The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-01-29

at the bank, was it accident that set him
talking of Eccleston to him ? It was care
full talk, not too interested but through
it he discovered what he wanted to know
that John Eccleston was invaluable as
reliable clerk, but that Warde and Sido
could not afford to send another man to
Europe, Warde himself being already
there.
He'd make an excellent buyer; for he
has, besides an artist taste, a knowlede of
the wants Of the people. I wish we could
afford to send him: but we are new
house, you know, and our capital isn't
large" communicated Sido.
Steyner went home with ''bee in his
bonnet" "Tom win do it." he said to
himself, "on my suggestion, and III take
the responsibility. It's the very thing"
Tom was his brother-in-law-an ex-
tensive importer Of china, SO it is easy to
see where the bee buzzed ,d.l ~ 81,
He was right His brother-in-law was
in need Of good buyer, and had such
ample confidence in Clarke that he
caught gladly at the suggestion. Stey-
ner went home triumphant dropping q
note on his way to John Eccleston-just
a simple request that he would call as he
went up from the Office that night =
That night was the night before Thanks
giving. Every night for a week, John
had walked through the gay and busy
crowds, noting the holiday merriment and
preparations with q fierce ache at his
heart Once, SO little while ago, he could
have spread brilliant feast, and vel
coined host of brilliant friends Once
he could have ransacked the splendid
shops for his Aice's birthday and now
he was plodding home without a token,
tired and shabby man. He had turned
the corner, and was right upon the bright
bay-window befo1e he thought Of his en-
gagement
A soft light shone from the window,
and Within there was CLINT Of gliding,
and the glow and warmth of many pic
lures, and in the midst of all he saw
Clarke Steyner sitting. gazing idly into
the fire, full Of careless, happy ease. What
q contrast it offered to the dim little
rooms and to the dreary state he daily
kept And entering, he could not quite
conceal beneath that debonair manner
the bitter pain he felt.
Steyner, like all persons of delicate SEN
sibilties, found it difficult to approach
this matter, where he himself was the ap-
parent conferrer of favor. So he put it
off by q gracious little hustle of hospital-
ty. He touched a bell, and there appear
ed such wine as Eccleston had not tasted
since those '1ong Italian days" And sip
ping slowly that delicate, airy sparkle, he
was led on into that region of enchant-
ment where Art alone reigns by the skill
full suggestions of his host. Either the
delicate influence of the wine, or the mag
netism of his companion, or it may be
both together, carried him so far away
from the present ills and narrowness Of
his lot that he gave himself up fully to
the charm, and stood revealed to Steyner
at his full measurement of manly breadth
and culture. How rich that hour was
With what gentle, gracious gayety he
talked of some things with what tender
reverence Of others, and accompanied al
ways with an appreciation as rare as it
was genial and delighted But the hour
passed; neighboring clock struck, and
recalled the present The old pain re-
turned, and its shadow stole into his face.
The wine had lost it, favor, the fire no
llonger sent ont warmth and radiance ;
there was the chill Of . cold reality about
every thing. What right had he to be
sitting here summing himself in an atmos-
phere of ease and indulgencef What
right, while in the little lonely house his
Alice waited for himf he rose with q
sigh that was half q shudder; and it was
then that Steyner began to speak. Just
| n few xo,rds. hut of what importl-a few