Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-01-24

AAlcI luo HISl lCW AOhtho oN'N
never a thought to the grandsire.
though 'twould be lying If l denied
that he was singularly handsome.
The girl gazed into her face with
disconcerting steadiness. MY dearest
grandmother" she said, without a ire
NOR, because it pleased you to play
at the love game is no reason why
should mimic you. | have known Mr..
Eyre for many years and not day
but my love for him has grown strong
er and more worthy"
Never before had the dowager been
so confronted. Her somewhat vivid
color faded; her lips met closely; her
eyes snapped with vexation.
"Your friendship with Mr., Eyre is
a matter of no consideration" she
said. 1T is best, seeing that you are
sent here for a purpose, to make you
acquainted with that purpose. My
good son, your father, relies upon me
to bring you to a proper state of mind
for the reception of Lord Allithwaite's
formal courtship."
The effect of this plain speaking was
contrary to the dowager's expectation.
Lady Elizabeth, smiling more winning
ly than ever, stopped to a bush OF
moss roses and gathered one flower.
1--WE cannot grow them so we'll at
home" she said. above all lovely
things | love the moss rose. There's
a pungency in its sweetness. How or
why l know not, but 1t always reminds
me of a ravine in pleasaunce-a ra-
vine with little waterfall"
Lady Heathylees seemed to swell
out like the frog in the fable. DID
you hear me, mistress?' she cried.
81 heard you. madam" said Lady
Elizabeth; ''but as l considered what
you said to be unworthy of you |
thought best to let it pass without re-
mark. But, since you insist, l in all
humility decline to allow my state OF
mind to be changed. l have no doubt
that my father has also requested you
to break my spirit; but that, madam,
you will find impossible OF perform
ance. Once and for all I-most defer
entially-declare that / will not marry
the man of my fathers choice-that
will be wife to none same him | love!
She united the riband of her hood
and with steady fingers placed the rose
amidst the laces of her bosom. The old
lady's agitation was so profound that
for full minute she could not utter
word.
Five daughters and 16 granddaugh-
tiers have / married with ease" she
said harshly, land now when my labors
should be over | begin to find thorns
under my feet. You are the first one
of your breed who has dared to pit her
self against me. Aye, child, regard
yourself as a sparrow-regard me as
an eagle,"
Madam, the sparrow is beneath the
eagles notice. According to the his
tory of birds, the owls the sparrow's
enemy"
"A nimble tongues detestable in
maid-it betokens shrew's making"
But lately" said Elizabeth, Il heard
my father say to my mother that there
was but one shrew in the world, and
that each husband had her to wife. Not
for all the wealth of the Indies would
be different from my sex!"
Lady Heathylees, in her bewilder-
ment, struck her forehead. Il beg you
to remember that pertness from child
of your age to lady of mine is unbe-
coming In the extreme. In my girl
hood things we're vastly different.
"Once more l most humbly ask your
pardon" returned Lady Elizabeth.
There's nobody in the world for whom
l have greater admiration than for
you. Sometimes | even do myself the
honor of believing that I bear some
to what you were at my
age. And if be right, why sure none
could ever have thwarted you-as
none'll ever thwart me-"
The dowager let fall both stick and
fan, exposing her palms in an amaze
ment that was not altogether affected.
by the godsl" she cried. you
should have been lad and all your
brothers should have been wenches.
You've red blood in your veins-they've
nought thicker than whey. None the
less, my dear one, you'll have no say
in the matter. One of the penalties
insist upon is sampler with the
words, How beautiful is Obedience.'"
ITO please you, my revered grand
mother, I'll work score Of samplers"
"I'll have none of 'em. 1t shall be
for your husband"
He'll have my obedience without
the sampler, madam. He'll care nought
for a piece of needlework."
"And you shall embroider his arms.
II remember Alright he comes of Plan
tagenet stock"
NAY, surely-and he has never told
me-"
"A pedigree almost without COMPARE
son in all England. Every alliance,
in my recollection, made to uphold the
dignity. The last marchioness-"
Lady Elizabeth lifted her hands to
her face and after a brief struggle
began to laugh so brightly that when
the first frowns had disappeared her
grandmother was Obliged to join in.
And, strange to relate, the old wom-
ans laughter was now almost as full
of sweet music as the girls.
THE last marchionessl The last
gasped Lady Elizabeth.
"Oh, grandmother. the humor of