Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-05-29


trembling when she tried to smile a
gay goodbye"
"And you have never seen her
SINGER"
"Oh, yes. for I came through the
city and stayed two weeks. But did
not call on Lila. A struggle was go
ing on In my mind between love and
pride. How could I, the proud, aris-
tocratic Claude Merrill, take for my
bride a little salesgirl from glove
counter? My proud relations would
have disowned me. My dead ancest.
ers would have turned in their graves.
so you came away?"
Yes. after two weeks, during which
I saw her daily, myself unseen. I was
at the cathedral when she sang. ]
was at the grand emporium where she
sold gloves. saw how sad and pale
the lovely face had grown. l heard the
accents Of despair in her sweet young
voice. My heart was breaking, too,
but could not relent from my cruel
pride. I came away at last, and made
no sign"
Poor Lila!" murmured the major.
II wonder II could find her in Bos.
ton now"
mo; I wrote there years ago In a
quiet way. Her aunt was dead. Lila
had left the city. No one knew where
she had gone"
"And that Is the end Of her little
story of love and sorrow. Poor Lila!"
and the majors head dropped on his
breast.
There was a strange smile on
Claude Merrill's face.
Now let me tell you about my call
on the Senator" he said.
as there anything more? You have
already said you would get the place
under the Government"
mot much more. But It was q
grand success, was 1t not? Major
Graves, you know that many a poor
devil has hung about the lobby of the
Capitol for years, and never got any
thing half so good as this for his
pains. though he lay in the very dust
at the Congressmen's feet Well, you
know my influence must have been
strong"
"Very-but how was it?"
They were in the very thick Of the
grand entertainment when | sent in
my card to Senator Lorton. His
flunkeys were incensed at my cheek,
but | insisted. was desperate with
suspense, and didn't care for a hun
dred legations. I'd been running af.
ter the Senator and writing to him for
a week. was determined to get q
hearing"
"And he saw your"
Eyes. He came to me in the library
He was very proud at first, and fan
cied half contemptuous. My blood be
ga INTO boil then. / saw him putting
some sort of restraint on himself, and
he said quietly that he had not
thought he could help me at all when
he first got my letter-the place was
actually promised to another man, and
he could not see just how he was go.
ing to make It up to the other fellow,
but lady of his household had inter- |
coded for me, and as he could refuse
her nothing, he had agreed to get me
the place.
Then he looked at me a little cold.
ly out of his splendid blue eyes, and
asked me IL l ever knew a Miss Lake
Miss Lila Lake.
Il told him yes, and that would
give the world to see her again.
Perhaps she can see you a few
l will go send her to YOU.
and you must thank her for the an.
pointment you will receives tomorrow
morning. 1t is all her doing and he
bowed himself out fthe library"
Major Graves threw down his cigar
N high excitement.
"Ah, now see how it will all turn
,ut!" he cried. LILA was the cover.
less, or perhaps even a relation. She
owed you still, she interceded for you.
Tou found her still young and lovely
lfter all, she could not be quite ont OF
Ter twenties yet-she forgave you, and
will yet be your BRIDE
Claude Merrill smiled q CHASTITY
mile, almost a sheer.
Major Graves, how you run on" he
said. abruptly. "But. yes, / found her
till young and lovely-indeed, more
beautiful than ever And she was
lressed like queen, in silks and laces
Ind diamonds, all snow-white. like a
bride. You remember how CAV ana
fright she was at the White Noun.
aims? She was just the same now
The years that have turned you and
ne gray, dear major, have only lent
Ter the added charm OF ripened bean.
y.
she came to the library alone, she
ave me her little white hand, all daz-
ling with jewels, and cried:
do you remember little Lila Lake?
have never forgotten you. AS soon
the Senator mentioned your name,
remembered you and spoke up for
GU. No, not one word Of thanks. I
we 1t to you for helping to make that
ummer In the mountains so bright and
Apply. And l wonder what became
dear Captain Graves? l liked him !,
cry much also, you know. And you
ever called when you came through
oston, as you promised, Mr.. Merrill?