New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-06

the dark blue, ar-stndded sky.
II should like it," che said. "but am
afraid am not strong enough for that quite
yet"
There are many beautiful places more
easv of access" said Mr.. Ferguson. This
is such q wild place that the beauties are
not ticketed yet as Lovers Retreats and
Fairy G,ens'-but one likes them better
for that"
"Iudeed, yes,r said Hester. "One may
fancy, perhaps, that one has discovered
them for ones selt-snd that sense adds to
the charm Of everything"
with some people," said Mr. Clyde.
"Others like their cascades and glens dis
covered for them, as well as their heroes
| and beauties. 1t is astonishing to oOnsiuer
how incapable the average human mind
appears to be of originating an opinion.
It's views on every subject. from logic
down to fishing are presented to it ready
| made, and adopted with facility
Every fortunately So" said Ferguson.
''rhere is only one subject on which men
are generally capable of originating an
| opinion, and that. | think with a glance
at the outline Of Testers head and face
''is with regard to beauty
Mr. Clyde laughed as he took his pipe
| from his mouth.
you couldn't have given worse exam
pie" he Said. There is nothing in connec
| tion with which reputation has more We ght
Now see!-lIl give you an instance. Sup
pose Hester had arrived here with flourish
of trumpets as the great beauty, Miss
Clyde"
20 papa. pray don't be absurd"
How ali these good people would have
stared, admired and thr0nged about her,
I've seen it done with palmer women. As
it is, some one may have thought, That is
rather pretty girr-but nobody has gone
beyond that, you may be sure"
Papa" said Hester, you are really be.
night and retire Pray. Mr.. Ferguson. don't
think that be usually talks IN this way. l
never heard him do il before.
III | may be allowed to say so, Fergu-
son replied. speaking on an irreslsta BILE IN
pulse, "hs has only strengthened my OPT
MON that men are obtuse on that subject.
1t can hardly be possible that there is only
Ore person here for whom no flourish of
trumpets was necessary.
He had scarcely uttered the words before
he regretted having done SC. for even in the
starlight he saw the change which came
over Hester, The frank and graceful Sim
piicity vanished; her face hardened, her
man ner grew cold
You see what you have brought upon
me, papa, she said, rising. 1T would be
pity to draw a compliment from friend;
4 q
compliment from a stranger. Good night"
she crossed the piazza and en- tered the
house before Ferguson found words in
which to speak. Then he said to Mr..
Clyde:
"Pray excuse me. 1t was presumptuous
Of me- to make such q speech, but the i'm
pulse was uncomfortable.
1T was my fault" said the older man.
~ should not have spoken as l debut il
ia nOf ttoro of Nn
was ever offended by a respectful and we'll
timed compliment"
The subject dropped here, tor Mr.. Young
came up at that moment: but according to
the fashion of such small annoyances, it
fingered in Ferguson mind, and the last
reflection with which he turned into bed
was, II must apologize to Miss Clyde at the
first opportunity"
1t was nearly twenty four hours before
this opportunity was found. Hester, being
still somewhat of an invalid, did not appear
at breakfast the next morning, and after
breakfast Mr.. Ferguson was one of party
who, going out on deer hunt, did not re
turn until evening. Making then hasty
change OF toilet. he went in TO the tea table
and found Hester with faint bloom on her
cheeks, and a cluster OF ferns and wild
flowers in her hair, listening to Mr.. Clydes
account of the days sport She bowed
slightly but distantly when Ferguson sat
down, and went on talking to her father.
But how odd that you should think all
this entertaining, papa If You really
chased the deer. it would be another mat
ter; but to waylay the poor thing when it
is flying for its life, and shoot it down-oh.
l don't see how you can feel other than
cruel and crOwardiy.
IL have rather Gallons sensibiities. sup
pose, my dear" said Dir. Clyde, cheerfully.
sit seems to- me no more cruel and
cOwardly to shoot q deer than to wiring the
neck of chicken. Il isn't we'll to be too
sentimental. Nov, what have you been
doing all day
IL took Mr.. Yourg's little boy for
guide, and went on long ramble. How
enjoyed IL This is divine place, papa.
Why did not you never bring me here be-
fore!"
Il did not fancy that it would please such
a fashionable young lady
NOW you are sarcastic, and it isn't your
forte at all"
A few minutes later they left the table,
anu Ferguson said to himself: II must
certainly make that apology. What
lovely face she has But it is of too fine
type of beauty, too gentle and frank, to be
woman can be a belle without losing the
candid simplicity which is the aroma of her
womanhood. This girl has not lost it. But
for the ease of her manner, l should fancy
that she had just left school. She certs inly
must have lived secluded life; one of
those home existencas which seem to shrine
the best qualities for the feminine
"Hot biscuit, eli ," said a servant, pre-.
senting plate.
Ferguson declined the biacuit and rose
from table. As he left the supper room he
glanced into the parlor an apartment which
he usually Stunned with scrupulous care.
A group of ladies were crocheting and talk
ing in one corner, in another a party of |
young people were playing game of cards, |
laughing great deal, ard now and then |
accusing each other of cheating. Hester |
was not visible, so Ferguson proceeded to |
the piazza. Here he found her sitting alone, |
midway between flirting couple at one !
end and a group of smokers at the other. |
The opportunity was favorable, and, Icing |
not at all troubled with shyness, he took |
advantage OF it. |
Il have come to beg your pardon, Miss |
Clyde he said, making her start by the I'M
sound of his voice. II was pre-
last night, and should have |
apologized at once tor my speech if you had |
remained minute longer. Do you not |
may understand how l was led away l |
meant no disrespect, and l may |
add, no tattery."
There was something Straightforward in
this apology which at once melted all that
OF Hester's little resentment.
1--WE will put the question of hattery
aside, Mr.. Ferguson" she said. II am very
sure that you meant no disrespeot, and
probably it is who should apologize for
receiving your friendly compliment so
rudely. Yes, l often speak-and acton
IN impulse. In fact, 1 may echo what
some one has said and declare that spend
lalf of my life in doing things, and the