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

eTh hospitality ne invited me to enter
thanking me in most voluble terms fol
my kindness to his daughter. Seeing ]
would offend by not accepting his invita-.
tion, | stepped in with them. AS usua
in these French houses, the hall led into
little barren-looking court. From this
however, We entered into an apartment
elegantly furnished.
A servant took my umbrella and hat
and the old gentlemen pushed forward a
handsome easy chair for me, seating him
self near me. The young lady disappear
ed, reappearing in little while in a
charming dinner-dress of garnet satin.
confess | was little dazed by the
sudden turn affairs had taken, and the
tete-d-tete with the old gentlemen (whose
name | ascertained to be De Chartre) was
most embarrassing, for he asked me a
score of questions about Detroit and the
people there, all Of which l, never hav-
ing been in that city, was obliged to
answer at random, or from vague reminis.
cences of what Smith had tols. me casu-
ally.
81 tried in vain to turn the subject,
and had almost given myself up to des-
perate fibbing, when chanced to perceive
that piano was behind me. During a
momentary lull in the conversation, in
which De Chartre was probably trying to
reconcile my rambling Information with
his own knowledge and conectures, |
turned to the young lady, requesting some
music
"To my relief she consented immedi-
ately, thus saving her father from any
further surprise in the way of chaotic
guessing on my part. She sang and play
ed quite prettilv, and found myself even
more prepossessed than 1 had been at
first.
after she had played several songs,
rose to go, but As did so, dinner was an
nouncet, and was urgently invited by
them both to remain. Again | saw that
to refuse would be to offend, so, in order
to preserve Smiths reputation from fur
ther damage, | accepted, resolving that
would exert my talents to the utmost in
being entertaining. You see, wanted
them to speak good word for Smith if
ever they should chance to communicate
with this Tremoine, whom | heartily
wished at the bottom of the sea.
After dinner we adjourned to the par
lor-that is the young lady and myself
the old gentlemen going off for smoke,
in which declined to join him.
"The rain, which had been mild at first
now turned into raging torrent. 1t
beat savagcly against the windows, and
the wind swept mourntully through the
court. Now and then it crept under the
doors and into the room, bringing faint
seen! of the orangeblooms that were be-
ing swept from their 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 hostness the
moments sped swiftly. became more
and more inthrallcd with her dark eyes
and her gracious manner, so typical of
the grace which has made the Creole wom-
en- celebrated 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, think he surprised
me saying some foolishly tender things to
his daughter.
"I looked at my watch A flush of
shame crcpt over me. 1t was past ten
o'clock. felt that had infringel on the
hospitality extended to me. began to
apologize, but Monsieur de Chartre stop
ped me.
"'My dear sir he said, cordially, 'you
cannot 90 out in such storm. will not
permit it. My home is large. We have
ample accommodations. Remain with us
tonight.
&c thanked him sincerely. | could not
feel grateful enough for such warm and
cordial hospitality. 1t is true indeed that
these Southcrners have the kindnest and
most hospitable hearts in the world. An
old and valued friend OF the family could
scarcely have been treated more kindly
than |, a complete stranger, save for the
slight stamp of genuineness which Tire
moine IL Leeman gave me in this most
elegant and beautiful home, every part
of which betokened the wealth and posi-
tion of the owner.
"A few moments later Jacques came to
show me to nv room With a lingering
glance, babe the young lady goodnight.
1t seemed to me that her beautiful eyes
were filled with a shadow of regret for
our brief acquaintance. Her father fol-
lowed me to the court without, giving me
several messages for Mr.. Tremoine and
other friends in Detroit, all Of which |
promised to carry faithfully. Then, with
a courtly goodnight he intrusted me to
the care of the waiting attendant.
"Nv anartmpnt was handsomely fur.
nished, in keeping with the rests of the
house. 1t was apparently back room
connected with one in front of the house
by heavy folding doors, across which
crimson portiere tell.
Jacques brought me pitcher of fresh
water and some clean towels, and then,
mumblng something in his unlntelliglble
Creole French, bowed himself out.
81 examined the room carefully, locked
all the doors except the folding one,
which | found fastened on the other side,
and went to sleep thinking what capital
Joke that was on Smith. who was undoubt-
edly rcposing beautifully in number los,
at the st. Charles, unconscious Of the
strange escapade had gotten him into.
resolved to write to the young lady as
soon as lett the city, informing her Of
nv little deception, and introducing the
original Smith, whom | was quite sure
would fall head over ears in love with her
at sight. Poor Smith! | was just map
ping out his future most beautifully, when
Morpheus seized me and carried me off
into dreamland.
] L