Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-04-24
BARBARA'S
ESCAPE
BIZ HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

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Engaged, really and actually en-
gagged! 1t is a strange sort of feeling
and yet 1t isn't unpleasant"
Barbara Esmond stood in the mid
de OF the room, one slender hand
poised by its forefinger on the table
the other holding back the jetty
tresses from her pure, low brow. She
uas very beautiful. in dark, glitter.
mg style Of beauty, and in that ele-
CANT room she might have reminded
uue Of a pearl in its satin casket.
BIack-eyed and black-haired, with a
creamy skin, fine-grained as velvet,
and straight, delicately-chiseled fea-
lures, hers was an uncommon beau.
~. yet strangely fascinating.
Eighteen years old, and engaged to
be married! 1t was a new leaf in the
book of life for Barbara Esmond; a
sensation as novel as 1t was delight
ml
Il wish / had mother to go to. or
= loving. tender, elder sister," unused
Barbara, restlessly. 81 scarcely I'M
derstand my own feelings. l wonder
Il ! do love him as l should love the
man / intend to make my husband.
Husband" she added, with a little
shudder. "The word implies a great
deal. And Harry Milbrook is to be
my husband"
Barbara was like a newly-caged
bird. restless, f1uttering against the
invisible bars Of her prisoned exist.
snce. captured with her own tolls,
ret half disposed to break away into
solitude and independence once more.
Mr.. Henry Milbrook, however, was
troubled with no such vague ideas
He had won the heart of Miss Es-
nond, the heiress, and, what was of
rather more consequence to him, he
had won the right to share her wealth.
I'm fellow of talent" unused Mr..
Ailbrook, "and fellows of talent new
Or could endure to work like com.
mon cart horses. Therefore 1t fol-
lows that must have money; but,
possessing none OF my own, I must
marry the article. And, although
object to red hair and crooked spines.
/ am quite willing 10 accept the in
eumbrance of a beautiful girl along
With said cash."
That was the decidedly practicai
md unromantic manner in which Mr..
Mffbrook contemplated his approach
ing felicity! He kept his rhapsodies
u romance and soft, poetic whisper
mss for Barbara's ear alone, and she,
Nike any enthusiastic girl of eighteen.
believed him.
She told no one Of the precious Sc
cret enshrined in her heart; It would
have seemed almost like dissertation:
Int her lover was by no means so
delicate.
so you're to be married, Hall" said
Ar. Joseph Piercy. at the club.
Yes, I'm going to be married; to a
cool hundred thousand, too" answer
ed Mr.. Milbrook. rubbing his hands.
who is it?"
On, the lady, you mean?"
Yes, mean the lady"
It's old Esmond's daughter"
What. the star-eyed Barbara"
Exactly So"
Il congratulate you, old fellow"
Much obliged" answered Mr.. Mil
brook, indifferently pulling his mus
tache. Il fatter myself it's a pretty
good speculation for a fellow that
travels on his good looks alone"
Il wish she had a sister for me-"
observed Mr.. Piercy.
81 don't. ] can't afford to go halves
On the cash."
There was general laugh among
fhe youths of fashion in the clubroon,
af this scintillation Of wit, and Mr..
Nilbrook leisurely sauntered out.
Il promised she should have my
picture" thought Mr.. Harry, "and
suppose the cheapest place can have
4 done is at the gallery OF that poor
devil of an artist in Grove street.
guess I'll go around there"
II was hard for so exquis1tely got
ZEN up youth as Mr.. Milbrook to be
compelled to hide his light under the
bushel of so obscure street as that
coward which he now bent his foot
bteps. but economy was just at pres
INT somethin, Of An object with this
modern Apollo Of ours.
Signor Fe-nelli. the artist, was at
home, dark, courteous little Italian.
With a wife and seven small children,
md very glad he was to receive Mr..
Milbrooks order ION ivory. ! sup
pose. sir?"
Yes, suppose so. It's dreadfully
expensive" thought Harry. with a
erimace; but engaged girls must
lave their way, Of course"
As he sat waiting for Signor Fer.
ssIH to bring out some specimens OF
HI art. to select the most appropri-