The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-10-20
THE MIST AK E..
By HoRrESslA.

assg By HoRTENslA.
{ From the New Orleans Sunday Times.
/ "My dear Miss Beverly, you are late
almost feared that you would not
come. l am grateful to you for bring.
ing my little friend Mr.. Brandon"
Maud Stanley slightly shrugged hel
shoulders in their lace drapery, and
wondered at Mrs Lacour's taste in in
viting Creature" in a muslin dress
to her magnificent entertainments.
Mrs Lacour, however, did not shame
to acknowledge Cora Beverly as her
friend in the midst of her aristocratic
guests, and few moments later Cora
was talking pleasantly to lady and
gentleman to whom her hostess had
introduced her, Mr.. C. and his beauti-
full little wife, who had just arrived
from Savannah Ga. Both were ac-
knowledge as the ton when they came,
and were sought after assiduonsly by
the leaders of the fashion. And now
it aroused the attention Of the whole
room, to see Cora Beverly eonversing
with them with such perfect case. Nj
c. was a man Of grand capacity, and
was soon perfectly delighted with the
cultivation and fuency with the bril-
liant intellect and sparkling converse
ton Of his new friend. Mrs Lacour
stood by and listened with pleased at
tention. VIM Brandon joined them,
and soon one after another was added
until quite a group had gathered to
hear the animated conversations be-
tween the first man of the city and
'.that creature whose right to enter
the drawing-room Of Mrs Lacour had
been questioned.
Henri Marvin was alone left Of all
Miss SANKEY'S suite. Much chagrined,
and raging silently, the young lady ac-
cepted Marvin's invitationto play, and
the group at the other end Of the room
was disturbed by the brilliant sonata
which she was dashing OF with jcweied
fingers, white ~ the ivory Keys they
pressed. Marvin leaned over the piano
and looked sentimental tenderness in
to her shallow, bright eyes, and ,ad-
mired the bloom in her cheek, which
seemed to be truly unfaling, tCleton's
"Bloom Of Roses,n does not come and
go in emotion, believe,) and listened
to the light, expressionless aria, think
ing it celestial music, until every one
in the room had come to the piano
Cora with the others. Cora Beverly
could scarcely repress smile 1t the
triumphant glance Miss Stanley threw
toward her, but she did repress it, and
watched the white fingers flying over
the keys quite calmly, The sonata
was finished; then Mrs Lacour intro
duced Miss Beverly to the musician.
81 rejoice to become acquainted with
Miss Beverly, as it gives me an oppor-
tunity Of asking her to play-what /
nave been longing to do al the even
ing. Now, don't refuse, Miss Bever-
ly.n a II
a Miss Beverly had not the least idea
Of refusing, for she knew that Miss
Stanley was listening eagerly for her
to plead inability. She sat down II
the piano, and asked:
"What shall play, Miss Stanley I
You viii choose for me-" 70 h'ii'~
The stbloom of roses" IN Mand's
check grew considerably deeper, but
she rallied; and asked rather, satirical-
". a8e EF gsead 3ssw Il II
'scan't you give ne something from
sFausti" ,s4.,s;.,l3. -.
Miss Beverly acquiesced, and played
one Of the most difficult selections from
the opera Of "Fanst.n Miss stanley bi,
her lips until they were white Il bel
anger at tho low muIrmuf u applause
which ran around the group. Ever
Marvin forgot himself, % Sar a. TO a.
claim: m iii svfsal.s, ,.,.,--rysx afi..
nThst il PERFECTLY exauisite!s a.,i.
! Such taste / Miss Stanley turned
away in sovereign contempt Of al
yonng ladies In muslin dresses whs