New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-10-08

| The woman serving IN the snug little bar
smiled with surprise as she heard these re-
marks of Captain Garnous, whose generosi-
ty had never been conspicuous in the little
port. Mr.. Charmen consenting to accept
the gift of his new friend. the barmaid
placed his glass of spirits before him.
Thanks, Captain Gsrnons," she said, az
the captain paid for Mr.. Charmen's glass,
which that gentleman received with proper
gratitude.
"Aud there, girl, there's ti1pence for
| you," said Garnous. "You haven't seen me
IN this port lately"
mo. captain. Very much obliged" and
the girl, astOnished at these two Instances
of generosity, retired within the bar.
"Fve been away for more than three
months" obst rived Garnous to Charmen
Been to Scotland. Norway and Russia;
and have done we'll everywhere do,
| in short. That's q satisfaction
"And you say that Is satisfact ton re-.
piled Chairman.
"What do you think of the place. asked
the captain.
1T suits me- replied the coas,guards-
| man.
| Married. inquired Garnous.
wife dead replied Chairman, leisurely,
| as he spoke.
"Apy family"
"One daughter"
"Oh, one daughter" replied Garnous
"Well, I'm not married. replied Garnous
81 don't seem to have had any time for
such work as that; but what may happen in
the future don't know. If 1 am not rude,
how old is your daughter"
"One and twenty" said Mr.. Chairman.
"Ahr'
After that the captain did not find him
| self equal to say anything at once very
pertinent. These facts he had previously
ascertained, but it was his object to get
friendly with Mr. Charmen, because Mr..
Charmen was the father of the pretty
girl he had met on the beach; and how
could he do this without exhibiting some
interest in himself and his family Mr..
Charmen had accepted the brandy CRATE
fully, and had answered Garnous' question,
if not in an elusive spirit, at all events in
. way which showed he was not indispoeed
to accept the civilities of the captain. OF
course he had heard about Garnous, and
was t1attered by his attentions. Garnous
spent couple of hours with the coast
guardsman, who, separating from him at
night, seked him to call and spend an eve
ming at his ho1se.
This offer Garnous of course accepted
his object in his attentions to the coast
guard officer being an introduction to Han
nah Charmen, whom he had now the pleas
ure of speaking to. 1t was a rough night
when he wendell his way to the cosstgoard-
standing close to the beach-and as he
entered the place the wind-the door hav-
ing been opened by Miss Charmen-roared
behind him, rushed into the passage. and
almost blew out the candle which Hannah
was holding in her hand.
"a gusty night, Miss Charmen, said Gar
nous; 'but I'm used to 'em, and they don't |
frighten me-"
He held out his hand. which Hannah was |
al <o HoHn nd <hnn Hha
guard officer, appearing by the side of his |
daughter, invited him to enter. 1t was Mr.. |
Gsrnous endeavor to make himself as |
genial and companionable Is possible, and |
he succeeded in work. az his way into favor |
with Charmen. Hannah had no recollec.
lion of having met him previously on the |
beach, or of the look of admiration with
admiration he again repeated when they
were all costly seated round the coast
guardsmsn's fireplace. But Captain Gar
nous failed in obtaining her good opinion.
Her heart inwardly rebelled against him in
spite of all his efforts, and the stories he
narrated for the pleasure of her father and
himself. Hannah spoke but little. Indeed
she was never very loqoacious, and the
presence OF GArnOus made her lees 80. Now, |
Garnous misinterpreted all this He was
vain man, and, like most men who have de-
epised women all their life, fancied he had |
only to show the smallest attention to re-
ceive q woman's good will, or even Q deeper
feeling, at once Garnous had never affected
to make love to woman before; indeed he
had invariably addressed them with as
little civility as possible. But now he fat |
conducted himself that Hannah Charmen
was pleased with his person, and that she
was silent in his company az women are
often silent before men in whom they are
Interested.
So, when he left the Charmens, having
smoked several cigars during the evening,
le felt that he was sstisfied with his visit,
hat Hannah Charmen was very pleasant
70ung woman, and that he might do worse
han marry her. Then he almost laughed
It himself for thinking OF marriage-he,
hat no woman should ever make q fool of
him! If he was, however, destined to be
made fool of he would give the matter
iue consideration first; and he would see
Hannah Charmen q good many times be- |
ore he decided upon putting to her the i'm
,ortant question as to whether she was viii
ing to be his wife. 1t 80 happened that ne
would not be for some weeks. These unoc-
upied weeks would give him ample Oppor-
unitles of seeing more of her.
"Looks as if she might be girl of spirit"
10 thought, as he made his way homeward.
though she did not cay much. Well, if 1
yer liked q woman l should like her to
ave some spirit. If there was too much of
one could easily break it down; and that
rl is handsome-very handsome"
But the Captain used q stronger word;
nd he was fond of strong words.
A day or two afterward he again called {
q Miss Charmen, and had chat with her.
'oward the conclusion of his visit he Oh.
erved small photograph of Hannah stand.
1g on the mantel.piece.
lis that you, Miss Charmen'" he asked,
Eyes. Captain Garnous."
MAY have it,"
you! Why, what do you want it for9M {
Il 90 want it. There" said the captain Y
"Oh.. it is quite valueless," answered {
hannah. !
"valuelese, nonsense! 1 don't think so.
docs not 90 you justice. These things 8
. "E1 e. ,s me-" said Hannah.
Il do not think 1 could spare it." And
lannah hung down her head.
ut was taken at the request of a friend :
nd that is why I! think must keep it,"
sptain eyed her sharply. a
just then her father entered, and nothing
ore was said about the portrait; and 9
lortly after ward the captain went away {
sappointed because Hannah had refused I
give him the portrait, and suspicious Of
e person at whose request the portrait g
I'd been tai ken. He had been careful to /
certain tn at she had no sweetheart; at all /
'ents no one in the place had ever heard '
her having one. Could it then be pos g
bic that g he should have one, and that she Z
ID refused to give him the portrait be- I
use it ad been taken at her lovers re- q
lest9 Then the consideration he had de- d