The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-06-03

"
thoughtful look in his dark eyes
Why, yes, of course"
BY all means"
Eugene Carthon and his sister looked
eagerly at the handsome blonde in front
of them
They had been talking about the New
Orleans exposition, which all had visited
the winter before, and naturally their CON
versation had drittcd into personal rem
iniscences and criticisms on the ways and
manners of the people of that beautiful
Southern city.
"Did You really have an adventure"
asked Nell, evcing him questioninglv
from under her long dark lashes They
had intended to meet in the Crescent city,
but through some misunderstanding the
Carthon family had missed him. Nell
had always felt little aggrieved over
this, just as if John had really been to
blame in the matter, and all allusion to
their ojourn in the South brought back
that vague feeling of disappointment
which had mingled itself with all her en-
joyments while there.
Not that she cared anything for John
bright. Oh, no; not even to herself did
she ever admit that. But then he was
Eugene's most intimate friend, and he was
such a bright companionable fellow, how
could she help liking him little? "just
for Eugene's sake, you know" She sin
cerely believed that it was her love for
her brother that made her so solicitous al
ways for his friends comfort and so anx-
ious to make him always feel at home and
thoroughly welcome in her fathers house
"Well, 60 on with your story" said
Eugene, lighting cigarette, with his sis
tc''s permission, and putting away cNHect-
tantly. "l'Il be getting drowsy, present
ly, If you don't wake me up with your
thrilling episode"
"Wcll John twirle1 his blond mus
tachc rttectively, ignoring the last re-
mark" was walking down Canal street
one afternoon, when it began to rain, not
violently, but enough to make man feel
uncomfortable, and the feathers on a
woman's bonnet limp. Fortunately had
an umbrella, which of course, | immedi-
atelv raised just as | did so young
lady came out OF the large dry goods
stores behind me. She stood rreSsolntc
for moment As though non-plussed by
the rain, yet an evident anxiety possessed
her to reach the car.
"Instantly found myself in strange
dilemma. What should do? There was
young lady, delicate and beautiful, richly
attired in garments which the rain would
certainly damage, without the slightest
protection from the elements; while |,
not three feet distant, was possessed of All
umbrella amply large enough to shelter
two. 1t seemed like piece of imperti-
nence, yet on the impulse of the moment
mustered all my gallantry, and stepping
forward, offered to escort her to the car.
"To my surprise, and | must say pleas
ure, she accepted gratefully and We walk
ed TO the next corner to meet the car.
noted then the extreme lOveliness of her
beauty, which was of the pure Creole
type, and the marvellous finish of her toi-
let, which showed in it's richness of col
oring the Southern taste. could not
censure her for her hesitation in exposing
herself to the disastrous effects of the rain.
"When we reached the corner there
was no car" John continued. "Being
in 'Mardi-gras time, there was always
more or less delay. When the car did ar
rive, it was so crowded there was not a
toothold. The next and the next proved
to be the same Unconsciously We walk
ed on, the young lady by an almost i'm
perceptible guidance directing our foot
steps. 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. Twas too delighted with
her bright conversation and naivete to
undeceivc 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 beautiful
and gay within A high wall surrounded
the dwelling, surmounted by nails driven
in SO that the points projected upward,
a sure safeguard against marauders. As
usual, high balcony graced the front
of the house. From the gate-a massive
iron-barrel one-a stone pave led up to
the old fashioned door.
"I feel very grateful she said, lifting
her big eyes to mine with a shadow OF
timidity which made them all the lovelier :;
and Size hesitated little. Il 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, | don't
know what 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 firm in Detroit.
His name graced the card in full, and
'Tremoine & Leeman,' the name of the
firm he was connected with. 1t was a
foolish thing to do, yet, l never expected
to zee the yo,ng lady again. and | sup
pose it occurred to me that it would be a
good joke on Smith.
"To my great astonishment, she recog-
nized the firm name.
"sYou must come in and see my father,
she said. Mr.. TremOine ia an old friend
of ours, and he will be so delighted TO see
you
"Into what kind of scrape had got
ten myself? l declined as courteously as
possible, trying to hasten away; but just
then an old gentlemen appeared at the
door, in answer to our ring at the gate,
for, as you remember, in New Orleans
most of the bells are on the front gate.
ain q few words the young lady ex-
plain the situation. With true South