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

French classroom in the Watertown
Seminary for young ladies. At that
hour-noon recess-they were cOmpar-
atively alone, and were discussing >
subject of great apparent interest to one
of them at least.
20 girls. he was lovely last night"
cried pretty Nelly Bascombe, clasping
her hands and raising her eyes theat-
rically to the ceiling. ''You know the
opera was Lucia di iLammermoor,' and
he was Edgdrdo. In the last scene,
when he uttered the words, Fra peco a
me recorer0,' in that sorrowful, de-
licious voice of his, felt like kneeling
down at his feet and crying my eyes
out. But l threw him beautiful bou-
quet. all Cornelia Cook and Mareschal
Mel rosebuds, mixed with stephanotis,
and he looked up at our box with such
. heavenly smile."
s.He sings very WE'LL" said Clara
Newell, coolly; ..but he's rather stout.
and think you would look rather fool
ish kneeling before him."
30, but then, you are not musical
enthusiast and full of intense sentiment,
like Nelly here" said Marcia Stanley.
with her provoking satirical smile. ''Of
course he's adorable and all that on the
stage, and as Nelly is not likely to see
him off it. perhaps she can cherish her
sentiment without harm to anybody" "
Nelly colored to the roots of her hair.
Marcia's satirical speeches always
rasped her, and there never had been
any love between them.
'.Why can't I see him off the stage,
if l choose?" she cried, angrily. I'll
wager two pairs of gloves that before
the end of this week will speak to
Herr Hernsheim. and will bring proof
that I have done it, so that it can't be
disputed
''It will have to be very strong proof,
nv dear" drawled Marcia, with her
aggravating laugh. ''You' re not likely
to meet him 1T your mothers house,
and where then. oh where, my love?''
"Never do you mind about where, "
Nelly answered. angrily. ''Please get
the gloves ready for me by next Sun
day."
Marcia laughed and sauntered out oi
the room.
..rm astonished, Nelly" said he,
friend Clara, when they were alone
"You allow that girl always to provoke
you into saying and doing imprnden1
things. That's what she wants. But
this has been the worst of all. You
certainly did not mean what you said
know you are rash and imprudent
but YOU can't mean to seek an inter
view with an opera-singer J"
s.But certainly do mean it." Nelly
answered. Il like to do daring things,
and I'm not the coward you are, m.
dear Lady Prude. Where's the harm
of exchanging few words with Herr
Hernsheim, I'd like to know?"
IF you spoke to the man when Will
your parents, or at your father house
there would be no harm; but he is no
likely to be invited there. Only thinl
of meeting stranger. and an opera
singer, clandestinely. and you . schoo
girl. too. Why. Nelly; don't commi
such a folly, and such m improper one
besides"
II thought it was agreed I was aver,
improper GIRL" Nelly said, with :
mutinous smile on her pretty lips
Then why do you throw the propri
eties in my face? I'm going to win m.
wager from that insolent girl as sure a
nv name is Nelly Bascombe!'
land that insolent girl, As you cal
her, will be rejoiced to pay her wage
when she knows, or suspects, hotU yo'
have won it.
s.Well, 1 don't know, nor you, either
:. hou it is to be won, but where there's ,
~kfl, there's way, and I'll find tn
way"
20 Nelly! Nelly" demonstrated
Clara
land o Clara! Clara! don't make ,
mountain out of = mole-hill! Jus
trust me to take care of myself.
promise you I'll be just As particula
in every word say IS if the who'll
world heard me. It's just for = froli
after all, and I'm not going to be
coward and back out now"
Clara sighed, but she knew her VI
full friend too well to say more at tina
moment. Nevertheless, in spite q
Nellv's boasts, her friends words CAV
her unpleasant feelings Of uneasines:
She repeated to herself that Clara W.
prudish. and, brought up by an old
maid aunt, hsd strained ideas OF PR