New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-17
ESPERANZA.
An Incident of Life Mt Spa.

doubte at Spa The large expanse in the
centre of it is kept clear for dancing, and
spectators whose minds and toes are not
light or fantastic remain in the cloisters
which surround it, and which are well sup.
piled with comfortable chairs and sofas.
Sometimes it happens that the young men
are indOlent or timid, and the young ladies
stiff, and then the smooth shining floor is a
desert, and, in spite of the floods of light
and music, there is something depressing
about the general aspect. But that was
not the state of affairs one August night,
although the maOIity of visitors present
were English. There had been a great deal
Of determination at the tables d'hote CT the
different hotels; walking, riding, driving
parties had been made up daily; the
foreign element was just sufficient to
correct the British stiffness, without
being numerically strong enough to
provoke its exclusiveness. Altogether a
very pleasant little society was formed
in the place that season. Millicent Lund
was an attractive member of it, a handsome.
high cOuraged girl; an orphan, sole SUI WV
ing child OF drysalter, consequently an
heiress. While at school, from the age of
twelve to nineteen that is. she was happy,
but her guardians wife had patroDizing
manners, which Miliy quietly put up with
until she was twenty-one, and then took
charge of herself-that is she engaged one
OF her goyeInesses. who was getting too
blind and too deaf to teach, and would con-
sequently have been otherwise destitute.
to accept the nominal position OF taking
charge of her. but of course it was sine
cure. People were shocked; but much
Milly cared for that! She sat on a sofa be-
hind one of the pillars, talking to a black
haired man of about thirty, who dressed
rather too well for the expression Of his
features, which were Intelligent.
Il am afraid of you, Mr.. Bertram." she
was saying.
''Are you p he replied. "How people are
maligned l heard that you were afraid of
no One."
Perhaps you have been .landered also"
''Shall tell you romantic story!'
80 yes, please"
''Do not let your expectations rise" said
Bertram; there is nothing sensational
about It. Upwards of a year ago | hap
9ened to be staying at Brussels during the
carnival. The Countess G. had a fancy to
give masked ball, and received an invi-
tation. 1t was a very brilliant affair, and
at the same time the company was select,
for the hostess received all her guests on
arrival siDgly and unlnasked, in :. small
ante-room, So that none but those who
were properly invited could gain admit
taDce. ] had not been in the :oom five
minutes before / saw blue domino,
WHO produced the most extraordinary
effect upon ne that 1 have ever expert
enced. Up to that time had laughed
ut mesmerlsm presentiments--e everything
which il connected with q mysterious in
Recommendation OF spirits. But now the
TACT OF the existence of secret sympatiies
was forced upon me. I knew at once that
this was the only woman ] could ever love-
OF course l had often thought myself in
love before. hut now l say that had given
that name 70 a passing fancy. which never
reached ,ny heart. spoke to her. danced
with her How the night passed have 70
idea: II scenic! gone before !: had well be-
gun"
You s.w her face a.forc she left -
mot Tor moment. Nor was able 10
discover who she was. or where she came
from, afterwards. That sh. wa, English
am confident, though she spoke Italian
all the evening"
~ am quite Interested" said Miss Luz d.
''What was her height and he. figure.
Like yours
''Indeed! And the color o; he. hair:''
"Iours exactly
And you have never me: her again.
.'Not till this evening"
"Really, Mr.. Beriram." said i!ilT, laugh
ing. you almost look as if you were going
10 claim me as your mysterious domino
mo: l remember my promise
Aud what was that
Not TO claim her until she w-c;c CT ut
tered the word 'Esperanza.'
''Really, yon have kept your word, and
told a veritable romance the lady has only
to turn out ghost or a ghoul to make it
complete said Miss Lund: but she
spoke she started anu turned pale; it was
only with an effort that she completed her
sentence.
Bertram, looking round fer the cause of
this emotion, saw that a new arrival at Spa,
a man whom he knew slightly in England,
had just entered the ,oom. and he expe-
rienced that pleasing thrill which animates
a pointer on snun.ng gamey scent or
dramatic author when the idea Of a Mot
comes into his head. for he relieved the
tedium of u somewhat letbargic existence
by watching the little social romanc.s GO
ing on around him. If he hac be, y a tat
tier this might have proved q miscAieyous
but he kept his discoveries to
himself, or only intimated them to the prin-
,ipal actors, for his amusement consisted
in knowing what other people failed to
perceive. The young man who mad Just
entered moved up the room, looking
right and left for acquaintances.
Presently he saw Bertram. who came
forward and shool, hands with him, asked
him when he had arrived. what hotel he
was staying at, and other little common
places. while he was ans wering which lie
saw Miss Lund, and cold not prevent
slight start before ne bowed c0ldly. The
voung lady replied with a distant bend of
he neck.
"You know Miss Lund?" said Bertram.
II have met her once or twice. But they
re going to dance again, and as am not
q mood Of violent exercise, having only |
ust swallowed my dinner, l shall 20 and |
ave look at the Trente ct Quarente."
Though not a gossip himself, Bertram by