Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-05-20

to be the same. UncOnSclOuSly we
walked on, the young lady by almost
imperceptible guidance directing our
footsteps. We walked along the Rue
ROYAL, quite into the heart of the old
French town. the young lady scarcely
seeming aware of the fact that we had
traversed so many blocks. was too
delighted with her bright conversation
and naivete to wish to undeceive her,
and SO we walked along until she
stopped suddenly in front of one of
those gloomy French houses, SO dreary
in exterior appearance, but often beau
tiful and gay within. A high wall sur
rounded the dwelling, surmounted by
nails driven in so that the points pro-
jected upward, a sure safeguard
against marauders. As usual, high
balcony graccd the front of the house.
From the gate-a massive iron-barred
one-a stone pave led up to the old
fashioned door.
81 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,
l added, with conscious shame at my
own lack of courtesy. Now, l 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
large hat firm in Detroit. His name
graced the card in full, and also Tire
moline 4 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 l 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
Into what kind of a scrape had l
gotten myself? Ideclined as courteous
~ 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, rs 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 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 handsome easy-chair for me,
seating himself near me. The young
lady disappeared. reappearing in a lit
tie while in a charming dinner-dress of
garnet satin.
Il confess l 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
ii 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.
Il tried in vain to turn the subject,
and had almost given myself up to des-
perate tibbing when CHANGED to per-
ceive that a 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.
40 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 l
had been at first.
After she had played several songs
| arose to go, but as | 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, l 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.
eyed to keep the upper hand in the
conversation, not allowing the old gen.
tleman a 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 ladys and
myself-the old gentleman going off
for smoke. in which l declined to
join him.
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 un-
der the doors and into the room. bring