The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-23

my feet in an agony of mute delight
STOPPING down I unclasped the chain
and taking him by the collar I led hin
to the little back door. mi. -oau az
"Lie down, Gar" The intelligent
animal obsyed, his dark form being to
tally invisible against the dusky greer
Of the sward, and in the dense shadow O
the shaded walk. It was q moonlesi
night, though perfectly clear one /; and
the faint rays of the stars lent but little
light beneath the trees. Vi, ',royqd rr,
"You must not stir, sir. Lie there and
wait and watch" And giving him ont
of my glove to guard as an additional
precaution against his stirring, Iopened
the door (having as it CHANGED q dupli.
cate key closed it softly behind me,shot
the bolt and assembled the stairs with
noiscless tread. ..,.t .r.r ,,..e .. ..,o.,
I opened the door of the little library
and shut it behind me with due precau-
ton. There was no one there, and the
room was in almost total darkness. But
beyond, the dressing-rOom was brilliant
with light, and the arched doorway re-
vealed to me the prettiest picture that
ever enchanted lover, or charmed q
painters fancy-a lovely woman in an
exquisite dress. Maude was standing
before the dressing-tsble putting the
last finishing touches to an elaborate
toilet. She was attired in robe COM
posed of Valenciennes lace and trans
parent muslin, worn over . dress OF
azure silk, and Auttering with bows and
sash + pale blue ribbon. It was clasped
at the throat with spray Of turquoises
and diamond, o portion of my first gift
to her and diamond locket, which
knew enclosed my miniature, hung sus-
pended from her neck by o slender an
tiqus chain. She WAS singing gayly to
herself snatches from popular operas az
she fitted to and fro, settling her ribbons,
altering the position Of her brooch, OF
placing curl more effectively. Then u
little decoration was needed for her rip
pling golden hair, and the selection re-
quired much care and deliberation. First
Il white rosebud was tried, next knot of
f'rset-me-nots, and finally tiny sutter-
fly bow of blue ribbon, which last proved
satisfactory and was adopted and fasten-
ed securely to its place amid the crepe
gold of her shining tresseS She glanced
ut the clock, gave her gossamer skirts a
final skake, and still singing gay lay to
herself, she took up the branched candle
stick that stood on her dressing-table,
and came towards the spot where
stood. --
I'm mari sage
Est en- voyage, ... ..
sang Maude as she entered the library.
II Sc prepare a rcvenir-
The song trailed off into o shriek, and
the candlestick would have fallen from
her hand upon the floor, had 1 not sprung
forward and caught it in its descent,
"Richard-you here /! Why, how
when ?" she gasped with pallid cheeks
and diiating eyes. ,.
"You see could not tear myself away
from you." m IaIrlri., a.
"You have frightened me terribly !"
She tried in vain to conceal her agitation.
1T was cruel of you to alarm me SO.
How did You get in ?" -.s-. bo.f1c.
by the little back door. found it
very convenient" .r.-.. .....r
A tiny fire was burning in the CRATE.
She crouched down on the hearth-rug as
though trying to warm her hands, which
Erembled nervously, but striving, as 1
could see, to collect her thoughts. She
was pitiable object as she knelt there,
ner gay dress and glittering ornaments
contrasting with the livid pallor of her
eatures, the blush shadows round her
mouth, the panic-stricken look in her
Side-open eyes, and her sparkling lockst
with the wild throbbing of her
heart. Suddenly she sprang up and
urned as if to leave the room.
Where are You goingY' I asked.
Il want to see if you closed the door
behind You. You have made me 80 ner-
;iOus-"
Il closed and bolted it, 90 have no fear.