Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-01-20

that, as some peoples effrontery was
disgusting to al decent people, 1t might
be well for them to take pity on those
who were purposely detained at GER
tain stand and carry theirilowers about.
So Flora's fair nymphs came out
of their neglected bowers and fitted art
lessly hither and thither with an ella
borately studied who'll buy y ex-
preston on their various faces, and full
baskets OF boutonniers in their hands.
TIME thought her success in getting
names had melted the leo, and the girls
were gathering about to congratulate
her, but did not even seem to see her, so
busily were they pinning the bouton-
nieres to the coats of her patrons.
The Commodore" as the rest Of his
party called one of their number, was
easily ensared. Not only did he submit
to being ornamented, bnt he made anx-
ious inquiries for the larger bouquets,
and broke off his gay little converse
ton with TIME to rush off to the floral
temple with one Of its fair nymphs.
"'He must be remarkably charitable
man." was her little remark aside to
the rector, as the commodore proceeded
to take unlimited shares in the auto
graph album.
The rector had been watching the
frank, highbred face Of the young fel-
low, and, unworthy as he was, he knew
enough to trust him so he paid no heed
to the mods and winks from his wife
across the hall, who was being informed
by the able first directrcss of the dan
ger a girl in Tinie's peculiar position
ran from tho over-familiarity Of the
strange young man.
Bobby, the candid young brother,
lowered about Times stand, hoping for
a recognition from his friend Of the day
before but much scrubbing, haircut
ting and clothes-brushing had so trans
formed the ingenious youth that he
passed unrecognized till he forced him
into notice by q whispered demand to
know if his sister wasn't as he said,
eleventy thousand times handsomer
than those old cats who wouldn't speak
to her because her mother was a wash
erwoman.
The commodore's bewilderment at tho
question only lasted o moment. Then he
saw it clearly. This pretty girl, with
her wildrose face and shy, bewitehing
ways, was the abused sister he had al
ready felt a chivalrous pity for when her
brother told her story. He remembered
it all now-the old, worn-out dress, the
pretty white apron that was to cover it
and what fascinating little apron it
was, all covered with rufiles and putfles
and flummery, as his untutored mascu-
line tongue would have described it.
1t must be that very apron that was
playing the mischief with him, for he
had never been so fascinated by any girl
before. Suddenly a wild desire to pos
sess the irresistible bit Of property came
over him. Would she sell it for sweet
charity's sake.
Then the cruelty of securing it, and
leaving her to the modification Of expo
sing the rusty merino unprotected by its
friendly shelter, rushed over him, and
he took Bob into q short consultation,
which resulted in an interview with the
majestic first directress, who was prom
enading the hall with the bland manner
Of shop walker, or Of one who mali
ciously holds levee, but keeps an eye
on the guests that they escape not with
the spoons.
The suave lady, little guessing for
whom it was destined, assisted him to
select from one of the tables an apron OF
far more elegant character than the one
he coveted; and he, with Bobby's assis.
lance, began to negotiate an exchange
of aprons, with ten dollars to boot, to be
added to the fair receipts.
TIME flushed up at the offer, but the
bystanders urged her to accept it, and
even the clergyman whispered his ap.
proval.
She couldn't 60 to church without the
ribbon she had plucked from her hat to
adorn the apron, was the hesitating con-
fession she whispered back; which whis'
per being overheard by Bob, he speedily
communicated to his new friend, who
surprised him by being too stingy to sur
render the ribbons, but begged to be al
lowed to add to the exchange whole
belt of bonnet ribbon, to be procured il
the morning, when the sun and the vii
lace milliner made the usual simulta