Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-13

not have minded so much. THEing IT an
in all, WIS enioyins myself desperately,
but l could not help feeling the shock Of
meeting every once in a while with some
BODY who thought the affair perfectly in
nocent or who insisted on making it nor
ribly vulgar. l could not feel that I was
continually misbehsring myself, nor could
! feel that when l did misbehave l was
mishehavins with good taste.
So l determined to cease the rogush
little passages at arms with the men who
crossed my course and the delightful teas
ing OF my friends, to come away from the
dear attraction of improperly and to go
home. | knew very well that the ball
would be, we'll, PaRdenonium, later on,
and l very much wished TO stay it out;
but l told myself that only one or two
little misgrmss had SO lar marred my
pleasure, and that it would be better to
go away while still on good terms with
my entertainment. So l made. sign to
Bran and told him that l wanted him to
get the carriage. He pondered for a mo
ment, and then said:
Il say, it's quite early. Don't you think
Jou'd like 20 have little supper before
you go home?"
II will get some supper at home" said
l. You shall come with me. Though
let NE think minute"
| hesitated not because / minded taking
him home with me, but because another
idea had occurred to me. | made up my
mind without much difficulty. Yes, 1
would do it-and oh, well. it really wasn't
a case of vogue la galere. had seen so lit
tie OF Bran during the evening. He had
been so calm aud well behaved-possibly
because IL was still early-that il WASH I
worth my while to be on my guard. 4
suppose l ought to 90 home" | reflected;
''but after all what difference can it
make?" And then it will finish Of my
evening very comfortably, and it Will be
quite Venetian or quite Queen Anne" so |
said to Bran
Il want YOU TO do something for me. 1
want you to take me to a mems restaurant.
l want to see what it is like. Will you?n
We'll, said he, with dehberation, 81
will. But Wen have to get a table to our
selves in one of the smaller rooms, or some
thing Of that sort, you know"
l rather wished that Emma Naples had
been with me; but l acquiesced, and he
went to cali the carriage.
- ISL dis ilt CSAtlat tdCh W Iut NGSblDuie
where | was waiting lifted the bunch OF
roses. which l still held in my hand, TO my
left shoulder, and then, on an idle impulse,
l took a hairpin and fastened them there,
patting them and pressing them TO my
domino. Suddenly I noticed Captain
Brague looking at me very inJently, and it
just occurred to me that | had forgotten
him! l had intended to find out for whom
he took me. He had been Watching me-
narrowly all the evening, and indeed had
been following me about the Academy in
curious manner, and was quite convinced
that he had some special interest in me. If
he thought | was some other woman [
could perSonate her; if he suspected me of
being myself taut mieuX! ! could lead him
away frou. that suspicion, and then get
him to talk about me. So rs say | was
rather put out 10 find that l had missed
the accomplishment of this plan.
For moment hesitated as to whether
should not stay and have it out with
him, but reflected that it would be too
much trouble TO make it plain to Bran
why had so signally favored the other, so
gave it up. i must hurry, however"
said l to myself, for the captain was max
ing straight for me with eager eyes, and
looking as if he had a claim on me. Yes"
l continued, Its too late now" So took
Bran's arm and made him walk rather
quickly through the door Numbers of
curious people were lounging about. AS
we brushed past them | turned to look for
the captain. He was following US. Too
late, my gallant friend, said /, and waved
my hand to him. At the moment that |
did this l saw Penny also looking at me
eagerly. He was close by my side.
Good night" he said to me. THAT is
you, is it?''
ooh, yes" said I. "Come along!"
And | tripped down the steps, and as
Bran shut the door of the carriage. fan.
cied ! caught a gli,nse of the captain on
the steps of the Academy, looking after US
irresolute.
In a few minutes the carriage stopped,
and | SAW that we were III front of a well
known restaurant quite near to the Acad-
envy. Bran jumped out quickly and l fol-
lowed him with some satisfaction. One or
two men who were standing on the steps
took their cigars from their mouths, puff
fng surprised clouds of smoke into the
frosty air, and stared at me deliberately
Bran led the way into little waiting
room.
Wait here moment" said he, while
l 90 look up 4 waiter and find out about a
table"
But I want to go through the large
rooms" said !. Il want TO see the men,
you know. Pm dying to find out what
they're up to-"
Il understand" said Bran. '9But I'll
make arrangements for our supper first"
50 off he went. ! SAL down for an instant
in chair near the door of the sale dat
,ente, highly amusing with its st;fiy gor-
geous chairs, its extraordinary wall paper
and its tilisree looking glass. 1t ought to
have been Queen Anne, l thought to my
self. would make famous Sacharissa-
.hough my domino isn't quite right for the
,haracter. How delightful it would be if
briA were only clad in-well, say in the
disguise OF a hiChwaynan, or in satin
small clothes, silk stockings, cooked hat
and a tie wig! How well he woHId look in
hem! Full of such thoughts jumped up
and went 10 the glass to see how l looked
II a Ward
Suddenly 1 heard a noise behind me-
saw in the glass the face of Captain
Brague, who was looking into the room.
food heavens he had followed me. Before
could turn he had rushed quickly TO me
and had clasped me fondly about the waist
Was be tipby? He certainly was, by his
gay OF speech; he spoke confidently and
quickly:
Sure, why didn't you let me know be
ore that it was you, my dearS beg your
pardon, but you've been so tantaizinS this