The Opelousas courier., 1893-04-15

fully three quarters of an hour, dozin
comfortably in his study.chair, and NJ
even dressed for dinner yet. 1t was SON
moments before he could articulate fl
amazement.
"Upon-my-word, really, upon.
my-word," he managed to say at last
She started up at the sound of hi
voice, her dimpled cheeks pink wit
slumber, her dark fringed eyes bright a
newly risen suns, and her soft black curl
in a pretty disorder.
"Why, papa, is that your she said
yawning behind rosy. tipped fingers, aut
lazily dropping her white lids again, a
though disinclined to be reused from he
nap just yet.
"Mlss-St. Maur."
He never called her st. Maur excep
on very extraordinary occasions, and she
reused a little at the words.
"Are you aware that dinner has beer
waiting for you a full three-quarters o.
an hour?"
"Has it? well, I'm very sorry yor
waited, papa" without opening hel
eyes.
Mr.. St. Maur grew slightly red in the
face.
"~Disobedient and contumacious grill
Are you aware, Ruby St. Maur, that your
atlanced husband is waiting in the parlor
to see you2"
"Athanced who's" Ruby exclaimed,
suddenly sitting up very straight, and
opening her bright eyes to their utmost
dimensions.
"Mr. Dusenbury. the gentleman l ex-
pect you to marry, awaits you in the par
lor. Repair at nee to your dressing
room, and join us in the shortest possible
space of time.
Mr.. St. Maur spoke in his sternest,
most unanswerable tones, and left the
apartment in such a state of indignation
hat ne forgot the book he came after,
and returning for it, found that con-
tunacious girl still lingering there. On
seeing him, she asked, very coolly:
Papa, who is Mr.. Dusenbury. any,
howe" j
"Mr. Dusenbury is the man you are to
marry, and that is enough for you. OF
with you"
"PresentIy. I can dress enough for
MIR. Dusenbury in ten minutes. It's the
same old hunks that disowned his son
because he couldn't make Just such a
dusty old skeleton of him as he is HIM.
self. Isn't it, papa?"
Papa's broWs lowered ominously.
"Miss St. Maur, l desire you to repair
instantly to your dressing room. Do you
hear?"
Gallons, papa"
She kissed her fingers to him, balanc.
ing herself archly on the threshold Of
the door, and still lingering in roguish
defiance.
500 you know what color the old
parchment bundle in there particularly
abominates!"
"You'd be sure to wear it, chi" Mr..
st. Maur said, boiling over with wrath.
Al desire that you attire yourself with
your usual care. I'll put you on a diet
of bread and water, miss; see If I don't.
Dinner has been waiting an hour, I tell
you, and I'm literally in a starving con-
She danced back into the oom.
"Dear papa, let me bring you a lunch
while you're waiting"
He lifted his cane In mock threaten
ing.
"of with you, witchl Will you goa"
She laughed, made a great affectation
Of lodging the uplifted cane, and van.
tshed.
Ten minutes after, true to her boast,
dashed into the parlor, a gorgeous
little beauty to have turned half
! dozen such heads as that of the anti
4uated specimen Of the genus homo who
sat %conyersing with Mr.. St. Maur, and
monstrous pinches of snuff be-
the words.
That must have been the reason thew |
called her Ruby: she was such a gorge
Gus little creature in herself; all.sparkle
and flash, and with an almost barbaric
tondness for rich and glowing colors.
which, however, seemed only the fitting
for her peculiar style of beauty,
hoW was q dIct-COlUf6 Sallna |
elasped at throat and wrist with orna-
nents Of white topaz, and her curls were
ooped back from her face with a gold
yet with the same stones.
Dinner was served at once, both gentle.
men seeming in a furnishing condition.
md Ruby presiding in such a n as
o call forth most approving chances
rom her proud and gratifed papa.
As for papa's dear friend, Mr.. Dusen-
Jury, he divided his attentions between
me dinner ana MISS 81. Maur, ana was
evidently as much beWitchsd al it was
for him to be.
aCapital capital matters couldn't have
off better, after all" Mr.. st. Marr
nurmured to himself, after his friend
lad gone, walking the parlors and
.ubbing his hands together Ia great glee.
'sDusenbury's a gone case, that's eyi.
lent. Ruby, my dear, you behaved like
angel
ibid !, papaa9 that young lady re.
demurely, glancfng at him from
Inder her jetty lashes, while the least
ut OF q smile tWitched threateningly at |
he dinpled corners Of her rosy mouth.