly of me to be
proud?' he asked, suddenly.
No, no" she said, hastily.
He pointed to the papers on the
table.
Ills photograph is in a lot of the
weekly papers. ! brought them for
to 500"