Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-05
The Beauty's Choice.

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Mrs. Hawleys prettieSt boarder was
the bit ola blonde girl named Florence
Castleton. 1t was romantic name,
aud she had u romantic history. Her
parents were dead, she was the heress
OF their property, and had q guardian
lie had been in love with her mother,
and was very Jealous of the daughters
guardianship, treating her with
arbitrary power, and teasing her quito
ns pleasing her with his affections.
Vet, it was quite ezasperatlng to the
young men to see her hanging on his
arm, and he handsome bachelor of
only forty, He boarded at hotel, she
had Mrs. Hawley $ prettlest set Of rooms.
They were furnished by herself and most
ebarmingly, III rose wood, and blue
damask. She had canaries, and a
King Charles spaniel, and maid under
her authority, and it was but short
time after her arrival before every young
maG in the house was remarkably
subServiout to her.
There were four Young men in the
house--Charley Cbilds, Fred Grove,
Leonard Martin, and Dick Manchester
oil bright, agreeable, marriageble young
men, and all admirers of Florence
Castleton, Finally there was another,
but he was too plain and bashful to be
admitted 20 the elegant ranks of Miss
Castlcton'5 galaxy of beaux, and no one
thought of his being any ones lover,
His name was David Atwood. He was
u book-keepcr, was plain in dress, and
evidently Strengthened in means. He had
one Of the smallest Of Mrs Hawley's side
rooms, spent all of bis days and most of
his evenings i'll the office where he was
employed, never went TO theatres or
the opera and possessed not the slight
est style OF manner.
The Others laughed at him-he was 50
shy and awkward, aud bashiul. And
Florence Castleton often Joined the
laugh, siIyery; set no one offered him
any disIespeCt Indeed, they all ac.
hnowlcdgcd him TO be n good young
man, but so homely aud awkward
Florence C0stleton had pretty voice
for singing, and used to play upon a
guitar,a beautiful one inlaid with pearl,
which her guardian had given her,
One evening, after David Atwood had
resided in the house about six weeks
she drought it down into the parlor and
sat down to play.
The young men gathered around to
sing with her. Young Martin sang very
well and Charley thilds sang better.
While they were singing David Atwood
came IN.
He slipped into corner and sat down
in bis shy way, and was uunotired until
Dick Manchester, who was restless for
mischief, called out Mr., Atwood won
you come and sing with It's ?
4 do not sing, he said quietly.
Nor play ? asked Dick,
only upon the violin, he answered.
Florence was stIummug her guitar
carelcSsly.
Wont MI Atwood let lis hear him
play upon the violin " asked Dick,
glancing siyly at Martin, as if he was
etarting game, All awaited Atwoods
answer with certain degree of interest.
4 have not used my violin since
cane here, will uupack it, aud if none
of the strings are broken | will play,
and he rose quietly and left the room.
htNfl hltN 'i 'tNlitlN DiUi III W IlD
hadn't fantasy fora fiddle, said Martin,
There, he's coming back, Now, if any
one has tastldous musical sonsiblities
I'd advise him to decamp,
IN stay said Dick.
well all stay and see the fun, said
Grove, sitting down By Miss CastletoD.
David came in. | began to under
stand what was coming as he bent his
head over the violin and drew the bow
lightly across the strings. In moment
he glided into an air of Nerdi's so light
ana graceful that it was like the fall of
sea spray. Every ear and eye was given
in rapt attention some in delight, some
in troubled doubt, as if they could not
believe their senses some in spleen
and envy, and all in amazement. AS