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

zee him try to make q speech in crownini
her. He can't talk well to demoiselle
and of course he can't make . speech
A bevy Of young ladies, after much in
sisting, drew the young man from hi
seclusion, and with the wreath of orang'
blossoms in hand he made obeisance to tn,
beautiful queen, and to the surprise Of all
made an address full of delicate sentiment
and courteous phrases. His beaming eyes
met Stephanie's, and look of fond affec
ton was exchanged which none saw save
themselves. 1t was more eloquent thar
all the sweet words of his little speech
His effort was greeted with burst of ap
plause, even old Mons. Delavier joining
heartily.
just then the negro servant ushered into
the parlor white-haired old gentleman,
whose frank, laughing eyes seemed to dance
at the pleasant picture that greeted them.
Mons. Delavier welcomed his old friend
DR.. Sabarie, Of Baton Rouge. They had
been boon companions in youth, and every
spring the doctor spent q week or two at
the Delavier mansion.
He explained how the steamboat had just
arrived, and he had come to the house i'm
mediately, without even dressing He
was sure Of q warm welcome, and he re-
ceived it. He had known Stephanie from
birth, and was acquainted with nearly
every one in the room
After the first salutations were over, his
eye fell upon Anatole Lamarc, who was
just then escorting Stephanie to the piano.
A change came over the countenance Of
the old doctor. He looked again and then
inquired Of the host il that was not young
tDla - n1;- uo
was told that it was. He shrugged his
shoulders, and seemed to be wrapped in
deep reflection.
Stephanie was singing gay chansonette
full of sparkling melody and Anatole was
standing beside her as the doctor and
Mons Delavier passed out into the
dining-room-
They remained there some time.
When they came out Mons Delavier
called Anatole to him, and in low voice
said: you must quit my house at once
and never return Do you understands"
There was no anger in the voice. 1t was
rather pleading than imperative. The
young man staggered and turned pale. He
held to chair for support. Stephanis
rushed toward him. There was no thought
now for Disgusting her love. The man on
whom she had placed the diadem of her
heart was suffering, was i'll, and she would
assist, would help him. This was her one
thought. Her father attempted to hold
her back, and she was not to be restrained. |
The young man trembled like an aspen |
leaf, turned TO Mons. Delavier, and in a |
voice that could be heard throughout the |
parlors demanded: "Why do you order me |
out of your hOuse."
Stephanie stood riveted to the spot. She
looked at her father pleadingly, and plac-
ing her little hand on his shoulder, said |
you did not do that, papa. MOI Say that
you did not" The blood had left her |
her cheeks, and her eyes were filled with |
tears. There was strange expression In |
her eyes, those present afterward recalled.
The father, now angered, turned upon
and forgetting everything, almost
shouted:
@Dr. Sabarie has told me all. You must
know it yourself, and then to come here.
Mons. Lamarc, you have the leprosy!
Your parents died Of It,"
The word rang through the parlors, and
\ shrek Of horror followed them. People
were rushing from the room. Nothing
would allay the excitement. But four
persons remained where they stOOd-An-
ltole, Stephanie, Mons. Delavier and the
lOctor
"If he goes, go with him." came from
the compressed lips OF the beautiful girl
@Then go!' shouted the father.
Taking the wreath of orange blossoms
rom her head and throwing shawl about
her, she took Anatole's hand, and those
,arlors never saw her again
Under her picture the wreath still
hangs, but those rooms have never been
raced by female presence since The
eprosy with which his parents died never
itself on Anatole Lamarc his son
O-day being one of the most energetic
planters on the upper coast Nine Steph-
ME Lamarc has never visited New Or
cans since.
The old house, with its closed parlors,
till stands way down on the Rue Dau-
'hine. The oleanders nod and blink over
he wall at passers-by, and of summer
fternoons the cicadB sing their dreary
nonotones in the sycamore tree in the gar
en-, as they did in 1850. The love that was
tronger than all other ties still looks with
ride and pure contentment on hand
ONE gentleman of g., who is not entirely
Unknown in aristocratic circles in Louisi-
+. Whitney in The Times
democrat