The Opelousas courier., 1892-07-09

had undoubtedly ssfeathered his nest
well in many years of prosperous voy-
aging.
The basement floor was distinguished
by a sign over the door, and a shop win
dow, wherein were displayed the wares
of a erocer-George Dawson a very
small scale; a grocer who bought by the
basket and box, and sold by the half
peck and pound.
Upstairs-there was only one story
above the first foor-Nanette lived with
her mother, Madame Hillien. Nanette
had been ten years in America, and was
employed by a milliner, who made
good use of Nanette's nationality
when her customers = suspected
her of being anything but a
French milliaer. Madame Hillien was
yellow and wrinkled and wore an old
sacque of dingy colors Owe a black silk
p%etticoat, and a cap of elaborate con-
struction over very rough, gray hair.
Nanette was a clear brunette, with eyes
black as sloes and soft as velvet, checks
like the heart of a crimson rose, teeth
like pearls, and the triggest little figure
ever balanced on two pretty feet. With
scant means and her French tastes Nan
cite was always well dressed. Her print
gowns fitted her to a nicely, her hair
glossy and abundant, was always arranged
becomingIy, AND there was never any,
thing tumbled or soiled to mar Nanette's
toilette.
Two men, at least, adored Nanette;
George Davis in heart-sick silence, Cap.
tain Saunders with the audacity of wealth
and position.
Captain Saunders sent always to
Madame HiIlieu such preserves and fruits
as opened wide the eyes of the favored
few invited to partake of them. he had
always o friend in port, just arrived
from Italy, from Cuba, from Liver pool,
from China, from any point where the
long arm of commerce pushes her vessels;
and these friends would always have
foreign daintics to tempt the gold from
the purse Of the generous captain. It
was whispered that fabrics only suited
for feminine wear, jewels, fans, tlinkets
also came to the captains room, but of
these he said nothing. Boxes of oranges,
jars Of ginger, boxes of macaroni,
tempting morsels from all lands were cary
ried up the flight OF stairs to Madame
Hillieu. but Of India muslins, Canton
grapes Pon's silks, rings and bracelets the
captain said never a word.
Gtill tho fnon 80 Gnnr~a na-.a ....s
:onger aud paler day by day, as the sight
II ais rivals prosperity was forced upon
aim. It was true that Nanette Loyalty
purchased every pound of tea aud peck
Of potatoes at the grocery in the base
ment and presented her cash with the
smile Of an angel. True, too, that she
never passed the grocer without a smile
and sometimes a little blush.
For tho grocer was only three-and-
twenty, with i blond beard and eyes al
blue as o patch of summer sky, while the
captain was nearly sixty, with grizzled
red hair, a skin like mahogany, and eyes
Of no especial tint, unless it was sea-
green. But the captain had along bank
account, aud could WOO galiantly and
loudly, while the grocer only spoke with
his eyes, and wondered vaguely how
long two could live upon profits that
were half starvation for one.
ashe is so prettyin the poor Young
fellow thought, With a sigh; emo won.
der she likes 10 ride with the captain in
the Park, while / an tied to the counter
and cannot even afford to hire a boy to- |
roll IN the barrels. could not send d
basket homo il a customer asked IT,
But fortunately the customers were OF
that class that never trust d market bas-
out OF their wi hands. Still, as they
wore very ~cSacting as to the largest
for the lowest price, that bal
ancea the matter.
It was not n very h~ourishing grocery
for the goods were of the cheapest
description, and the profits were very
and often when the stock had to
be repienished, George Davis wore patched
shoes and the shabbIest OF clothes.
ut would delight my heart, Nanette
sald once % her mother. s.if / could once
ret my Two hands u the incn-closet Of
Monsieur Davis and repair his collars
md cults. They are frayed. Oh!n-
With uplifted haads-tshow they ara
habbyln
sYou had better look at something
II