The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-09-28

token by which We might know each
| other"
"But that seems too bold, don't it,
and perhaps imprudent, if he should
| turn out to be not perfect gentleman"
"a man who processes to be above the
common herd, with refined and exalted
instincts, must be Il gentleman" said
Josephine, confidently. "But to satisfy
You, how will it do to propose that he
should wear heliotrope button bouquet,
and watch for the lady who drops her
purse in passing him: | won't drop it,
really, unless i'll appearance he comes
up to my expectations; and then / shall
| be safe, for he will never know that |
am Iolanthc. And, on the other hand,
the purse will afford him natural and
graceful way of presenting himself, by
picking it up and restoring it to me. "
And so, after some discussion, this
plan was agreed upon, Miss Royster
promising to accompany her friend, and
support her through the somewhat try
ing, though delightfully."- romantic adj
venture.
1t was five o'clock when the two ladies'
entered the art gallery-the time and
place appointed for the meeting with
Adrian. Miss Royster was agitated,
and Josephine's heart beat violently as,
walking slowly down the long hall, they
nervously glanced amid the crowd in
search of gentleman with heliotrope in
his button hole.
1t was indeed an agitating moment for
Miss Heyden; for was she not about to
meet, for the first time in her life, per-
son-and one of the other sex-in whom
she would recognize a kindred spirit.
One who could appreciate the poetry
and spirituality of her nature, and with
whom she could walk-here, forinstance,
amid these lovely art creations of genius
in the delicious, mutual consciousness
of their being lifted above the common
place throng around them.
81 don't see him anywhere" said
Miss Roystor, when they had nearly
reached the end of the gallery. Sup
pose he don't come"
''Oh. but he within sure he WILL"
responded Josephine, TREMENDOUSLY.
"Ah," with a start, "there's Jack,
What brought linn here, l wonder, He
asked me last evening to come, and |
refused. Let us get ont of his sight, or
he'll spoil everything"
'He can't join us. Don't You see
that he's with that pretty Miss Maddox.
And how pleased she looks'
Josephine glanced sharply toward
Jack and the handsome, smiling girl on
his arm. For I'M instant, even. she al
lowed her attention to lie absorbed i'll
Watching them, until aroused by
Louise's subdued exclamation:
" There he is. See the he!iotrope in
his buttonhole."
Miss Heyden thought she would have !
tainted. She couldnot summon courage
to raise her eyes, but mechanically and
tremblingly drew forth herpursc.
"He's looking for us He's coming this
way whispered Miss Royster, seeming
ve.y much inclined to run away.
But her friend neryOusly 9rasped her !,
wrist.
Don't desert ne, Louise-not now. as .
such a trying moment. Wh-where is
he :"
" Coming, There, don't see him now.
He's behind that fat woman"
"Wh-what is he like :" grasped Jose
phine.
Tall, rale-but, all here he is, close
to US this under her breath.
1t was from no intention of her own,
but simply the result of her nervous ag-
ltation, that at this moment the purse
slipped from .Joscphine's trembling fin
gers. And before she could collect her
thoughts, or knew what to do, tall fig
IRE stepped quickly forward, picked up
the purse, and with q low bow extended
It towards her
She raised her eyes slowly from a pair
If highlypolished boots, gradually up
ward to a coat adorned with heliotrope
blossom, above which appeared rather
striking satin necktie and face. Then
he gave Il start and an irrepreSsible lit
lie cry of astonishment and horror, for
n that pale, naughty and cadaverous
usage she had recognised the unmistak-
lble lineaments of-Junkin.
Mr.. Jack Rogers, who happened to be
lot far off, heard the cry, and turning
quickly, beheld Miss josephine Hcyden
n the act of fainting in the arms of her
riend.
In an instant he had pushed his way
Trough the group gathered about the I
-oung lady, and taken her into his own
trong arms.
1T is the heat" said the fat lady, fam
ling hesrelf,
mo Think it was strange man who !
frightened her. He picked up her purse,
which L saw her accidentally drop
nd" ]
where is he" "Stop him :" "Close {
he doors. - Call the police" were
he cries which now arose in the midst
f which Miss Heyden slowly recovered {