The Opelousas courier., 1889-11-16
F~EARLESSNESS.
BY ROSE II.

NOUN; but, as she Is very dalnGy anu
very beautiful, I don't really lott"
The young woman who sat near him
as he spoke, painting fancy work, and
who could not quite compete with great
beauty, thought that Balkan was show
ing off, being irritated by Genevieve's
apparent Indifference and was trying to
console himself by grumbling at her, al
though he would have been very critical
of any one else who dared to do so. This
young woman, who could reflect intelli-
gently, was, nevertheless, a perfect child
in guilelessness. She could stand in
judgment over people, as a child does,
and cause no antagonism at any rate, in
a nature as generous as her own. She
was the sort of girl who would remain
sweet and naive as an old woman.
Nellie Featherly looked round at Bal
kan, in a moment, and responded:
"Now, there is nothing mysterious
about me-"
"You2 I should think not! You are
so fearless, straightforward and anus
ing"
"You have not quite illusion enough
about me, I think" Nellie pouted over
her satin scarf, which was bursting into
flower and leaf. "You have made me
out just n of the ordinary, useful toss
me-aside kind of women, and, although
you are right, I do hate to hear the fact
repeated"
II don't care what you think of your
self or how you construe my appreciation
OF you," answered Balkan, saucily. IT
am perfectly content with enjoying your
traits and sitting where you paint"
Nellie went on busily, with a dozen
pretty attitudes and motions and a rather
dissatisfied expression of countenance.
Whether it was her work or her words
which annoyed her, Balkan was not sure.
"That's exquisite, and no mistake"
he went On, peering oven at the drawing
board on her knees, upon which the satin
was stretched.
"oh, please don't say pretty things"
Nellie cried, "somehow, you seem in
sincere to-day!"
"s My dear Miss Featherly, I should
not hesitate to tell the truth, rather than
prevaticate. To be quite honest, I would
tell you the truth about anything in the
world you could ask me; though with
others ! might be as silent as Genevieye,
instead Of confessing to actualities."
ST I eve want to ask you anything I
will remember this" the young amateur
rejoined, with the incest smiles into Bal
kan's earnest fana.
Cecil Morton sauntered across the room.
during the little pause ensuing and said
that the day was too good for staying in
the house. Why not go to walk before
dlnnerS The young people, eight when
all told, were visiting some dear old
J country gentlefolks to whom Nellie was
nearly related, and who had asked them
out OF town for a week Of sleighing, and
other winter fun, the snow being ia bet
ter condition than for years past. That
evening they were to go sleighing by
moonlight and it was super-energetic for
Morton to talk of walking. But we all
know how these restless people of energy
or muscle rout us out of little lazy tete-a,
detes and Preside luxury. Neither Nellie
nor Balkan wished to be stigmatized as
10th to exercise and so they rushed out of
the parlor to find the others and get we'll
wrapped up against a coolish ramble ;
while Cecil Morton smiled to himself in a
mirror to think of the coranotion he could
effect at will.
~
Nellie and Genevieve paired off, in
~tentionally, as the group left the hall
door ten minutes later. Something agi-
tated Nellie.s beautiful friend, as the for
mer was able to discover through girlish
intimacy, which is a very deep thing in
deed. Genevieve's face looked calm and
E.
pale as she said, in a low, rather tragic
voice, to the affectionate girl beside her
, ssMy heart is almost breaking. I am
50 wretched, and so surprised. To think
of i'll Never haveT loved before, and
every one always on their knees to me.
And now, the very one who absorbs my
| thought-cold. cold. coldap
Don't be silly, Gen. You're SO fred
up at finding any one you can become ro-
mantle over, that you are as blind as d
hickory nut, beside being dreadfully
awkward when he's around. Moreover,
Hall Balkan is perfectly splendid-so
handsome and so manlyi I don't wonder
wonder you like him tremendously. And
the idea of his not coming under your
SPELL AS for me, I just know he. thinks
you are irresistible. I know you are 10
his mind'-
aYou love me, and try to think me q
%#