Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-06-03

From the gate-a massive iron-barred
one-a stone pave led up to the old
fashioned door.
"I feel very grateful, she said, lift
ing her big eyes to mine with shadow
of timidity in their depths which made
them all the lovlier; and she hesitated
a little, / know my father would wish
to thank you also, if-if--
IF you only knew whom to thank.
/ added, with conscious shame at my
own lack of courtesy. Now, I don't
know what deviltry prompted me to
the action, but instead of handing her
my own card gave her one of Frank
Smiths, young fellow rooming with
me at the st. Charles. drummer for
a large hat firm in Detroit. His name
graced the card in full, and also Tire
moline & Leeman, the name of the firm
he was connected with. 1t was fool
ish thing to do, yet never expected to
see the young lady again, and sup
pose it occurred to me that it would be
a good joke on Smith.
ITO my great establishment she rec
ognized the first name.
"'You must come in and see my
father she said. Mr.. Tremoine is
an old friend of ours, and he will be so
delighted to see you
Unto what kind of a scrape had l
gotten MYSELF Ideclined as courteous
ly as possible, and tried to hasten
away; but just then an old gentleman
appeared at the door, in answer to our
ring at the gate, for, as you remem-
Der, in New Orleans most of the bells
are on the front gate.
'ln few words the young lady ex-
planned the situation. With a true
Southern hospitality he invited me to
enter, thanking me in most voluble
terms for my kindness to his daugh-
ter Seeing l would offend by not ac-
cepting their invitation, l stepped in
with them. As usual in these French
houses, the hall led into little barren
looking court From this, however,
we entered into an apartment that
was elegantly furnished.
"a servant took my umbrella and
hat, and the old gentleman pushed for
ward a handsome easy-chair for me,
seating himself near me- The young
lady disappeared, reappearing in lit
tie while in charming dinner-dress OF
garnet satin.
81 confess was little dazed by the
sudden turn affairs had taken, and the
tete-a-tete with the gentleman, whose
name | ascertained to be De Chartre,
was not embarrassing, for he asked me
a score of questions about Detroit and
the people there, all of which l, never
having been in that city, was obliged
to answer at random, or from vague
"reminiscences of what Smith had told
me casually,
81 tried in vain to turn the subject
and had almost given myself up to des
perate fibbing when CHANGED to per-
ceive that piano was behind me-
During momentary lull in the CONVEX
sation, in which De Chartre was prob
ably trying to reconcile my rambling
information with his own knowledge
and conjectures, l turned to the young
lady, requesting some music.
ITO my relief she consented imme
diately, thus saving her father from
any further surprises in the way o
chaotic guessing on my part. She SANG
and played quite prettily, and l foun(
myself even more prepossessed than
had been at first.
after she had played several song
| arose to 60, but as l did so Dime
was announced, and | was urgentl,
invited by them both to remain. Again
/ saw that to refuse would be to offend
so, in order to preserve Smiths reputa
ton from further damage, accepted
resolving that lwould exert my talent
to the utmost in being entertaining
You see, | wanted them to speak
good word for Smith if ever the
should chance to communicate wit
this Tremoine, whom l heartily wishe'
at the bottom of the sea.
"The dinner was served IN goo,
style, and quite enjoyed by Smith, VIII
was sometimes rather dilatory in re
spending to his name, but who man
aged to keep the upper hand in tn
conversation, not allowing the old gen
tleman single gap in which to inser
his inquiries about Detroit and the Ire
moines.
after dinner we adjourned to tn
parlor-that is, the young lady an
myself old gentleman going o
for a smoke. in which | declined t
join him.
"The rain which had been mild a
first, now turned into raging torrent
1t beat savagely against the windows
and the wind swept mournfully throug
the court Now and then it crept III
der the doors and into the room, bring
ing faint scent of the orange-bloom
that were being swept fromItheir stem
on the bending trees without. But tn
inclemcncy of the weather outside onl
made the comfort and 1.i, htness Of tn
apartment seem more perfect.
with such a charming hostess tn
moments sped swiftly. l became nor
and more enthralled with her dark eye
and her gracious manners, so typics
of the grace which has made the creol
women celebrated. Besides, the novelt
of the situation made it seem tenfol
more attractive. l began to trembl
vaguely for Smiths peace of mind.
would be superhuman for man to II
sist the fascination of the lovely creole
l don't know to what length | migt
have committed myself, had not tn
door opened and Monsieur De Chartr
once more appeared upon the scene
As it was, think he surprised me say
/ ing some foolishly tender things to HI
daughter.
81 looked at my watch. A flush {
shame crept over me. 1t was past tie
/. o'clock. l felt that l had infringed o
, the hospitality extended to me. l b,
gan to apologize, but Monsieur d
Chartre stopped me.
"'My dear SIR he said, cordially
, you can not go out in such storm.
! will not permit it. My home is larg,
, We have ample accommodations. r,
, main with us tonight
II