Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-02-19


next all sweetness, and then again jus
like child in her native playfulness.
So the thoughts ran thoughts
the lovers mind as he took hi
departure. ''But through all she il
the one peerless, Incompatible darlingo
was ever the mvarying conclusion.
Night came. Flora was with II selec
party consisting of her father and moth
er, Cecil Clay, and his young brother
| Harry. Their box was located where
they were in full view of the audience
and many a lorgnette was levelled al
the beautiful girl, whose costume of pale
blue satin and ornaments of cleaning
milk-white pearls so well became hel
classical face with its circling tiara Of
golden braids.
Until the music commenced, there
was restless eagerness in the glance Of
the blue eyes, as they scanned the faces
within the amphitheatre, which looked
like bed of gay flowers of every
kind and hne-sO diversified were the
toilets of the lovers of songs there assem-
bled. Bnt when the grand opening
chorus Of the noble Oratorio commenc-
ed all nervousness vanished, and the
lovely face became as rapt and calm as
though all earthly trials were past and
gone, and had been succeeded by heav-
emily peace.
This continued until the time came
when custom allows short rest tor the
singers, and also that compliments may
be exchanged between friends. Then,
as the door of the box witch contained
Flora's party was opened and face for
which Flora had been searching ap-
peared within it, it would have been
amusing to q student of human nature
to watch the changes of expression, ac-
cordng to the effect which Reginala's
entrance produced upon the different
occupants.
Flora rose suddenly and went to meet
him, and in a low tone asked, slave you
been disappointed ("
Then when Reginald whispered joy
ously, "All is as hoped. The highest
honors have been awarded me, and the
professorship is mine. What says Flora
in answer to my query of this morning !"
The girl flushed a radiant, rosyred,
hesitated for a moment, then, with a
supreme effort, gathered up her courage,
and put mp her lips for a kiss. Mute
with astonishment for it was the first
time in all their acquaintance that the
shy girl had accorded him this priv,lege),
Reginald bent and touched the culver
ing, tender month with his own.
Flora then drew her arm through his
and led him forward from the shadow
of the curtain, which had hidden this
little scene from the audience (but not
from the surprised group within the box),
and said:
III am so happy, for Reggie has won a
noble success, and what Influences his
life will make or mar mine, as he is my
atfianced husband. | suppose it is no
news to you Mr.. Clay, so speak openly
Mamma has undoubtedly told you of
what she calls the boy and girl at
tachment between us"
Mr.. Clay murmured something about
"being hattered by Miss Wylde's conf
dence," and something else which was
probably as untelligible to himself as to
Flora.
Mrs. Wylde turned first red, and then
pale, and meanwhile had no alternative
but to accept the outstretched hand of
the gentleman whom Flora had intro
duced as her future son-in-law. Then
the music recommended and all had an
opportunity to regain at least a degree
of self-possessiOn before the last of the
oratorio.
Mr.. Wylde had always had a liking
for the young student, and being alto
gether in the dark as to the real by-play
which had been going on, he gave Regi
maid cordial shake of the hand ut part
ing, and invited him to dine with them
on the following day, saying as he did
50 ''W0men folks are very fond Of niys-
teries, when my wife has allowed such
trap to be sprung upon me. Why, man,
l had no more idea that my little Flora
had any thought Of marrying than that
| myself to be transported to another
country"
But Reginald kept his counsel, and |
only smiled and accepted the invitation. |
What passed between Flora and her
mother can be better left TO the imagi- I
nation. Suffice it to say that Flora
was forgiven, and that the wedding day