The Opelousas courier., 1891-01-10

"Plenty, thank you'll"
Gas though I had offered you moro
teal" said Miss Henderson, nervously
laughing. do you like the arrange
ments? MIR. Giiforth helped me with
them--my cousin-in-law. He surprised
us all by coming this afternoon"
Surprised you2" said Wallace,
sharply.
ave never know what Dudley is going
to do" said Miss Henderson, smiling.
You will meet him this time; he's to
stay over Sunday"
1t was a shy intlmation that Wallace
would call Sunday. 1t would have sent
a warm thrill through him once.
II shall be in the city by Sunday" he
said. briefly.
"Ohw she murmured; land for how
long2
II go back for good, Miss Hender-
son." said Wallace.
Was it hurt amazement she showed or
only a polite semblanee OF it2 Certainly
she had never looked so lovely. One
gloved hand pulled at a leaf; her yellow
hair cleaned, her red lips were softly
parted, her blue eyes looked starry.
"We're to say good-b by thena' she said
tI-didn't-I-"
"What" cried somebody, vivaciously.
"You didn't what, Mary2'
ooh, Kitty" said Miss Henderson,
slowly. "Kitty, Mr.. Oakley--Miss Car
ter"
She turned away TREMENDOUSLY smiling,
and Wallace was alone with Miss Carter.
She was something under five feet, and
did not reach Wallace's shoulder. She
had black eyes, blacker hair, a vivid
complexion and a tilted little nose.
She wore a pink dress and carried
crimson roses. She reminded Wallace of
q gorgeous little butterfly.
"Now, why did Mary leave me to
bore you2' she demanded, looking up
with a pout; and Wallace smiled per-
force.
"shall we try this waltz" he said.
"a waltz" said Miss Carter. 81
can. resist that love to waltz"
She talked on while they waltzed. If
her petite charms had surprised Wal
lace, her powers eff loquacity amazed
him.
Miss Carter talked constantly; she
talked in an explanatory and italicized
manner; she talked till the dance ended,
and she was fairly out Of breath.
"Let's sit down" she painted. "There,
what a lovely place! behind that palm
do you see2 Quick! before somebody
gets it!
She giggled girlishly as she pulled him
down the platform steps, and then sat
sparkling up at him-and talking.
s:Isn't it delightful Mary has such
taste! And so many here2 Lots of pretty
girls, aren't thereT
Wallace reused himself.
cab, welt" he said, tormentingly,
and Miss Carter laughed in delight.
stOh, how rude! | was just going to
remark how honely the men are this
evening, a composite picture would be
awful. Except--except-"
Miss Carter clasped her hands and
leaned forward. A tall, dark, digniiedly
handsome man slowly crossed their line
of vision.
Except Mr.. Gilforth! Oh, always
excepting him. Miss Carter murmured,
turning upon Wallace a mi~schievously
laughing gaze.
He had never encountered so klttenish
q V, ng person, certainly. But his har-
rass d u nd was elsewhere.
"Mr. Gilfortha" he repeated.
"Why, MFR. Dudley Gilforth!" said
Miss Carter, with impressive emphasis.
"Don't you think him handsome2 Don't
say YOU don't. He's my ideal of a man.
You'd think I'd like a shorter man.
don't. / hate 'em! People have al
ways been saying, Hes just right for
YOU Kitty; he's only five foot three.
But I've always abominated him at FIRST
sight. And when I have walked Or
danced, or even spoken to a little man,
everybody has called us d 'cute little
couple 1 despise cute little couples!
1 think even a big woman aud a little
man is better than two midgets."
Miss Carter jingled a bangle on her
bracelet, and laughed gaily.
ssAll that is to lead back to Mr.. Gill
forth, you know" she said, saucily.
"He's six feet exactly, and SO broad
shouldered! He looks military-dont
YOU think 500 Like a Colonel, or q
General, event And his eyesl / think
there's something magnetic about them.
They're gray, you know-almost black
and when he looks right at you-welli'
said Miss Carter, shaking her lively little
head. .tAnd his moustachei He's only
thirty SIX, you know, but his moustache
is getting gray already. II there's any
thing | admire, it's a white moustache
with his square chin, too. 1 like 9
square chin. Don't you know it looks
so strong and-lovely?"
Kitty Carter laughed, and pulled VI
her glove.
Wallace sat in dry silence. Listening
to gushy praise of Mary Henderson's
lover seemed to him to be the last u n
bearable straw. He neither spoke moi
smiled; he looked angrily bored. And
Kitty Carter gave a little groan.
"oh, MIR. Oakley" she murmured,
"did you-didn't you-don't you know
how things area Hasn't anybody toI6
youa I've been funning, of course, bu1
even 30, I'd never have thought of say.
ing it if you didn't know--if l weren't
engaged to him."
Wallace gaped at her. Somebody spoke
to them in passing, but he did not hear