The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-06-07

"But you can not" she added, Gin
your present position, offer any thing but
your heart That is the last thing you
ought to present to her,"
"But she will never guess what feel
for herr
"How do / know, my son? Never
mind, young folks will have their day
Suppose, now, that you really were anx-
ious to meet this fair lady?"
81 know of but one way" said l,
"and that seems well-nigh impossible"
"And what is thatP" inquired Madame
Croche.
"There is ball. l replied, &C given
on Monday at the Hotel de Vile, by the
French residents, for the benefit of the
British charitable fund. If could pre-
sent myself there should not be hope
less of obtaining an introduction. How
ever, it is useless talking of chimeras.
This is clearly an impossibility.
Oh, MOI" said Madame Croche, &c it
is by no means impossible"
''But Monday" said l, ''is the day of
the ball, and it will then be too late.''
"Never fear; nothingi is impossible"
said she. aa ..
And true it was; for, marvellous to re-
late, on Monday night at O'Clock |
found myself attired in a respondent
suit that had formerly belonged to son
of Madame Croche; and stranger still,
| wore over my coat a white silk scarf,
which was the badge of office, not of my
stewardship on board the steamer, but
as steward of the ball ...
Madame Croche, | found out after
wards, had obtained this with great
trouble from NJ Bertrand, the Maire, of
whom she was a particular friend.
On presenting myself in the room l
was very civilly received by the other
stewards; and as was the only English
one present, was deputed to do all that
was required in the way of civility to my
compatriots.
You may imagine with what anxiety I
watched the doorway, to see when the
object of my interest would arrive. At
last caught sight of her; there was no
need of second glance-no other feet
in Boulogne would havea walked in as
those did.
Mother and daughter sat down; and
though apparently unacquainted with
any one present, seemed to enjoy what
was going on. l took heart of grace,
and approached the div:tn where they
were sitting. As l did so, saw both
Kate and her mother give perceptible
start.
"Good gacious, mammal" I heard
her say. at is the steward"
81 am the steward of the ball, mad
ame,' l said, ''and shall feel happy, as
such, to be of any use to YOU
81 thank you," said Kate; ''but we
are strangers here.''
"Will you allow me to present you tc
partnerP''
.I rather think" said Mrs. Travers
''that my daughter is not inclined te
dance.''
| "The fact is, n'chimed in Miss Kate
"our object in coming here was rather
to see than to be seen.'
"That is rather difficult" said l ''a
least for some people,
"Did you mean that for compli
ment, sirP'' she said, archly. o.
thought only Frenchmen paid compli
! ments!"
Englishmen," SAID I, sometime
wish to pay compliments, but in prac
tical manner. VIII you allow me to d.
so now-propose myself for your part
ner?''
After slight demur she consented
and we stood up to dance in quadrille
s'May | ask your name, Mr.. Stew
, ardP" said she; sit is so awkward t.
, talk to partner whose name is unknown
to YOU"
any name is Wigram, Miss Travers.
elf am not too inquisitive," sh
said, show came you to know mine?''
: was little taken aback at this.
laughed, however, and said, "Oh, n
/ doubt you remember the old provert
More know Tom than Tom knows!'
"Well parried,'' she. replied; g bu
l how did you hear it?'' .
"Oh,'' said l, Gas the steward, I al
: bound to know the names of all th
guests. Moreover, I think you hav
< been nearly a fortnight in Boulogne, an
when people are the observed of all oil
a servers
Strange!" she answered. s'We lea
8 such quiet lives, and are so anxious
o escape notice! There is nothing | di
t like so much as to be always before tt
n public"
n "To avoid which, Miss Travers," sai
Y /, "you do well to come to a publ
0 ball, for there, of course, one is hidde
J, in crowd; it is better than a hermitag
Lis it not?''
It "You have the best of it, she replied
I s'and as I have the generosity to own
e l win claim the privilege of asking yt
n rather singular question. Have "
h ever seen in Boulogne a person bearir
= a wonderful resemblance to yourself. y
1t ssNet that / am aware of. Most pc