Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-08-22

chlldneSs but | long Tor one: ever Since
heard of those peaches, have a wild
desire to taste them. Promise to bring
me one, at least"
How could a man give downright
refusal to the woman he adored end
ed by murmuring vague promise and
then Fastening away but just as turn
ed the handle of the door she called me
back. l saw her big blue eyes, bright
with longing, turned upon me, and she
cried once more "Do you promise ?"
The ball was very fine; flowers every
where, elegant toilets, and excellent mu-
sic. The Prefect, the President Of the
Tribunal, the officers of the garrison, and
all of the department clerks were there
Our chief had spared nothing to give
brilliancy to this entertainment, of which
his wife and daughter did the honors
most graciously. At midnight, supper
was served, and the dancers filed into the
dining-room in couples. | followed,
trembling, and scarcely had | entered be-
fore l saw the famous peaches sent by
Chevet occupying a conspicuous place in
the centre of the table.
They were, indeed, magnificent There
was a pyramid of them in china basket,
carefully arranged with grape leaves
which brought out the appetizing color
of their velvety skins where deep red
shaded into greenish white From see-
ing them one could easily imagine the
fragrance and delicate flavor of the lusci.
Gus, rosy pulp. My eyes caressed them
from afar, and l thought of the joyous
cries that would greet me on my re-
turn if succeeded in carrying home a
sample of this perfect fruit They were
exciting general admiration, and the
more ! gazed at them, the more did my
desire take the shape of fixed purpose.
| determined to have one or two. But
how? The walters kept watch over this
rare and costly delicacy, our host having
reserved for himself the pleasure of offer
ing his peaches TO certain guests. From
time to time, at sign from my chief, the
butler would daintily take one, cut it
with a silver knife, and present the two
halves on Seyres plate to the designated
person.
watched this performance greedily,
and, with fear, saw the pyramid fall in.
However, the contents of the basket were
not exhausted Perhaps the order had
been strictly executed; perhaps the
peaches had been arranged with fore
thought; at any rate, when the banquet
ers, recalled by the orchesira's playing a
hurried hack 10 the dancing there
were still half dozen beautiful peaches
nesting among the green leaves.
followed The crowd, but it was only
false sortie. l had left my hat in q
corner-a tall hat, which had bothered
me considerahlydu the entire evening.
/ went back with the pretense Of getting
it, and, as | was, in way, one of the
household, the servants id not mistrust
me. Besides, they were busy carrying
out the dishes and glasses used by the
/ guests, and, at certain moment, found
myself alone near the sideboard.
There was not an instant to lose. AZ
ter furtive glance to the right and LETT,
approached the basket and made two
qf the peaches quickly roll into my hat,
where l covered them with my handker-
chief then, very calm and dignifted in
appearance, though uy heart was beating
frightfully, / left the dining-room, care
fully pressing the opening of my hat to
my breast, and holding it there by means
of my right hand, which, thrust inside
of my vest, gave me very majestic, al
most Napoleonic, bearing.
Ny scheme was to cross the ballroom
cautiously, to steal away, and, once out
side, to carry home victoriously the two
peaches wrapped in my handkerchief.
1t was not so easy as l had fancied.-
They we're about to commence the cotil-
! lion. All around the large hall there
was double line of men and elder.
} ly ladies, hemming in the circle formed
by the chairs of the dancers, while in the
: centre there was wide empty space
, where few couples were Waiting.
f 1 timidly made my way through
| groups of people; | squeezed betweer
l chairs with the suppleness Of g snake;
| trembled each moment for fear that
: rough jog of my elbow would change th'
t position of my hat and let the peachei
5 fall. l could feel them rolling arounC
e inside, and grew hot to my ears and th'
roots of my hair. At last, after mucf
e care and maneuvring, reached the in
: ner space just as new figure was being
4, ..o,;,oJ LODI, - nlaced In tha can