The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-05-24

must go II you would learn the secra,
OF heavenly happiness and the value OF
dreams as nutriment for the imapina.
ton. A lovers soul will treble IL
stature by feeding one moment on a
smile.
In fact, Boyle Harding had felt this
sudden growth within; it had Quick
ened, broadened and sweetened his
spiritual vision, while affordiny fine
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. increment to his
enjoyment OF his new surroundings.
This was midway in the fifties, when
New Orleans had reached the splendid
zenith OF her wealth, and when the
peculiar color Of her social life was
most dazzling and romantic As an
American city she stood apart, a hot.
almost tropical, heart of passion. lug
nry, pleasure and Astounding hospital
lty. And with it all went the old free
dom OF chivalrio personal courage and
the love Of spectacular results in mat
ters of honor.
Harding and his young Creole friend
set out on foot; 1t was but short stem
to the opera house, and as they went
along Rapin was prattling on the sub
ject Vt fencing, always great vogue
with Che jeunesse doree of New Or
leans. He was himself rich orphan.
living upon an almost unlimited in
come, and had long been a confirmed
habitue Of the fencing halls. Having
seen some rapiers and foils in Hard
ing's rooms he was saying:
But you must be interested in
sword play-in fencing. 1t is the no.
blest OF all the exercises for gentlemen
and your physique Is precisely made up
for it. You must be master, or YOU
could be-"
Il have had good masters" Harding
replied in an evasive tone, but am
losing interest in it."
your masters were in New York;"
mo; Paris. 1 had M. Duval for
three years"
IN. Duval! You had NJ. Charles Du-
val for three years?'
Yes"
"Ah, what fortunel He, and he only,
teaches the stroke of ruin,' the pass
which pierces across from shoulder to |
shoulder, disabling the victim for life, |
yet never killing HIM" Rapin spoke |
enthusiastically, and after moments |
pause added almost breathlessly:
"And you learned his strokel Oh,
but l am overjoyed; and you will teach
me to do it? All, monsieur, | shall be
your lifelong debtor. l have dreamed
Of that Incompatible thrust; l have
made two journeys to Paris to learn it;
but, you must know, NJ. Duval is an
ancient enemy Of my fathers. I could
not 20 to him, and his pupils are so
few and SO, so, so distinguished and
exclusive that 1 could not reach one of
them"
Harding laughed at the youths
trankness and told him pleasantly that
ne should be glad TO give him the Sc
,ret instruction. Thereupon Rapin al
most Rugged him, and they were just
the opera house.
A great curve of splendor, flash of
aces, throats, bosoms, jewels, laces,
yes, fans-a bewildering horizon of
'orsages, coiffures, necklaces, brace
cts, rings; foam Of airy gowns sink
ng and swelling gently, like surf froth
.gainst beach of fairyland. Harding
'azed in half-blinded stupidity, SO he
cit, and could see no details, could
make out no individual face distinctly.
( all struck him as some vast spectacle
4 barbarous gew-gaw splendor and {
ct nothing that he had ever seen could ,
ompare with it in unity of effect. The
oxes were all full, and full Of beauty
nd queenly costume, SO accumulated 9
hat nowhere else could such insist q
noes upon decoration have been toler-
BILE. There, however, it was the per- S
ection Of color, grace, brilliance and
passionate beauty of ex- a
ression such as the Greeks of Alex n
ndria dreamed of in their luxurious Il
G
Harding and Rapin were the only c
ersons In their box, which was well t
, one side of the great curve. On the t
age celebrated ballet favorite was R
licking featly through one of her cap
waiting passages. a
I'VE will begin the lessons to-mor- h
W." murmured Rapin; Il shall be an ],
1t scholar, monsieur. fl
"Yes," said Harding, absently. He a
as gazing along the great sweep of ST
'auty and light.
"But excuse me a moment or two," p
o Creole added after awhile when st
e curtain was down. II am going to
IL at the box of friend" a
He went, and Harding continued his IL
rvey, which. now that his eyes had
accustomed themselves to 81
g glamour, became more real and abb hi
rbingly interesting. OF
he saw Rapin in box. q al