The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-09-06

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 a 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 the act Nelly contemplated, because
it was an imprudence her world would
censure. But what that world APP
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. amos. sss - liAi .
20, take her because it improves
her style Of singing SO much, and Sig
nora Demont has such charming,
sympathetic voice! / should not be
doing my duty to Nelly if I 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. !" oiiil9
With such o mother, Nelly was, not
much troubled BY any scruples OF con
science for deceiving her. f
When she reached home, she sat
down and wrote note to Herr Hern-
sheim, which she fattered herself was
a model of prudence and caution She
paid him some extravaganza compli-
ments on his voice, touched upon the
mysterious influence it had upon her,
leading her to make 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 her
the following evening, about five
o clock, at Linden Park? She would
hold a bouquet of white roses and
heartsease, and he would know her by
that. She signed herself ssFairie."
Nelly's heart beat high as the hour
drew near for the, interview. She did
not try to analyze her own feelings, but
she could not help wondering what
Herr Hernsheim would think of her,
and if he would be pleased or Disguised.
She wore her handsomest walking
dress and her most becoming hat. She
was allowed to go out when she chose,
and the only comment her mother made
was to say, languidly: aoi. fa
smelly, you ought not to wear your
handsomest hat in this damp air. The
plumes will be uncurled; but you are so
careless! Be back before dark, for we
are going to the opera, and it takes you
so long to get dressed"
She reached the park before the ap-
pointed time and promeuaded slowly
through it, holding her bouquet of roses
and heartsease very sconspicuously.
More than one of the habitues of the
park noticed tho pretty girl, her cheeks
flushed, and her eyes looking furtively
around, and they smiled to themselves,
knowing what it meant. Some one was
to meet her. easish
She passed q bench where two stout,
comfortable looking, middle-aged peo-
pie were seated, and the gentleman,
CHANGING at the flowers in her hand,
said a few words in German to his COM
panion, and then stepped in front of
Nelly. He smiled and took off his hat,
exposing partially bald head.
"Mees Fairie, tink, from dose, :"
pointing to the flowers in her hand.
She glanced at his bald head and
homely face and drew back haughtily.
He smiled. - Y't eF si
''Ah, mees, you recognize me not,
but 1 am Herr Hernsheim, and dis is
your kind note. is it notp" taking it out
Of his pocket. Soc a 4 a4
Nelly felt her head reeling. She
looked at the broad, good-natured,
shiny face before her, and the full,
middle-aged figure, and fairly gasped
for breath.
"You. Herr Hernsheimr' she stam-
mered. se
Il hope so,'' with . jolly laugh, ''if
it is not my 'doppel-ganger.' Ach,
mees, you hat me only see on de stage.
1t is deterrent. De paint and de
powder, and de Wig on my bald head,
dat makes de stage hero. Yees, yees,
it is deterrent, but / am Herr Hern-
sheim all de same--at your service, !"
making low bow.
With one great crash Nelly's senti-
mental card castle tumbled down and
so overwhelmed her in its ruins that she
was unable to collect her shattered
senses ISL - hsi.lsssisi e sn'ili
"You did wish TO ask me about some
songs" the Herr went on, quite at his
ease. ''Come wild me to my wife, - lead
ing her to the bench ON which the stout
lady was seated. sansg
"Amalia, de mees wants some songs.
My wife she teach moosic and singing,
and she has many songs at our rooms.
She will sell dem cheap. II you will
come tomorrow Amalia will hear you
sing and know what suits your voice.
Amalia smiled and nodded, and ut
tered some words in deep cultural
tones, which might have been English,
German or Chinese for what bewildered
Nelly could tell. She gazed intently
at Nelly. said something in German to
her husband, and their eyes filled with
tears. ~
"Amalia does say you are like our
Minna. She died last year, only six
teen. All, she was so heavenly goot,
so modest and lofely! She was our
youngest child. Ach Gottr'