The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-22

ANU WHaC QOeS ne cdlL Gno OkCSS'
cried Lefty, grown suddenly brave,
land what is this belt for, | wonder?'
THAT is to fasten the man to him,
and heis down on the Entrance-list as
Man on Original Hobby-horse," re-
piled Mrs. Bonar.
"He ought to go as some mute in
glorious Milton" quoted Nelly, laugh
ing. s'1hat bust is 80 funny, sewed on
to such a figure"
At the tea-table Charlie failed to ap-
pear, but a maid brought in a note that
had been left. Mrs. Bonar read it, and
said, with some disappointment:
what a pity, girls, Charlie can't
return till late. He has sent to say he
has been put on the committee of the
Tuque Bleu Tobogganing Club and
he will have to take visitors down the
Slide all the evening. I shall have
tie send you back in a cab"
"Never mind" Lefty said. "Papa
| told me to be sure to bring back his
silver-fox coat and cape that he left
here yesterday. The thaw did not
last long, and now he needs them
again.
But how paint the girls chagrin
when not a cab was to be found on the
stand? Mrs. Bonar sent her maid four
streets off to get one, but she returned
unsuccessful. AS to the horse-cars.
each one that passed was crammed
like ahox of sardines-nay, more, men
were hanging IN the rails behind. To
such straits are the citizens of Mon
treal reduced in Carnival time.
Lefty was almost in tears; Nelly sat
still in silent desperation; Mrs. Bonar
wrung her hands.
Whatever shall we do if we don't
get a cab? You ought to be dressing
for the ball. Oh, if I could only get q
man to send home with you!"
Nelly sprang up suddenly.
Sand so you can, auntiew she cried,
with a laugh of inspiration; "Charlie's
straw-naan, of course"
Mrs. Bonar looked bewildered, then
demonstrated feebly as Nelly proceeded
to carry out her design; but the kind
soul would have been almost as disap-
pointed as the girls themselves had
they missed the ball. AS to Nelly, she
argued away all objections. whilst she
attired our friend in her uncle's cap
and coat, and fastened a walking-stick
to his mitten.I
''Now, Lefty, take the other arm!"
she cried; land, auntie, stand just
there and tell US if he don't look the
image of uncle"
Against her will Mrs. Bonar laugh
ed. She could not deny ii, but was
loath to countenance such a freak.
They were now in high spirits, and
!, Carried their escort downstairs with
ease.
'|The Judge is as light as a feather!"
cried Nelly, gleefully. 1--WE car hold
him all the way home, and never get
tired. We a go along the side
streets, which (excuse me for saying
so. auntie) ar badly lighted, and no
one will know the dear old man isn't
quite himself"
"Nelly!" cried Mrs. Bonar, rather
scandalized.
Settle girls sailed forth with their
doughty protector, and all went merrily
about two-thirds~of the way; but a
good deal of alarm they both felt be-
fore they reached their lodgings.
These were situated in a very quiet
street, and shortly after turning the
corner. the girls heard footsteps behind
them; a nan was approaching them.
And now what alarmed the two was
the strange conduct of the newcomer.
He came Gap rapidly, as If about -
greet them; butjust at this point he
sham Judge stumbled badly. and the
girls had as muc4 as they could do to
keep him in an erect position. The
street led up the hill; the pavement
1 was covered with ice, which Nelly es-
pecially found difficult to walk on.
The judges arm to which she chung.
| alas, could afford no assistance; furth-
err, the effort to keep him straight
heightened the embarrassing situa-
ton.
''Oh, Nelly" whispered Lefty, in
terror again, s.some one is following
u.s.
q Nelly had known it for the last FIVE
minutes. If she had only known,
likewise, they were being looked after
by d friend, possibly she might have
felt easier in her mind, but probably
not. For Miss Nelly, with all her love
of fun. would not have relished being
laughed at, especially by Harry Hill.
lie. poor fellow, muttered under his
breath that .'those poor girls were in
a de6cedly awkwardA situation; and
who would have thought it of the
judge?"
Up the long street toiled the cousins,
in mortal terror, with those steady,
logging footsteps ever behind. Twice
they crossed the road, and a stealthy
figure Gas he thought, u~nobserved) fol-
lowed them.
"Oh,n sobbed Lefty, softly, II don't
think the ball is worth it. Let us go
into the first house, Nelly"
with this dummy" whispered
Nelly; .'people would think us luna
tics. Courage, Lefty. We're nearly
home"
Oh, the glad relief to get up the fa-
miliar steps. and smuggle their escort
into their wardrobe! Then both sat
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