The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-04

ACI3 dAu ofIy oA1ts o4uCO JILL So uA'Ol-
tsnate this morning, 1 shall give myself
the pleasure of calling again. I heard
of her presence here through our mu-
tual friend, Mr.. Raymond; and, indeed,
1 have been greatly stimulated to per-
severe in my earnest resolve to renew
our friendship by that gentleman's en-
thusiastic description of her. She was
Miss Leslie when I knew her, and suf-
ficiently charming; but I can readily
believe that time has only matured her
loveliness.
had not heard the hiss of the SER
pent once throughout all this long
speech. Her voice was honeyed sweet
ness, but at the conclusion perceived
distinctly the snake-like glitter of her
eye.
"Mrs. Desmond is, indeed, very
lovely woman," said, simply; "quiet
worthy the friendship and esteem of the
noblest. She is in peculiar affliction,
however. atpresent, and sees very little
society,""
Indeed! I Thought her quite gay,
and have admired her resolution in SO
effectually concealing the deep grief
must have caused her. InaY add that
Miss Leslie and myself were rivals in
our girlhood. Please say to her, with
my regards, that consider it partic-
ularly good fortune to me that this op-
portunity for renewing our acquaint-
ance occurs at time when my happy
marriage and her touching grief render
the indulgence Of the old jealousy,
which had certainly reason to indulge
in then, utterly absurd. Tell her that
I promise good behavior for the future,
if she will but admit me on the list of
her friends.'
/ confess / was more than surprised
at such importantly from Mrs. Harold
Montjoy. Her husband was old, veal
thy and gentle; her position as lead
er of fashion, at present an enviable
one, however unenviably attained. Why
she should so especially care, unless for
some sinister motive, to renew her ac-
quaintance with Aurelia, who moved
in so entirely different a sphere, l did
not at first see clearly. But in an in
slant | remembered her earnest and
impressive manner, as she bade Ray
mond adieu that morning, and q
great light illumined my mind. I was
more than ever determined that Mrs.
Mountjoy should not succeed in this
pernicious scheme of hers.
But Raymond! And here doubt en-
tered my mind which l had once or
twice before entertained. He was a
man of noble intellect, of quick per-
ception of right or wrong, but of the
strength of his moral principles I had
then and even now entertained sus-
picion. If Mrs. Harold Mountjoy, with
her insinuating graces, and the strong
bribe of her powerful patronage, should
throw herself too much in his way, how
far would he yield himself to her infiu.
ence, and, while he thought himself ac-
cepting of her homage to his intellect,
become in reality the victim of he1
Vaccinations? For several rea-
sons the question was an interesting one
to me.
Raymond called that evening
Aurelia happened to be up stairs at the
time, writing latter, so that enjoyed
the wished-for opportunity of a tete-a
tete with him.
ga friend of yours called here to
day." said, "who, it seems, is also al
old acquaintance of Aurelia's-Mrs
Mountjoy. She is an interesting char
acter; do tell me about her."
Raymond smiled the peculiar smile O
a man of the world.
"Yes. She and Aurelia were rival
once, 1 think. That is, after Harry
engagement with Miss Leslie, he me
Mrs. MountjoY. That was before he
marriage, and she was near breaking
off the match. What schemer she is
And yet l like her."
"What is it that you like in her?"
"Her smartness, her cunning, he
utter incapacity of being sincere max
her exceedingly amusing, assure you
So she called on Aurelia, did shep'
"Yes. Expressed great admiration
for her, and strong desire to reney
the old acquaintance; told me of you
eulogies, and of her entire credence @
them. Aurelia wouldn't see her. D
you know, Mr.. Raymond, I suspect tn
woman of sinister designs upon you?
Raymond smiled, and then for me
ment looked serious.
81 can tell you," he said, "what
dare not tell Aurelia-that she hersel
has been my salvation. met Mri
Mountjoy in society in the mo:
casual way in the world. The resu
was an acquaintance which time, he
acts, and my indifference to const
quences were fast ripening into an i,
timacy. do not know what her oil
ieet was, nor do care. 1t might hay
been simply the pleasant sensatio
which such natures undoubtedly feel
the exercise of their peculiar powe