St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-08-16

that the imprudencc she contemplated
was wrong, and would injure her
greatly if it became known.
But then her silly head was full of
the noble looks and magnificent voice
of the singer, and she thought how
romantic it would be if he should fall
victim to her beauty, and address his
impassioned songs from the stage to
her in the audience. In fact, there is
no telling how many foolish, senti-
mental ideas passed through her mind.
But how was she 10 win her wager?
There was no possible chance at Water
town Seminary, where the strictest
surveillance was exercised over the
girls, for her to meet the singer, but
Nelly was to return home the following
Friday and remain until Monday morn
ing. There she knew she could do as
she pleased.
Her mother was woman devoted to
society. and beyond paying particular
attention to her daughters dress and
manners, did not trouble herself about
her moral training. She would have
been very much shocked had she known
of tho act Nelly contemplated, because
it was an imprudence her world would
censure. But what that world ap-
proved must be right and proper. A
friend of hers once demonstrated with
her for taking Nelly to an opera in
which the moral tone was more than
questionable.
80, take her because it improves
her style of singing SO much, and Sig
nora Demont has such a charming,
sympathetic voice! l should not be
doing nv duty to Nelly if did not give
her every advantage, and the opera is
the best musical teacher. As for i'm
propriety, everybody goes, and every
body is charmed"
With such mother, Nelly was not
much troubled by any scruples OF con
science for dcceiving her.
When she reached home, she sat
down and wrote a note to Herr Hern.
sheim, which she fattered herself was
a model of prudence and caution. She
paid him some extravagant compli'
ments on his voice. touched upon the
mysterious influence it had upon her
leading her to make q request to him
She wished to express in person the
qualification he had given her. and con
suit him about some songs she wished
to get for herself Would he meet heI
the following evening, about five
O clock, at Linden Park? She would
hold bouquet of white roses ant
| heartsease, and he would know her by
that. She signed herself "Fairie."
Nelly's heart beat high as the honl
drew near for the interview. She did
not try to analyze her own feelings. bu
she could not help wondering wha
Herr Hernsheim would think of her
and if he would be pleased or disgusted
She wore her handsomest walking
dress and her most becoming hat. Sh'
was allowed to go out when she chose
and the only comment her mother mad'
was to say. languidly:~
Nelly, you ought not to wear you
handsomest hat in this damp air. Th,
plumes will be uncurled; but you are 81
careless! Be back before dark. for WI
are going to the opera, and it takes yo'
so long to get dressed. "
She reached the park before the ap
pointed time and promenaded slowl.
through it, holding her bouquet OF rose
and heartsease very conspicuously
More than one of the habitues of tn
park noticed the pretty girl, her cheek
flushed. and her eyes looking furtivel..
around, and they smiled to themselves
knowing what it meant. Some one wa
to meet her.
She passed bench where two stout
comfortable looking, middle-aged pee
pie were seated, and the gentleman
glancing at the flowers in her hant
said few words in German to his com
panion, and then stepped in front {
Nelly. He smiled and took off his hal
exposing a partially bald head.
s.Mees Fairie, [ tink, from dose,
pointing to the flowers in her hand.
She glanced at his bald head an
homely face and drew back haughtily
He smiled.
"Ah, mees, You recognize me no
; but am Herr Hernsheim, and dis
your kind note, is it not?" taking it OF
of his pocket.
Nelly felt her head reeling. Sh
looked at the broad, good-naturet
shiny face before her, and the full
middle-aged figure, and fairly gaspe
, for breath.
"You. Herr Hernsheimr' she stan
mered.
! Il hope so." with jolly laugh, ''
it is not my 'doppel-ganger: Acl
mees, you haf me only see on de stag,
, 1t is deterrent. De paint and d
powder, and lie Wig on my bald heae
dat makes de stage hero. Yees. zee
it is deterrent, but 1 am Herr Herr
= sheim all de same-at your service,
) making low bow.
With one great crash Nelly's sent
mental card castle tumbled down ar
: SO overwhelmed her in its ruins that 81
, was unable to collect her shattere
senses.
"You did wish to ask me about son
songs" the Herr went on, quite at b
, ease. ..Come wild me to my wife. y leaa
ing her to the bench on which the stol
/ lady was seated.
.:Amalia, de mees wants some song
! Nv wife she teach moosic and singing
l and she has many songs at our room
She will sell dem cheap. II you vi
r come tomorrow Amalis will hear ye
3 sing and know what suits your voice.
! Amalia smiled and nodded. and u
. tered some words in deep guttur
tones, which might have been Englis
German or Chinese for what bewildere
/ Nelly could tell. She gazed intent
:,~