The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-02-07

lady Is nnaei my protection"
Al the same time lie pushed the har-
lcquins aside. A loud murmur arose,
hu. the domino took no notice what
ever of it.
II pray yon take my arm, madam
said he, calmly.
Take me ont of the saloon, sir, I
conjure y"u," gasped the distressed
lady.
The domino quickly obeyed. Five
minutes later they stood on the portal
of the Opera House. Charlotte chung.
half dead. to the arm OF her protector.
She could scarcely stand. A fierce
SNOW storm had set in; the night was
cold and raw.
ga carriage. SIR" murmnred she 81
am SO exhausted ! cannot walk"
The domino called for n hack. AS
bad luck would have it. there VAS, inst
at this moment. not one to be had
The icy wind threw clouds of snow
over the thinly clad lady.
"Here we cannot remain muttered
the domino compassionately.
For mercy's sake, do not carry me
back in the saloon"
Bat you are unwell. madam Where
Shall we goP ALI jus. opposite there
is a cafe still open. Follow me, will
procure hack there"
The Countess submitted Her little
! feet, encasrd in white satin slippers,
must wade through the snow. !rem-
tered the cafe. where she sank down III
Il Swonu. The Domino was much con-
crrned for his cnnti,auion..
''MaGam, you cannot go home in this
situation. You mist take something.
You mn>t refresh yourself. Allow me
to prescribe for You; pray he my guest.
Waiter, the bill Of fare. Two bottles
%! champagne"
Chlrintle tried to refuse; her gcnrr-
Gus protector would not hear a word.
"Wr will sup together, madam; then
will order carriage, aud you can g"
quietly home"
The behavior of the Domino was $"
amiahle and gcutl"manly that Char
l"ttr Submitted To the gentle power of
his eloqnence, and believed him to he
true gentleman. They spoke of the
uproar at the thenter. He was ali in
higna,iou. In his anger he consumed
trutii,,S. pastry. baked fowl aud vegc-
. tabieS--iI short. the best the hili of fare
afforded and this he washed down
with bette of champagne. The poor
Countess tasted the vIauhs not to seem
unthanklnl. He finished his repast in
half an hour.
How do yon feel now, madam p liz
inquired.
II am brttrr, thank YOU"
Very we'll. / will order carriage
"IInw can l ever thank you, III!
dear sir?
by refusing TO m1frve rfrIt 7 irs'''
pltce,! YOU under the slightest oh'lga
ZION: any gentleman would have dom
the sru. il, like circumstances"
ooh, then. crown ynur magnanimoH
condnct by getting ne carriage III
stmn'ly.'
The Domino laid down his napii
and hastily left the room. Chariot
; waited ten, twenty Minutes, la
hour-he did not return Other mask
came in and called for refreshments.
I The fear that her husband might re
y turu hnme before her, decided t.!
y" CnuntrsS to wait II" longer.
"The stranger cann"t find hack
+ she thrnsh' ''he will forgive me ii
nrveG meet again"
~ She wrapped herself in her dom'n
preparatory t" leaving. The wait
~ came tnwartS her.
e, MY friend" whispered she. eff tt
y gentleman in the domino returns plea
III say to him that beg his prrdon f
'd my abrupt departure"
81 Consider il done, madame. b
lis please settle with me hefor" "
ef leave"
he The Countess was shocked she !
rd membered she had no money with h'
1t AS Hermine had undertaken t he who
<; of the arrangements.
he ..Uere is the bill, continued the W;
" ter, "as the gentleman went out he |
~ fe,red me t" you"
is $40 me y
nd "My vile will attend t" it, he $;
ne to mt"
h" If the lower part of the Counte
he face bad not brr,, hidden by her me
lr- the waiter would have seen how
blush of shame mantled her checks,
inc she found she had fallen into1the han
of an advemtuver, who had sottc'
most elegant supper at her expense
the The bill WAS % francs. The r'mm ,
er- rauidly filing with masks. The W;
re- or eyed her susi'ici""sly.
uld "Takc this. take this" said she,
ne, with trembling fingers she ""e'as
mr. nne of her bracelets. TO o''
and morning | will pa. the bill and get