Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-06-05


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 true
Southern hospitality he invited me to
enter, thanking me in most voluble
terms for my kindness to his daugh-
ter. Seeing 1 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 handsome easy-chair for me,
seating himself near me. The young
lady disappeared, reappearing in a lit
tie while in charming dinner-dress of
garnet satin.
Il confess was q 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 /, never
having been in that city, was obliged
to answer at random, or from vague
"reminiscences of what Smith had told
me casually.
Il tried in vain to turn the subject,
and had almost given myselfup to des-
perate tibbing when l CHANGED to per-
ceiye that a piano was behind me.
During momentary luil in the CONVEX
sation, in which De Chartre was prob
ably trying to reconcile my rambling
information with his own knowledge
and conjectures, / turned to the young
lady. requesting some music.
TO my relief she consented imme-
diately. thus saving her father from
any further surprises in the way of
chaotic guessing on my part. She sang
and played quite prettily. and found
myself even more prepossessed than
had been at first.
"After she had played several songs
arose to 90. but as l did so dinner
was announced, and | was urgently
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 would exert my talents
to the utmost in being entertaining.
You see, wanted them to speak a
good word for Smith if ever they
should chance to communicate with
this Tremoine, whom heartily wished
at the bottom of the sea-
1.-The dinner was served IN good
style, and quite enjoyed by Smith, who
was sometimes rather dilatory in re-
spending to his name, but who man.
aged to keep the upper hand in the
conversation, not allowing the old gen
tleman single gap in which to insert
his inquiries about Detroit and the Ire
MONIES.
AFTER dinner We adjourned to the
parlor-that is, the young lady and
myself-the old gentleman going of
for a smoke, in which l declined to
join him.
1.-The rain which had been mild at
first, now turned into raging torrent.
1t beat savagely against the windows,
and the wind swept mournfully through
the court. Now and then it crept I'M
der the doors and into the room, bring
ing faint scent of the orange-blOoms
that were being swept fromltheir stems
on the bending trees without. But the
inclemency of the weather outside only
made the comfort and brightness of the
apartment seem more perfect.
with such charming hostess the
moments sped swiftly. l became more
and more enthralled with her dark eyes
and her gracious manners, so typical
of the grace which has made the creole
women celebrated. Besides, the novelty
of the situation made it seem tenfold
more attractive. l began to tremble
vaguely for Smiths peace of mind. 1t
would be superhuman for man to re-
sist the fascination of the lovely creole.
l don't know to what length might
have committed myself, had not the
door opened and Monsieur De Chartre
once more appeared upon the scene.
As it was, j think he surprised me say
ing some foolishly tender things to his
daughter.
al looked at my watch. A flush of
shame crept over me. 1t was past ten
o'clock. 1 felt that had infringed on
the hospitality extended to me. l be-
gan to apologize, but Monsieur DE
Chartre stoppcu ME.
my dear sir, he said, cordially,
you can not go out in such storm. l
will not permit it. My home is large.
We have ample accommodations. Re-
main with us tonight
Il hesitated a moment; the rain
beating on the window-pane seemed
dismal enough. Besides, l was in y
part of the city with which l was I'M
familiar l might lose my way and
wander about those narrow streets for
hours; and then blood-curdling tales
came back to me of strangers who had
been robbed and half murdered in those
dark thoroughfares. l had valuable
watch and chain and quite sum OF
money about me, which l would not
care to lose. l confess the idea of
venturing out into that pitiless storm.
in the heart of the high-walled, mystic
rious French town, unprotected by
weapon of any sort, rather dismayed
me. Yet l remembered that l had
made arrangements to leave the city in
the morning. and l intimated as much
to Monsieur De Chartre.
"sThat will not incommode us at all.
he said. politely. i will leave word
with one of the servants to unlatch the
door and gate at five O'Clock. You can
rise then and leave the house at your
pleasure. II you desire cup OF coffee
Jacques will have it ready for you.
II thanked him sincerely. | could
not feel grateful enough for such
warm and cordial hospitality. 1t is
true indeed that these Southerners have
the kindest and most hospitable hearts
in the world. An old and valued friend
of the family could scarcely have been
treated more kindly than l, complete
stranger. save for the slight stamp of
commences which 'Tremoine & Lee
man gave me in this most elegant and
beautiful home, every part of which
betokened the wealth and position of
the owner.
"a few moments later Jacques came
to show me to my room. With n ling
cring glance l babe the young lady
goodnight 1t seemed 10 me that her
beautiful ewes were filed with shad-
ow of regret for our brief acquaintance.
Her father followed me to the court
without. after giving me several mes
sages for Mr. Tremoine and other
friends in Detroit, all of which l prom
ised to carry faithfully. Then with a
courtly goodnight he intrusted me to
the care of the waiting African Attend
ant
MY apartment was handsomely fur
nished. in keeping with the rest of the
house. II WAS apparently a back room