Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-06-25

and growing to himself.
"As ridiculous and idiotic an affair as
ever heard Of. Bnt he'll get over it,
Of course he'll get over it. They all do,
in time"
For some weeks, however, Mr.. Oliver
Hawkes. hopes in this respect seemed
destined to disappointment.
Charles Albert Fitzroy was absent and
melancholy, and calmly but resolutely
declined to call on Miss Thomson, who
having just completed her education at
first-class establishment, had returned
to her aunts residence, only one block
distant from that OF Mr.. Hawkes..
Charles Albert took especial pains
never to 60 in this direction, and he
limited out, in all the lists and directories
that he could obtain, the name Of Cress-
well, and made inquiries in hope of dis
covering the stern guardians of his Ze-
leuca, and thus eventually Zeleuca her
self.
And seeing these things, Uncle Hawkes.
began to despond, especially on learning
from Mrs. Martin, Miss Thompson's aunt,
that that young lady was greatly disin-
clined to the match with Mr. Fitzroy,
and frequently declared that she would
never marry at all, but live and die an
old maid.
By some means this decision Of the
young lady came to the ears Of Fitzroy,
and inspired him with new hope.
He would visit Miss Thompson, and by
his indifference and stupidity inspire her
with such dislike Of him that no human
power could induce her to consent to ac-
cept his hand. Thus would he escape
the hateful match, while the blame Of it
could not be laid to his account.
Mr.. Oliver Hawkes. was delighted
when his nephew, with apensiye and re-
signed air, signifed his willingness to
submit to an introduction to his friends
daughter.
''rhat is right, my dear boy-that is
right~ he said, affectlonately tapping
him on the shoulder, ~ know your good
good sense would get the better of that
romantic folly, and, if you like, we win
call on the ladies this very afternoon.
I'll come home from the office on pur-
pose"
Accordingly the two gentlemen that
evening found themselves in Mrs. Mar
tins parlor, where that lady graciously
received them, and presently, at Mr..
Hawkes. request, went to summon her
niece.
| Charles Albert, with his back to the
door, affected to be profoundly absorbed
in painting, while his uncle, on the
contrary, had never before exhibited so
much nervousness.
| The slow opening of the door, and his
uncle's somewhat agitated exclamation
of Joanna, my dear" caused him to
turn around.
| There stood very pretty young lady
tall, graceful, with large brown eyes
and glory of auburn hair, with golden
lights in its waves and ripples. With a
half-frightened look, her eyes were fixed
upon Charles Albert as his uncle intro
dnced him; and he-he returned the
gaze with one which seemed to the older
gentleman almost idiotic in it's vacancy.
"The ninny! he looks like stuck pig ~
Mr.. Hawkes. thought. Then, in a whis-
per, under cover Of slight cough,
"Can't you say something's"
In obedience to which suggestion Mr..
Fitzroy spoke in an absent, bewildered
mYner:
! 'Eh-very warm day-for the season."
"Very,' echoed the young lady,
family.
'And-ahem! very late season ?"
"Quite."
Uncle Hawkes. couldn't stand it any
longer. He bounced up and walked into
the next room, whittier Mrs. Martin had
already retired, on pretense OF placing
flowers in the vase on the table. She
was as nervous and anxious as Mr..
Hawkes. himself.
''Take ME into your flower garden,
ma'am," he said, with the unceremoni-
; BUSINESS ofold acquaintance. eff / have
to stay five minutes longer in there, l.
ri have to howl outright"
Hardly had the two disappeared when
Charles Albert Fitzroy rose from his
seat, approached Miss Thompson, and in
great agitation, extended both hands.
''Zeleuca.'
And Miss Joanna Thompson raised her
large. brown. poetic eyes TO him with a