The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-23
a Romantic Freak.

ian Atnericsn he proved to be entered the uace
With the air of one who felt himself the equal of
princes, anc, passing down disengaged clerk uui-
city asked tor the article he wanted and as soon as
produced, began to examine it, without taking the
least notice, much as bv glance of any one
else around him. The young lady alluded to- Emile
de Bonvle having scrntinized the stranger from the
moment he entered, and doubtless feeling little an
noged that he had much bestowed one glance
upon herself turned to the clerk before her, with
| naughty air, and mperiously inquired:
"Who is that gentleman?'
"Indeed, Mademoisele, have not the honor of
| knowing, 'rcplied the clerk, With bow.
''Bid you never see him before 2"
"Never, Mademoisellc."
"Can you fud out who he ia?"
~ will do my best for MademoselIe y
The young lady handed him her card, with gold
coin on it, aud merely added:
Let me hear from you soon"
"WelI what whim is this Emiliea" asked her com.
panioE, on their way back to her hotel
"Oh, only angling for husband, that's ALL" laughed
the gay girl
~ don't comprehend you"
-"Very few don
Are you going to try to set the stranger for hes
"Perhaps if he suita"
"What strange girl n
"Ihank you for the compliment Marie / hate
people chat at like everybody clse!"
The next day the jewelers. clerk appeared at tie
Glei OF te Baron Qe BcnFle, inquired ICf tle young
ady and handed back the coin with trembling hand
and low bow.
81 got permission and followed the stranger for
Mademoiselie he said; but he soon entered tailors
establishment and / suppose went out By another
door, for never saw him again"
"Dot!" cried the vexed Emile "put Up your mon
ey and go back to your business !"
Perhaps he's gentleman ionrReTman tailor, and
sleeps in his employers establishment" demurely sug
gested Marie, when Emile mentioned her dSappoint-
n1ent TO her friend.
'Bah beware how you provoke me = exclaimed
Emile, stamping her pretty little foot.
Two days after, Emile and her friend were drviug
cut on the Bois de Boulogne whenwho should theg
meet, pranclng sav on highmettled steed but the
very stranger himself As On the previous OCCASION
ne passed TIC ladies' without bestowing single glance
either Of them.
This is too provoking TO be entirely unnoticed and
unseen" cried Emile, pettishly "Pll not endure it!
The next time, the selfish fellow shall look at me at
least1"
Emile very pretty, and it does not please
pretty woman to find her charms disregarded BY any
one, for any cause
Jean, she said to the coachman ''turn and follow
this fellow who has just passed horseback and
when you get close to him, lend me your whip"
why, Emile, what are you going to do?" demand
ed her friend, in some alarm.
WAT and see - was the answer returned
The coachmaH obeyed bis orders and in less than
five minutes the gay equpage Of the Baron de Bonville
was rolling side by side with the praneng horse of the
stranger, who even then merely slight glance at
the ladies, and seemed to become Immediately alb
sOrbed in thoughts of his own Emile reached out q
pretty hand, and, with the coaclnan-s whip gave the
strangers horse smart cut across the tanks, The
beast being high.mettled, made sudden bound for
ward, nearly unseated his driver dashed away upon
run, and quickly of sight lost to view in one
of the sharp turuings Of the wood Emile was more !
vexed than ever.
There she pettishly exclaimed, sthe dot has gone
out Of sight, and didn't after III"
"You had better seize hold of him next time and
keep him prisoner till you compel him to look ad-
mrngIy upon your beautiful face !" said Marie with
gay laugh.
1--WE may meet again y returned the vexed beauty
with naughty toss Of her head; "f we do, th hen-'
"What :"
''Wait and see"
Il was week after this before the fair Emile got |
another sight Of the stranger who had made such
deep impression on her, and which doubtless was oH
ing the fact that lie had failed to notice her
than to any other one cause. The next time she
him, she and her friend riding horseback
in the Champs Elysees, and he was saunterng along |
On foot carelessly swit ging cane
"Ihere he isl" laughed Marie, pointing him out
"what now 2"
"Ea !" cried the other with flashing eyes; ais it so
Now, Marie, stay you back here with Jean, leave me
alone, and prepare yourself to me introduce my
self TO the stganger in very novel way!" |
She then started off briskly in direction leading
her away from the stranger and Of sight.
In ieT minutes she appeared again, coming from a
different direction, and her horse full run appa-
rentIy without control The beast made directly for
he stranger and it neared him. his fair rider ut
ered wild cry. The gentleman turned quickly, and
eeng, as he supposed the lady's horse running away
Bdhersef to all appearance terribly frightened and in
danger Of being thrown off and injured he mpusive-
made an effort to check the headway OF the animal
md possibly stop it. The next moment he was struck
ku0a al gna i,lv f1Ti i,Gro so
yroan, and tie horse dashed furiousy away
From the time tIac Marie her friend re-appear,
p to the moment of the catastrophe, scarcely a
minute; and natural did the whole affair appear
bat Notwithstanding she familiar with the mis-
hievous pranks of her friend and was really ex-
,ecting one in the present instance she for long
inc believed that what did happen was an accident,
esultiug from the failure Of another design.
Before Marie, with the servant jean could reach
Ter friend the stranger beside her bending
Ter, ana anAtuusy iHquriuE5 IT ste wac hurt.
Seriously, fear u replied Emile managing to OBJ
ain good view Of the strangers sympathizng and
handsome features through her baIf-closed eyes.
II really am very sorry for Mademoisee !" hesaid,
II very good French. "Shal [ have the honor to or
Ter carriage and see Mademoisee to her friends !"
IF Monsieur will be so kind" said Emile, partly
asng herself up and giving the handsome stranger
eaniug look OF great sweetness from her soft, asci
ating blue eyes. "If Monsieur will order fdcre
nd direct it to the Hotel de Bonvie, Rue Rivoi, my
ather, the Baron de Bonviie will remember tie act
With gratitude."
This, in one breath, told her nansc, residence and
landing, and made a favorable impression the
trauger, as she could see.
f'But thousand pardons, Monsieur, she exclaimed
if the recollection had just occurred to her; "Irode
ou down!--you must yourselfbe injured !"
"oh, nothing at all your ladyship my only regret
my awkwardness in not being able to stop your
orss and save YOU"
"Oh, Monsieur, reflect not against yourself! owe
ny life to you !" Al
At this moment Marie and the servant rode up, and
ther parties seeing the accident began to hurry up
rom all quarters also. Emile lad carried out one
art of Ter plan, in compelling the stranger to notice
er, AID she was now anxious to complete the other,
thoh was, to form better acquaintance and learn
omethng of his history.