Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-03-15

ontrnct IA with pain, anu siiB"V
hiycr convulsc her beautiful form.
Following the direction Of her
lance, l saw that her eyes rested
.pon q man who Ind just entered the
Dom, and who, noddmg md chatting
,ere and there, WINS approaching US
" easy gradations.
He was tall and powerfully built,
lark, almost swartlly IN appearance,
but undoubtedly very handsome.
In spite Of this, however, there was
something about him that seemed to
repel; a deiiant expression In ms
ryes, and m ,inc,,sy, nervous twltch-
lug about tho lips.
/ addressed one OF two observations
to Bessie, but she evidently did not
hear me, her sole attention being
taken up by the new conner.
Seeing this ! inquired:
"Who is that gentleman, Miss
Thornton, who Ind just entered the
room I"
"That ID Capt. Wyndham,' she re-
Piled in h low tone, almost u whisper.
"But hush, he is coming,' she added
And then, apologetically, "Excuse
me,r but he is SO dreadfally .ieal--'
She wns going to say 'jealous," J
knew, but ut TINT moment the Cap
tain walked up, and at the same III
slant n servant announced that dinner
was ready.
Jumping up, offered Bessie my
arm. She hesitated for IN instant,
md then 1t was too late.
With an insolent upland down look
Mt mo Wyndham pushed himself be-
tween ia, and selling the fair girls
arm with 80 powerful gr'sp Tint !
actually saw her vince from the pain,
he exclaimed in u naughty voices
~ will take You into dinner, Bes-
sic; I don't require any begyarly
lieuteuants to usurp my privileges y
OF course 1t was ont Of the question
to cause II scene In my hosts drawing
room, otherwise could have given
that man what he deseryed-viz: a
sound tllmshing- with the greatest
pleasure IN my life.
Accordingly, | bit my lips to re
struiu my feelings, and stepped back
Nevertheless, l expect my senti
ments were pretty strongly expressed
upon my countenance, for, rs every
body was leaving the ROOM Rcg'n''l'
eame up and said'
"What on earth Is the matter, Tom
You look az though somebody I'M
: stamped on your pet corn.'
"Just what hrs been done, Regy,
I replied; "upon u mental corn m
then | informed him Of what had %
/. cured.
In IN instant his manner change
from gentle badinage to IN earlie'
g air Of concern.
s uTnke no notice of him wlateve
: To,n,' answered he; tive will hive
: weed after dinner, and will expla1
. matters to YOU"
d Not II little mysti0ed, | entered Il
{, dining room, where | was seat'
!, nearly opposite Bessie Thornton, wi
J. was sitting next to Capt. Wyndhan
g Without appearing rude, cont
ued to keep my attention fixed pref
70 well upon them MI dinner-time, a
J. what | saw gave me the greatest co
Germ.
! One thing | was quickly assured
"i bessie was In positive fear OF /
dangerous looking companions.
~ There was u nervous start whent
~ or he addressed her, the unnatu
:" timidity Of manner when answer
his queries, and the watchfal gla'
~ of the eye, all betokcning ill-concea
~. apprehension.
m During the evening Reginald an
~ had no opportunity for conversati
-. as we were accompanied hy n mum
20 %, of young fellows into the billia
wv room, which entirely precluded
i. thing approaching to privacy.
Of At length the hour for retiring
mo rived, and as ] was proceeding all
the passage to my room kegl'
touched me ON the shoulder, sayil1
IN "Comc along, old man; this is
~ room, and we shall be alone now,
Following him, found myself
,aa what l recognized ut once MS
,,ao friends private snaggery. Paint
49, and photographs of different 8
:. covered the walls, while racks
-, Of well covered pipes ornamented
>, mantel-piece.
" "Sit down, Tom, and have n pi
said Thornton, and obeying IN
took my seat IN an armchair just
hind the door, and was soon III
,. enjoyment Of my "bacca."
Something seemed wrong, how.
with Reginald. First Of all, his
wns ston,nid Nh. and then he nj,