The Opelousas courier., 1892-01-23
MRS SEYMOUR'S VISITOR.

MRS SEYM0UR'S VISITOR.
"The hanson is here, Jack, SO I shall
be off. Do you think | look nice2"
Mrs. Seymour stood before her hus-
band as she spoke, and letting her cloak
slip from her shoulders, appeared in all
the glory of a d~eliciously poetic gown of
shimmering white satin, shrouded in lace
and flmy chiffon.
Hof course you do, darling, prettier
than ever.
"That's all right. Now put my cloak
on again, like a good boy. Thanks. Any
messages for the Delameres?"
''Tell them how awfully sorry I am
that I can't dine with them tonight, but
say that | really must read over these
briefs and get up my opening speech"
He gave the large bundle of papers
lying before him an impatient push.
t'Shall you be very late, Sylvia?'
sob, no." answered his wife, as she
stopped to kiss him. "But you know
Mrs. Delamere always has music after
dinner, and generally ask a few people
to come in, SO don't expect me much
before twelve. However, if you are
tired, mind you 60 to bed; I've got my
latch key with me. I've told the SER
wants to put cut the drinks, and not to
wait up" And then Mrs. Seymour blew
her husband a kiss and vanished through
the door.
Half-Fast twelve was booming out
from a neighboring steeple when Mrs.
Seymour returned hone to her house in
Belgravia. She sprang lightly from her
hanson, paid the driver his fare, and
then leisurely turned TO mount the steps,
feeling for her latch key as she did SO.
She had just inserted the key in the
6oor, stivering a little the while, the
night was chilly, when she heard a foot
step close behind her.
Thinking it was the cab,nan, she cried
cut sharply, ~ shall give yoa no more.
The fare is only a shilling, and [ gave
you eighteen pence. IL
Then she became aware that the tall
well dressed figure standing, hat Id hand,
by her side, was no common cabman.
She drew back a little, at the sapae time
giving the latch-key an impatieat jerk,
in a vain endeayor to open the fr$snt door
more quickly. 4
stPray do not be alarmed, Mrs. Sey-
mour,' said the stranger, bowling.
"Although have not the pleasure OF
your acquaintance, I am an old friend of
your husbands, and it is the fact of be-
ing charged with a message from him
for you that makes me introduce myself.
NY name is MessitereCyril Messiter.
Perhaps you have heard him mention
me?''
Mrs. Seymour shook her head doubt
fully, although at the anne time a vague
feeling crept over her that she had heard
Jack speak of such a person.
"Your husband asked me to tell you
" began Mr.. Messiter, but Mrs. Sey-
interrupted him.
aWhere have you seen my husbaud2
Is he not at home?"
she is not, and that is why I an com
missioned by him to explain to you,
though / fancy 5Sou will find a letter
from him inside, but pardon me, is it
not rather rash of you to stand here on
such d cold night in yoar evening gown
and thin satin shoes2 And really, If /
had not been afraid of frightening the
servants, who would have taken me for a
burglar. should have attempted to get
them to let me in
How long have you been waiting2n
tOh, only about half an hour, but to
be honest, it has been eold.p
"You must be frozen! Won't you
come in?o
Mrs. Seymour, growing colder every
moment, metapaorically took the bull
by the horns. She turned the kew
sharply, then fiinging the door wide open,
repeated, with a courage born Of intense
curiosity and the knowledge that a bell
rang from the library TO where the but.
Ter slept, down stairs, sDo come inn
with much pleasure answered
Mr.. Messiter, bowling once more, then
following Mrs. Seymour through the
diinly lit hall to the library at the back
Of the house. Here a blazing fire
and a couple of softly shaded lamps
made a brilliant illumination, and each
took stock Of the other.
Mrs. Seymour saw before her a tall.
well built man of about thirty-fve. Dark
blue eyes, eyes with a smile ii their
depths, lit up q cle~ar-skinned. handsome
face. The hair was closely cut to the
well shaped head, and as he unbottoned
his overcoat Sylvia Seymour noticed that
was In faultless evening dress. His
whole appearance, voice, end manner
betokened such q thorough gentle
that her last feelings Of
nervousness left her as she flung herself
into q low chair before the cracking
blaze and asked him for the message.
Mr.. Messiter paused an instant before
answering her. He was too absorbed
fer the moment in taking in the beauty
the golden head. and rhe sweet lines
of the fair face upturned to him, to
answer her question at once. Alarm had
paled her cheeks, but now the coler was
creeping back to them, and when,
i charming smile, she repeated her
request, her mysterious visitor thought
the prettiest creature he had ever
.een.
And now get close to the fire and
tell me ALL abunt it.
WEA = = - s54&t + sGy. = 1