St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-08-04

least not all girls. Miss Kurtz had
given him an invitation to call again
and he did not know but that he would;
she appeared to be very nice girl,
but one must look out for them, they
are SO tricky.
1t was rather amusing to those who
knew the squire and his antipathies, to
notice how soon twas necessary for
him to call again on Miss Kurtz, and
it was the occasion for no little chat
ting by Wildly. The squire would look
ashamed, growl, and hastily get out OF
her way, and at the same time every
one noticed that the squire wore a
puzzled look as though he was think
ing deeply over something. If he
made frequent calls on Miss Kurtz, he
was very careful that none of his fam
lily should know it. You know it is a
very hard thing for a man to acknowl-
edge frankly that he has violated his
own precepts. And it may be said
right here that Miss Kurtz was very
estimable young lady and not without
a lively appreciation Of the humorous.
She had heard from his sister that the
squire was a sort of a woman-hater,
and all to herself she had determined
to subdue the enemy.
The squire had an awful fight with
himself, but finally asked Miss Kurtz
to accompany him to the theater. By
series of skillful questioning he man
aged to find out where each of the
household were likely to spend a GER
tain evening, and then took Miss
Kurtz as far away from them as he
could. Then, imagine his disgust,
when after getting comfortably seated
he discovered his sister and her
wretch of a husband in the box oppo-
site, coolly surveying him and his
companion through their opera
glasses. His first impulse was to get
! up and leave, but second thought told
him that that would never do. He felt
that Miss Kurtz was laughing at him,
and he looked round rather sharply
once, and was not sure but that he
caught the trace of a hastily-suppressed
smile on the face of the demure puss
at his side. He did not enjoy the per-
Torrance bit, and was greatly re-
lieved when the curtain went down for
the last time.
He did not walk home with Miss
Kurtz, but called a cab, and giving
cabby the street and number told him
to hurry up. He was bound to get
away from female companionship just
as soon as he could.
Miss Kurtz said nothing at the UNI
seemly haste. The squire did not go
home for day or two, but stopped at
the hotel. He could stand most any
thing. but he lodged the issue of hav-
ing 10 defend his former principles
against his later actions. Finally he
screwed up courage enough to return
home, and, to bis immense relief, no
one, not even Wildly, said word to
him about the theater, and he hoped it
had been forgotten, but he was doomed
to other notifications. One day after
dinner he was discussing business
question with his brother-in-law, and
to prove his point drew letter from
his pocket on unfolding which a photo
graph of Miss Kurtz dropped out upon
the table. There was general litter,
which to the poor squire was worse
than unrestrained thunder, and gather
ing up the letter and photograph he
polted out of the room. He determined
to call On Miss Kurtz that very even
ing. He must return that photograph.
OF how it came into his pocket he
did not have the least idea. He pre-
sumed he had taken it up with some
papers he had been showing to Miss
Kurtz and put it in his pocket himself.
But at any rate he must return it. He
paled at the bare thought, for he prid-
ed himself greatly on his honor.
Y The evening came and found the
squire at Miss Kurtz's home, not very
talkative, but very fdgety; but that
young lady was exceedingly pleasant
and chatty. After several Intellectual
attempts to say something, the squire
-blurted out, nervously:
s'Miss Kurtz, I.have something very
odd to say to you this evening"
Miss Kurtz blushed and said to her
self: 5s.,...
$50 soon. It can't be that I have
subdued him SO quickly" then aloud,
as the squire still hesitated: IF you
are pleased to make me your confdant,
/ shall be glad to hear what you have
to say
well, you see, Miss Kurtz, I've been
thinking that isl was going to say
-or mol have something to tell you
that I don't understand, = continued the
squire.
81 am sure, Mr. Crabtree, if can
enlighten you | shall be pleased to do
so.''
We'll, i hardly know what you will
think of me, and may be you think |
am acting strange, but I assure you
that it is something that has worried
&e great deal ever since discovered
1t.
He is going to prof Csc sure
enough" thought Miss Kurt as she