The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-10

NJ
: closely by the young creole who had me
, him ON the landing. He saw his baggag
! hoisted into little wagon to come afte
the carriage.
For some reason not exactly explaina
BILE, this whole proceeding affected Cole
! man peculiarly. He felt sort of vagu
uneasiness, as if he were passing into al
atmosphere of mystery, if not of danger
As he was whirled through the marrow
streets he caught glimpses of queer tile
covered houses, with curious hanging
galleries; high walls and gloomy courtl
flanked these, and here and there dusky
palm or bright orange tree flung up it!
foliage. Blooming magnolia clumpi
filled the air with heavy, languid odor
But what most attracted the attention
Of Coleman was a company of four OF
five young men, dressed like dandies,
staggering along on one of the sidewalks
and singing drinking song at the top OF
their voices. One of these hilarious fel-
lows made lasting impression on our
young friends imagination. He was a
tall, olive-skinned, handsome man, APP
parently about twenty-five, strikingly
dressed in plaid coat, vest of red and
black velvet, gray trousers, and pro-
fusely-ruffled shirt. Evidently he was
the leading spirit of the party. At all
events, he was somewhat in front with
his black cap set well back on his shape
ly head, while his jet-black hair fell in
shining curls over his strong shoulders.
He was shouting forth the French drink
ing-carol in voice as sweet as it was
loud, and at the same time waving in the
air small cane. The entire group
looked the worse for wine, their faces
flushed and their eyes brilliant.
"Who is that strange-looking man in
frontP" inquired Coleman of his creole
companion, as they passed them by.
''Zat ge'man ees re Joozh Favart de
Caumartin,' was the answer that fairly
startled the interrogation.
Coleman actually grew red in the face
and exclaimed:
THAT Judge Favart de Caumartinl
Surely, sir, you are mistaken"
beg pahdon, sab, Zat ees Monsieur 10
Juge Favart de Caumartin. him know
varee well myself at Prayson."
Coleman turned and stared back
through the window at the strutting
youthful figure leading the noisy rout.
How could that be the celebrated duel
list, the guardian pirate!
"It cannot be he," he muttered aloud.
at is impossible"
"Varee well, Meestu Coleman" said
the young creole dryly; "but mus in
qup yo' pahdon, sab. Monsieur le Juge
FavaTt de Caumartin ees to me well ac-
quainted. wemark to you sab, Eat zare
ees not any mistake"
'0h, certainly, sir, beg thousand
pardons!" exclaimed Coleman, pulling
himself together and seeing his breach
of etiquette. "Of course you are right,
but was so surprised to see the judge
looking so young, l had supposed that
he was an aged man. am astOnished." :"
'Oh, monsieur, le juge'ees not so varee
young-not so varee-hees hair not much
gray"
While they were still discussing this
matter the carriage stopped in front of a
square, heavy-lOoking house which,
painted dull red and projecting its up
per gallery over the Sidewalk, flung out
on either side a heavy brick wall on
whose top was jagged dressing Of
broken bottles and jugs. ItlOoked more
like convent than like an apartment
house.
Hepworth Coleman found his suite of
rooms admirable in every respect; large,
airy. luxuriously furnished. His creole
conductor parted with him at the door
without giving his name or address. and
without any explanation whatever of his
connection with the matter of securing
these elegant apartments or with making
his arrival easy and pleasant.
Some silent and obsequious negro SER
wants were at hand to do his bidding;
but he soon dismissed them while he
flung himself upon sofa and lit his
pipe. Altogether incOmprehensible to
him were the suggestions of secrecy and
mystery connected with his reception;
scarcely less SO was the youthful-nay,
boyish-appearance of Judge Favart de
Caurnartin.
As if the mysterious atmosphere meant
to continue growing denser, it was while
he lay on the luxurious scarlet sofa,
smoking, resting, and meditating, that a
beautiful girl came and stood for a mo-
ment in the doorway of his chamber.
She blushed sweetly at the sight of him,
recoiled violently, and then slipped
swiftly away, leaving behind her rustic
of fine stuff, sparkle of rare jewels, and
lingering bouquet of Violets and roses.
Coleman felt the delicious shock of her
Fmagnetic beauty thrill through him. A
sort of shimmering outline of her form
wavered or appeared to waver in the
door after she had gone, so dazzling had
been the effect of her fresh, pure, flower
| like yet intensely human, beauty. He
heard her feet tap swiftly and lightly
along the hall. Involuntarily and with
objectionable curiosity he sprang up, and
hurrying to the door looked out; but she
was not in sight. For the first time in
| his life he felt his heart beating unnatur-
ally.
CHAPTER IL.
Evening was drawing on, sending a
soft twilight into the room. Coleman's
dinner was brought in by shy and silent
old colored woman. He had not ordered
the meal, nor had he felt the need Of it.
Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the
unusual character of his surroundings
held his sense of hunger in allegiance.
The old woman retired as soon as she
had arranged the repast on round ma
hogany table. Coleman found the Oys-
ters, the wine, the broiled fish, and the
French bread excellent to such degree
that he ate almost everything before
him; then leaning far back in his chair
he began TO study the silver set from
which all these good things had been
taken. The platter was in the form of a
| founder, the sugar-bowl was frog, the
cream pitcher was heron, the coifee-pOt
a pelican. These curious pieces were ex-
quisitely carved, and on each was cut the
name Favart de Caumartin in plain, bold
letters. Even ON the flYe-armed silver
candle-stick, in which burned five fra
grant myrtle wax tapers, appeared that
striking inscription. He surveyed the
room now with more critical eye, dis
covering at once that the pictures, the
curtains, the carpets, and indeed all the
articles of furniture, were costly and
beautiful beyond anything he had ever
seen before Evidently he was in Judge
de Caumartin's house.
The moon was shining brilliantly when
Coleman went forth for short walk in
the street. Not many people were
abroad, it being the dinner hour; but
certain cafes were crowded with men anC
women who were drinking champagne
and discussing the dishes on Widespread
tables.
At the door of one of these gorgeou.
rooms Coleman met the young mar
whom few hours before he had seer
leading the rout Of singers in the street
1t occurred TO him that now was as good
as any time TO present his letter to the
judge, so he forthwith stepped near hin
and said, lifting his hat:
81 believe have the honor Of meeting
Judge Favart de Caumartin."
The gentleman stared athim amomeni
very deliberately, then with just a sus
picion of smile and with courteou,
dignity wholly inimitable and indescrib
able doffed his queer little black cap as
he spoke:
"And who does me the honor Of ad
dressing me?"
Il am Hepworth Coleman of New
York"
"Ahw
81 hold letter to you from Mr.
Phineas Cartwright, Of the firm of Cart
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