The Opelousas courier., 1893-10-21
.sWho Is Pauline DeIatour?"

ct don't think I'll make q selec.
tion to-day. I will call tomorrow"
And Mr.. Milbrook rushed headlone
down stairs, greatly to the surprise Of
Signor Fernelli.
''The dusel" he calculated to him
self as he strobe along the narrow
street. with difficulty restraining him.
self from tumbling ut every other step
over the babies who swarmed on the
sidewalk, ga music-mistress! Giving
lessons in such q hole as that. Upon
my word I've come previously near
being taken in and done forl So it's
oil show and empty pretense that
wealth of hers, and she was going to
entrap a husband on the strength Of
it. Ny stars it's enough to make the
hair stand right straight up on a fell
lows head. What a lucky thing it
was I saw through the stratagem be-
fore I was Melted past escape"
He lifted his hat, and wiped the
chill beads Of perspiration from his
forehead.
''No, you don't, Miss Barbara Es-
mond," he muttered to himself with a
bitter, sarcastic smile wreathing his
lips. 81 am not quite such q fool as
that, thank goodness"
Barbara Esmond had futtered lightly
up the narrow staircase, all uncon-
scious of the eyes that were noting
her, through Signor Fernelli's partially
opened door, and entered a small room
in the story above" A pale young
girl, with a sweet, spirituelle face, sat
at her sewing by the window. She
frightened up as the delicate figure
came in.
''Miss Esmond, it is SO kind of you
to remember me SO p~unctually."
"Not at all kind. I am q genius
worshiper, Pauline, and I have dis.
covered the divine spark in you"
"How shall I ever pay you, Miss
Esmond?"
"By %cu1tivating the talent heaven
has bestowed upon you. Nay, nay,
Pauline, I am but following out a pet
whim."
"And the piano, too, that you sent
here. oh, Miss Esmond, one of heav-
ems angels could hardly be nor gen.
erousi"
"Hush, hush, Pauline! Begin your
lesson. I never thought, when first ]
heard you singing at your work and
paused to listen to the fute-like notes,
hat you would be half way through
the exercise book in less than six
months. When you sing at the opera
I shall be the first to throw bouquets
ct your feet"
Pauline looked with a shy bright
ness at her benefactress. Would that
time ever come?
The lesson was longer than usual
that day. Pauline and Miss Esmona
were both deeply interested, and it was
nearly twilight before Barbara
emerged from the house, closely
yelled, and walked swiftly through the
~darkening streets.
"There's a note for you, Miss Bar
bara," said her housekeeper, as she sat
down to rest a minute or two in the
reception-room of her own mansion
before she laid off her things.
ga note? Let me see it. When did
it Gomez"
"About fifteen minutes ago, miss.
A little boy brought it,"
slight the gas, please, Mrs. Moore
and take these wraps upstairs" II
A soft rose tint flushed over Bar
bara's cheek as she recognized Harry
Milbrook's handwriting. She broke
the seal and glanced eagerly at its con-
tents; but, as she read, the soft Grim
son flush died away into pallor.
It was very, very brief, but cruel as
a blow.
"M1ss EsMoND," it read, commene-
ing shortly and sternly, instead of the
dearest Barbara she had expected,
s'allow me to claim back the troth /
have plighted to you. I had supposed
when I engaged myself to you that !
was about to ally myself 70 a lady, not
to a music mistress in Grove street. It
will scarcely be worth while for you to
reply to this letter, as lean never, un-
der any circumstances, forgive the de-
eeit that has been practiced on me.
Therefore, [ shall take it for granted
that all relations are ended between
yourself and
ssYours very respectfully,
III. MILBRooK."
Barbara dropped the insulting letter
with a sparkle in her black eyes, a
curve to her lip, which were wondrous-
~ eloquent, and as it lay on the carpet
she ground it down into the deep pur-
pie pile with her contemptuous foot.
s'The puppy" she muttered between
her set teeth; ssthe miserable pol
troonl How could lever have fancied
for a single second that I loved him?
Reply to this letter? Of ourse ]
shall not reply to it,"
And Miss Esmond walked up stairs
carrying her head high in the air, far,
far beyond the reach of Harry Mil
brooks petty spite.
That young man was seated at his
breakfast table next morning when
Rufus Kenward lounged in.
"Ha1o, Milbrook! I've just heard o
little item about your lady love, Miss
Esmond, that is, to my mind, better
than oil her bonds and mortgages.
What do you think? She's giving sing.
ing lessons to my wife's little seam.
stress, one Pauline Delatour, because
the child has o glorious voice and can't
afford to have it cultivated. I wish
you could hear Pauline rave about her
b~enefactress. I think her enthusiasm