The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-08-25

English maid, so young, so genteel ant
demure, with his eye? He could no
tell. He saw her pause outside anothe
window, where the Marquis de Raft
was taking the air, the dance beins
over, and it seemed to the observer tina
the two exchanged glance, smile, /,
swift signal. before the girl disappeared
around the corner of the house.
I'VE only lack the gallantries of no
blemen and ladies' maids to complete
the ruin of our Silver Spring, - muttered
this stern moralist, whose ideas were SC
very old-fashioned. He sought his OWL
chamber gloomily, for in addition to
perturbation of mind, owing to having
his sylvan retreat invaded by the Philis.
tines Of fashion, he was literally broken
by bodily fatigue. He had rambled
many miles that day, botanizing in the
valleys. and seeking geological speci-
mems on adjacent hills. His shoes were
dusty, his raiment brier-torn, his loose
| sack-coat freighted with the rubbish
precious to the savant in the wide ex-
ternal pockets, while rheumatic twinges
in knee and back reminded him that he
was no longeryoung thereby increasing
his evaporation. Then to return to a
hotel where all the world was dancing,
and one woman was decked like an
idol with seyenty-five thousand dollars
worth of diamonds. The Professor
cup of bitterness brimmed over at these
reflections. The room was stifiingly
hot, but he lighted his lamp, and forced
himself TO read an extract from Dr.
Dollinger, while moths Numbered about
the flame, frying themselves to condi-
ton of unpleasant crispness, and mos
quitoes stung his temples. His watch
marked midnight, and still the move
ment of the ballroom and the twang of
musical instruments reached his ear,
precluding the possibility of sleep.
Squeak, squeak, fiddles! Boom
away, bass-yiols! Keep it up until
morning, by all means. l wonder If
that Is the music of the future? A-a-h.~
Here the listener clinched his teeth,
with a truly diabolical expression of
countenance, as the violins shuddered
over his nervous system, snatched up
his broad felt hat, and strobe out-of-
doors, actuated by the impulse of es-
cape.
The night was sultry and oppressive.
The Professor breathed sigh of relief
as he quilted the vicinity of the hotel,
which sparkled with many lights
through the trees like an ogre's eye.
Darkness and the obscurity of shrub
berry welcomed him abroad at this I'M
usual hour. He strolled about the
gravel paths, tanning himself with his
hat, and paused beneath the projecting
roof of the ornamented kiosque Of the
Silver Spring.
''There will be thunderstorm be-
fore morning." soliloquized the Profess
sor, replacing his hat.
All was deliciously still here, and far
below, guarded by the encircling basin,
bubbled the Silver Spring. cool and
limpid, source of health, as the Pro-
fessor firmly believed. Had not the
nymph of the fountain spread her wings
in startled flight in the disastrous change
from rural tranquility to fashionable
resort? The Professor leaned ON the
parapet, and peered into the crystal |
depths of the spring, musing in this |
vein. As he did so he perceived two
persons advancing from opposite di- |
rections to meet few yards distant |
from himself. They proved to be man |
and a woman, and they scarcely paused |
before separating again with the same
rapidity Of movement as they had met
'.Wait for me, said the woman. II
shall have to manage, to get away at
ALL"
Il will wait until morning. replied
he man.
''She is sure to dance to the very last,
Tou know" added the woman.
Don't lose your head, that's ALL
the man.
IL lose my head, ;ndeed!'' retorted
he woman, whose voice and bearing
we're youthful.
The Professor moved slowly away.
scarcely needing these words waited to
lis ear by passing breeze. At an
,ngle of the path was q rustic bench
,eneath larch-tree, known as Prof.
dorton's fayorite seat. Hithcr he di-
ected his steps in an irritated mood
md sank down ON it in sheer WEAKNESS.
The scent of flowers reached him, while
he foliage seemed TO spread above him
fragrant robes of darkness Crate
III repose succeeded noise and light,
ulling all his senses to soft oblivion; he
ell asleep.
He was awakened by terrific peal
4 thunder, and opened his eyes with a
ewildered uncertainty as to surround
ne objects. The trees swayed wildly
the rising wind; few large drops Of
ain fell heavily among the leaves:
ghtning quivered on the horizon. Sud-
emily a female form bent over him,
ONE small object was thrust into his
and, and voice whispered in his ear:
IL am early. She had headache. | I
.uIck! take them, or l shall be missed. -
The thunder rolled. the trees swayed. | !;
ne woman vanished. Prof. Horton
linked several times and opened his
louth to speak, then closed his lips
'fnout sound: The object thus unex- E
ectedly consigned to his care was a :
nall leather baU scarpolv moro fbau | r