The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1907-09-06
INTO III
INNERMOST
BY ANNIE L. MUZzEY
IplCO
Copyright, by Joseph 3. Bowles.)


their new h6ase-a tent-like structure
IN close proximity 20 the Queen Anne
cottage OF Mrs. Laura Mortimer Law
renee, who had watched the develop
ment of the unpretentious building
with chagrin and disdain.
Curious, isn't it," she remarked to
her son Hugh, with a scornful eye on
the household goods unloading at her
neighbours door. Very curious that
poor people cannot have the sense to
perceive the folly of an attempt to set
themselves up as owners of real es-
tate, when the effort to do so results
In an ugly blot, offensive to the refined
and cultivated taste of the beholder.
Having returned the present eve
ming from a years absence abroad,
this was the young mans first OUTLOOK
on neighborhood changes.
why, really, do you know that I
think that a rather picturesque affair
on the whole?" he resumed, observing
critically, for the first time, the object
Of his mothers contemptuous remark.
Hugh leaned forward, his languid
eyes opening wide with sudden inter
est as a girl with a mist of sunny
hair blowing back against the broad
black brim of the hat framing her hap
by face, ran out and, catching some
article from the household furnishings
unladen at the door, disappeared like
q flash of light within.
"Ah!" he breathed. Who are these
people, mother?" he questioned, pres
emily, vainly waiting for a reappear-
ance of the figure which had attracted
his attention. Have you made thei
acquaintance"
II? No, indeed" was the dignified
response. Mrs. Thompson, however,
has volunteered to explain to me that
they are eminently respectable. The
father is a Woodworking, but imprac-
teal sort of q person, always dream
ing out inventions that never meet
with adoption: the eldest. and only
son is a carpenter aspiring to become
IN architect; one of the daughters Is
. wood carver, and the other a gradu-
ate OF the cooking school, and en-
ployed at very high prices by some OF
our first families to prepare fancy
dishes for special occasions, going to
their houses like q common servont.
Think of that! And the whole family
contributing, l am told, to the erection
: of this uncivilized structure, which
appears to be the first property they
have ever possessed"
"A laudable enterprise" remarked
Hugh Lawrence.
It was not long before Hugh was
on very sociable terms with his new
neighbors, whom, however, his mother
still ignored. In every member OF
4 the family he found a genial and In
teresting companion, though he was
unable to approach Miss Ethel in the
friendly relations already established
with the frank, brotherly Sibyl.
True, Ethel was entertaining and re
sI~onsive In a matter-of-fact imperson
ii way. but while the dark-hairet
eibyl would talk of herself as frank
II and freely as of any other interest
ing topic, Ethel would withdraw will
touch-me-not air. and remain icil.
uncommunicative whenever he ven
tured to breach the subject of per
oonal feelings and affairs.
Even more than by this repellan
quality Lawrence was piQued by tn
girl's failure to recognize him outsid'
her own house. Time and again h
had met her upon the street and sh
had given no token whatever OF az
ouaintanceship with him; though. pei
haps only the previous evening he ha
by her own fireside talked with her @
art. science. literature and kindre
subjects with which she was familiar
With q sympathetic interchange c
sentiment which had seemed to hir
to constitute a bond of friendship
This fact annoyed him more than h
felt was reasonable. He was vexe
With his own chagrin.
His inward resentment Of such rude
ness eliminated one day when. al
proaching his mothers house after
morning walk, he saw. just nearing
aide gate, the slight, erect figure {
Miss Ethel, attired in a plain stu
Gown, its straight length relieved by
white breadth of apron, and her sum
4 xendrils Of hair pushed under a d
mure cap that encircled her head M
"a exactly like the aureole of a sain
He attempted to speak to her, but sh
passed on into the servants entranc
with scarcely a perceptible bow.
Discounted, Lawrence wheeled an
walked around to his usual entrance
For what purpose is Miss Harlan
Re IL your kitchen?" he asked h
mother.
"Bless you! to make one OF her II
lmitable desserts. She is all the rag
1on't you know; and to be In fashio
~ must employ her when she wi
&~ondescend to favor us. though he
St1ces are as exquisite as her dishes
mother. the young lady is not I
enc here again In such capacity,
ld Hugh With authority. Don't argu
"a me-, mother" he added, forestal
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