The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-08-09

tractive than the pictures on the wall
or the statues in the inches. Seatin.
myself in a window, at length bega,
to allow my eyes to run carefully owe
such forms and faces as the stir ant
sway of the assembly exposed fully tt
my view. While 1 was thus employ
ed, DR.. Knabb came and sat down be-
side me.
"Tired as can be-" said he; 'I1
just rest q moment. What do yor
think of music 4? Capital, isn't it,"
eyes," I replied, "but l find the
company even more interesting thar
the'music."
give ordered in the refreshments,
he added, without noticing my remark
"and when every one has had his wine
l shall announce the browning feature
of my festival"
"What shall it be z" / asked, in an
Indifferent tone, for just then, through
a rift in the throng, l caught sight of q
most remarkable figure-a man, tall,
lank, rough; uncouth every way,
dressed in coarse homespun. His side
was toward me, and his profile was
darkly outlined against the dark pan
neling of the wall.
"Pll not tell you now" Knabb re-
piled. "Wait and see."
"Who is that fellow z" asked,
pointing, in such a way as not to at
tract attention, at the newly discover
ed backwoods figure.
"Bless me, don't know! Well, did
you everw CALCULATED the doctor, gaz-
ing in unfeigned establishment at the
fellow. Giles stranger to me, a.
why bless me! He's some country
boon-a boor! How could lie have
got in9 See how he stares about
S'pose he's heard the music and stray
gled in. I'm sure did not invite him.
But what is that he's holding under
his arm 2"
Before I could think of answering
this abrupt inquiry, the walters came
in, bearing great servers, with wine
and lemon juice sparkling in great cut
glass decaDters. And now the cups
clashed in the old style. The crowd
swayed back and forth, but I main
tanned my seat in the window. The
doctor got up and went among his
guests, l watching the gentleman pour
wine and lemonade for the ladies. ]
saw the ruby spirit Of the grape flash
and foam round the lips an angel might
covet, for much rare beauty was there,
and the bearded men drank freely, too,
laughing like boys, and looking love
into SOULFUL eyes. Meantime, the
wind sang on in the top of the tall pine,
and plainly enough 1 heard the low,
smashing roar of the ocean.
Occasionally I got a glimpse of the
rough stranger, staggering leisurely
about among the guests, carrying un-
der his arm what appeared to be bun
die of old clothes. Every one was so
busy with his wine and immediate
companions, that few persons seemed
to be aware of the presence of this
queer, unkempt estray, thus wander
ing in their midst.
Finally my eyes fixed themselves in
a steady, enraptured stare on the face
of little girl, of about twelve years OF
age, who stood facing nae, and engaged
in animated conversation with young
man. Hers was the sweetest, the
most divinely innocent, the most mirth-
full and yet the most earnest face ever
saw. Her beauty was strictly child
ish, in it's tender grace of outline, while
yet the swelling bust and rounded
limbs, as shown through the clinging
folds of her dress, limited of approach
ing maturity. Her eyes were large,
blue and expressive beyond descrip-
ton, her checks were full, pink and
heathful, her nose straight and deli
cate, her forehead low and broad, he,
chin dimpled playfully, her mouth al
ways just parting with smile, so that
between the cherry red lips flashed he,
white, even teeth. All round her face
breaking into ripples of shining curls,
fell a flood of yellow hair.
"Little old witch, she's just es sweet
es pie" muttered a not unpleasant
voice at my elbow.
Iturned and saw, sitting beside me
the rough stranger, started nervous
ly, 1 know not why. Perhaps It wal
because saw in that great rugged face
something indicative of enormous
strength whether physical or mental
or both combined, it would have beer
hard to say. His deep-set gray eyeI
were fixed On the beautiful young cir
with look Of intense, tender longing
and I could hear his great hear
humping.
just then the voice of DR.. Knabb at
tracted my attention and I discovered
him standing on the stage with tina
glorious girl beside him. Instant,
the crowded house became as silent Al
a church.