New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-17

lelreeS, SAID sne.
Rash, under your very eyes, wasn't it p
he replied. "But what is there between
her and Graham g
do you mean to tell me that YOU dom
knOw|'
How should I! ( was not aware O.
Miss Lund's existence till this evening"
well. they were engaged for ever -
long: he was at her house every day: most
improper, with the poor old Miss Corney Il
act as ciiaperone; when suddenly she broke
OF the match. The airs these paryenu;
give Themselves
Was there no causa, then =
'Oh, suppose it was some Jealous whiM
and there may have been some occasion TO,
1t. You men are all alike"
This was quite enough for Bertram to
start upon. and he made no more inquiries
But he enlisted himself in the troop OF the
helres5 admirers. which was pretty nuner-
GUS, took the Lund shilling as he him
self expressed it, and being ar adept in the
art OF making himself agreeable, was soon
promoted TO the rank OF a leading partner
and first shawl carrier, vice Williams and
Nenables, told Off respectively to Miss Cor
ney and the lap-dog. This distinction did
not put him up undulv, for the discriminate
ing young man perceived that the prefer
ence was afforded him, because he seldom
approached the topics OF love or matri-
mOny, and when he did, il was q, ways in a
tone of badinage.
Yet there were times when she assumed
q cOquettish air, which seemed to invite
him to more serious Irritation. but this was
when Graham was presen. and appeared to
be observing her.
"NOw," said Bertram to himself. .!tnere
are two courses tor the male spoon to pur-
sue--either to clear out the place atogeth-
er. or follow the female spoons lead
Graham adopted the latter course. and
harnessed himself to the car of handsome
young widow, who dressed goygeously, rode
tearlessiy. talked slangily. danced unt;,ing-
ly, and sat down to plav.
The manners of the little English commu-
nifty assembled at Spa were very much re
Taxed from the standard set w by each in
dividual member at home. Persons, even
of different sexes. spoke to one another
without a formal introduction: young ladies'
danced sometimes twice consecutlvely with
the same partner. The majority only went
once to church on Sunday. and devoted the
rest Of the day to l)ng walks in the woods.
the perusai OF secular journals. and listen
ing to the band which played other music
than Handel's. Many who trowneG at six
penny whist at home as gambling, staked
their forms and fve-franc pieces at roulette
and rouge-et-noir. But there was one tact:
law which the female portion of the British
visitors adhered to religiousiy. and which
forbade them to take seats at either of the
play tables. They might stand behind and
make thei. little stakes over peoples
shoulders. with All air OF assumed indit-
ference as to whether they lost or won, if
they pleased. That was considered to De
mere loOkingon. But to sit down like a
regular gambler. with a big G. was held to
be a fearful breach Of prOpriety.
And this crime Mrs. Geylass. the Young
widow, committed. She constantly took
seat, which was Obsequiously vacated for
her at the unsocial board, removed her
gloves, took a card and pin, piled her stock
of napoleons into little heaps in front Of
her, and went in for the thing in the most
business-lke way. her admirers clustering
around and backing her luck on the prin-
ciple, l suppose. that imitation is the sim
cerest tiattery. The admirers alluded to
were all men; their mothers. wives and sis
tiers abhOrred her to a woman. They would
have cut her only her late husbands cousin
was a lord and her own father a barOnet,
and she was rich. Blood and money cover
more sins than charity, 40 they bowed and
smiled, and answered when she spoke to
them. But that was not very often, for the
widow preferred masculine conversation.
This was the lady to whom Graham now
devoted himself; he procured nosegays for
her; he contended for the honor of her
hand in the bali room, and her foot when
she mounted on horseback, and his atten-
lions were always most earnest when Miiiy
Lund was present. Bertram smiled ap.
prevail. Graham is no fool" thought he;
'he has selected the most attractive girl;
Just as the Lundy has selectedstne next lin
her blinded jGdgment) mos: attractive
man" This soiiloIIizev had no false mod
esty. you see.
Having thus ascertanei that these two
young people were desperately IN love with
one another Bertram no longer gave him.
self the trouble OF paying SO assiduous a
court to Miss Lund, and cultivated the ac-
luaintance OF Graham. who was too much a
man OF the world to show q reserve which
might betray jealousy. if he felt any, which
is doubtful. The two men had not CHANGED
to meet often. but they had been thrown
together some two years before in the set
Element of a domestic matter in which
Graham had behaved in q manner calcu-
lated to excite Bartrams esteem. and he
was inclined to like the man who knew
better of him than most other people did.
For our loves and friendships depend quite
az much upon men and women'S opinion OF
ourselves az upon their own intrinsic
merits.
They breakfasted at the same little table:
they stroiled atterward in the hotel garden,
smoking; they also consumed theic last eli.
CARS at night in the company. and waxed
At least. the one who had
to contide did il. and Bertram
learned that Graham was en the point OF
going ont to Africa to shoo. big game.
The other visitors at Spa made a totally
different arrangement: ;oc the young man.
and decreed that he was about 70 marry
The lively widow forthwith. Mrs. Cracket
the forthcoming event to Mill
cent Lund as an ascertained fact. and this
young lady. believing it. went mad. I do
not mean that she required a straightforward
coat. or put wild flowers III her hair. or
sang scraps OF song. or danced with her
shadow. She did not even show any emotion
before Mrs. Cracket and the gossips, but
smiled. and remarked that she supposed it
wa, !. good match: for she was not of an
bysterical nature. But her mind was for
the Time unhinsed. for all:that. and she was
quite capable of doing some desperate
thing which society would have brought in
temporary insanity. 1t was quite true that
She had broken with Graham. but then he
had no business to marry any one else, ETC.
How could she appease her resentment;
how prove that she did not care one iota
tor the man she had once been betrothed
to, If she could only take the initiative.
that would be better still. No one can
throw Oft the restraints conventionally I'M.
posed by their te!!ow-creatures with i'm
punity; if Miily Lund had not INDUCED
her tastes for independence and originality
to such an extent: if she had had any cx-
friend of her own sex. in whom
she had confidence, to advise her, she never
would have been guilty OF writing. on a
sheet OF lemon-colored note paper: Let me
see you tomorrow morning-M H." and
dropping it. with her handkerchief" at the
when only Bertram was near
enough to pick it up. The wisp of paper
was not addressed to anybody in particular;
that was the only shred OF prudence she
showed; but when she gave it almost with
her own hand, which was very shocking
"lf Graham had known that l had this
IN my rocket he would hardly have hiiG an