The Dillon tribune., 1886-05-29
open windows. giving, 50 to speak, a deli,


belltetl guest, his elevated chin and air Of
superiority 1T once quelling any lurking
desire of curious children to venture near
portals. Inside, the parlOrs were filled
with as rare collection Of beauty and
galiantry as could then we'll he found this
side the Atlantic. Radiant brunettes.
whose eyes were as l,lstrOls as the jewels
on their bosom. and whose exquisite grace
and wealth, Of charms bewil,lrre,l the
locker on. gave to the salon the appearance
Of a court reception.
There WAS y regal magniticence in their
superb movements and Queenly bearing
that told Of that Unborn dignity >o marked
in les Belles Creoles of Louisiana. The
occasion that brought together 81, much
loneliness was the birthday party of the
fair Steplanie l)elavicr. t,,en JUS, -. Az
only daughter. .Adored by her parents
and beloved by wide circle of friends.
she was one Of the favorteS Of al! Snciety,
and not Il few OF the beauX OF these days
had cast their eyes vainly in her direction.
Perhaps it was her wealth that na,it her
coy 10 the advances Of the young men. ol
it may have been her retiring disposition.
In any event the most garrul0,,s of gossip
ers had not as yet engaged her, ;s they
are wont to do with most charming young
ladies' But then sometimes even these
lynx-eyed matrous of society do not always
know when !. girl is really engaged. aud
this happened to- I've the case with Mile.
Stephanie.
She loved and was loved by Anatole La.
river parishes who had graduated with
distinguished honors in Paris. Monsieur
Delavier, who was nearly ~. bad wei.
coined the yonng mans proposal, but
urged, ON account Of Stephanie'$ youth,
that her engagement. TX kept tI,,irt tor a
u year at least.
Anat0le was present ut the party. fol.
lowing ever. movement If his beloved
with his great. earnest eyes. hut he seldom
approached her. that no suspicion Of their
engagement should bc aroused. tle was
satisfied to lie near her, IT, feel that subtle
influence the presence Of 4 loved Que al
ways creates. upon him. He was not fond ut
the vapid conversation of the salons. hut
his education aud travel had made him 4
deep thinker Hence it WAS. he was often
considered not particularly intellectual. a.
the world judges intellectually.
Tho merry chatter of voices, the sound
Of girlish laughter, the rippling notes Of
the piano spoke Of the happiness of that
that lively little Lucie Dorttonne sug-
gested that they should crown Stephanie
as their queen, and Immediately the vases
on the mantel were despoiled of their
orange blossoms and crown, improvised.
With the intention OF bringing out of his
retirement in one corner of the room, An
atOle. who was thought to lie diffident.
there was general call for him. Said
Lucie Dortlonne.. lit will he such fun to
see him try to make a speed, in browning
her. He can't talk well to a demoiselle,
and of course he cant make a speech
A bevy OF young ladies, after much in
sisting, drew the young man from his
seclusion, and with the wreath of orange
blossoms in hand he made Obeisance to the
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 u look Of fond utfeC
ton was exchanged which none saw save
themselves. 1t was more eloquent than
all the sweet words Of his little speech.
His effort was greeted with burst of ap-
pla,lse, even old Mons. Delavicr joining
heartily.
Just then the negro servant usherad into
the parlOra white-hnired old gentleman
| whose frank, laughing eyes seemed to dance
at the pleasant picture that greeted them.
Mons. Delavier welcomed his old friend
| DR.. Si.baric. Of Baton Rouge. They had
| been boon companions in youth and every
| spring the doctor spent II week "r two at
the Delavier mansion.
| He explained how the steamboat, had just
arrived. and he had come to the house inn
mediately, without even dressing. He
WIS sure Of II warm welcome. and he re-
ceivetl it. He had known Stephanie from
birth. and was acquainted with nearly
every one in the room.
| After the first salutatiols were over. his
eye fell upon Anutule l.amar. VIII" was
just the,. escnrting S,cphune II, the piano.
A change came over the co,,n,enance ot
the old doctor. He looked ag;,i, and then
inquired OF the hos, ii hat was not young
Anatole l.anmn'. Of l'ointr Coupee. He
was told hat ii was. lie shrugged his
shoulders. and seemed to he wrapped in
deep reflection.
Stephanic WAS singing IL gay cha,,sOnettt
full! of sparkling nel,aly and .\natnle was
stan!!h.; beside her as the doctor and
Mons, Detavier passed out into thu
dining-ruon,.
They remained there some time.
+ When they came ont Mons. Delaviel
called Anatolc to him. and in II low vOict
said: "f"n must quit my house ut once
, ami never return Do YOU unlerstand:'
, There was no anger in the voice. 1t wa.
rather pleading than imperative. Tht
young man staggered and turned pale. II,
, held I" chair for support. Stephani.
rushed toward him. There WAS no though
now tor Disgusting her love. The man OF
whom she had placed the di;.dem of he
heart was suffering. was i'll. and she woul.
assist. would help him. This was her on,
thought. Her father attempted to hole
her back, and she was not to b. restrained
v Ile Ynliuw ulul trrMhleIl like AL usl,el