The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-05-19

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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
so many blocks. Twas 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 50 that the points pro-
jected upward, a sure safeguard
against marauders. As usual, high
balcony graced 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-lf--
"If you only knew whom to thank,
I 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 l gave her one of Frank
Smiths, a young fellow rooming with
me at the St. Charles. a drummer for
large hat firm in Detroit. His name
graced the card in full, and also Ire
moine & Leeman. the name of the firm
he was connected with. 1t was fool
ish thing to do, yet l 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 scrape had !
gotten myself? declined as courteous
ly 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, as 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 v0luble
terms for my kindness to his daugh.
ter. Seeing l would offend by not ac.
cepting their invitation. / 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 thai
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 charming dinner-dress OF
garnet satin.
81 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 mt
score of questions about Detroit ant
the people there, all of which l, never
having been in that city, was obligeC
to answer at random, or from vague
"reminiscences of what Smith had tolt
me casually.
al tried in vain to turn the subject
and had almost given myself up to DIES
perate fibbing when CHANGED to per
ceive that piano was behind me
During mOmentary lull in the CONVEX
sation, in which De Chartre was prob
ably trying to reconcile my ramblin!
information with his own knowledge
and conjectures, l turned to the youn:
lady. requesting some music.
ITO my relief she consented imme
diately, thus saving her father from
any further surprises in the way o
chaotic guessing on my part. She san;
and played quite prettily, and foun'
myself even more prepossessed than
had been at first.
AFTER she had played several song
l arose to 60, but as l did so Dime
was announced, and | was Urgent
invited by them both to remain. Agai
l saw that to refuse would be to offend
so, in order to preserve Smiths reputs
ton from further damage, accepted
resolving that would exert my talent
to the utmost in being entertaining
You see, wanted them to speak
good word for Smith if ever the
should chance to communicate wit
this Tremoine, whom l heartily wishe
at the bottom of the sea.
"The dinner was served IN goo
style, and quite enjoyed by Smith, VIII
was sometimes rather dilatory in RI
spending to his name, but who mar
aged to keep the upper hand in tn
conversation, not allowing the old gel
tleman a single gap in which to insel
his inquiries about Detroit and the Tr,
mOines.
AFTER dinner we adjourned to th
parlor-that is, the young lady an
myself-the old gentleman going o
for a smoke. in which l declined
join him.
1.-The rain which Ssd been mild ;
first, now turned into raging torren
1t beat savagely against the window
and the wind swept mournfully throug
the court. Now and then it crept III
der the doors and into the room, brin;
ing faint scent of the Orange-bloom
that were being swept fromltheir stem
on the bending trees without. But Il
inclemency of the weather outside on
: made the comfort and brightness of IL
! apartment seem more perfect.
with such charming hostess Il
moments sped swiftly. l became MOI
, and more enthralled with her dark ey'
oud her yracious manners sO tvpic