The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-05-24
THE STROKE OF RUIN.
ny MAURICE THOMPSON.

II was moonlight and rather late IL
The balmy evening, with breeze fut
tarinr along Royal street and the
sound Of guitar coming from an in
definite distance. No street cars were
running and but few strollers-these
mostly Creoles in high-heeled shoes
tapping lightly on the banquettes-
went up and down the narrow way.
BOYLE Harding leaned back in an
easy chair on the iron-railed balcony,
or gallery, which overhung the side.
walk, and smoked slowly, with half
closed eyes. He was awaiting and ex.
pecting the arrival Of his young friend,
Francois Rapin, who had lately intef<
ested him to singular degree.
Even at the moment, up the uncar-
| peted stairway came the active Creole's
| feet two steps at time, along with a
lively tune sung almost breathlessly
through curving black mustache.
"Ah. but here I am" he cried, issu-
Ing through the doorway and tripping
agay step along the floor toward Hard
ing.
SWELL; and what is it?" demanded
the New Yorker. what have you
found out?"
bah" He produced a cigarette
and asked for light by an inimitable
pantomine with head and shoulders.
Maybe she went to the French opera.
Go with me; have box; come"
"But haven't you yet seen her?"
"Seen her-how should I know?
N. Harding forgets the conditions"
Helaughed in his atrociously frivolous
French way.
'Ibeg pardon" said Harding, quick
"; y had indeed forgotten that l did
not know her name, her place of resi-
dence, nor yet even the color Of her
eyes. Yes, | will go with you to the
opera Everybody goes, eh?"
Not everybody; but everybody Of
the best 1t is the distinction; we draw
Ne line in front Of the boxes"
Not the dead line, l hope.r
Even that sometimes; yes Ihave
known glance Of sweet eyes to cost
man his best blood under the oaks.
are you good fencer?"
Boyle Harding made no answer, but
nung MS cigar stump over the iron fl
agree down into the street, where it
eoruscated on the cobblestones, and
lnen he rose and shook himself lightly !
~ one does who forms an imperfect |
pan or feels vaguely impatient over
delayed expectations.
The sky above New Orleans was as
O , as sapphire, and the irregular
Ola houses along Royal street caught
many a stray CLINT from the splendid
~ !, Harding was in mood to feel
~ 'ne force of such a scene. He had
.Ome south fortnight past with let
ssrS OF introduction to influential peo-
ri out ne was not seeking society;
aule1 soJourn in New Orleans with his
y Iyes ana ears open suited him better.
y was young, however, brim full Of
'.Ooo and surcharged with a poets i'm
lgination.
,a "nat was, perhaps, Just the thing he
roaiu nave most desired came to him
one day. It was a
' "nSie OF romance in the gloom of
isssi street. He suddenly met beau
oo young woman face to face at the
o,a u uarcin's old book store, a dingy
~ where you find the contents Of ,
,e sucn libraries that have been sold at
m Nv sales or picked up at auc-
nt.. warm eyes exchanged an invol-
lor look which seemed to have q ,
n,... VI inquiry struck out of iris
0nn, harding was electrified, and
L p.islveiy lifted his hat. She passed ,
: WIN a half smile, leaving a breath .
,;o., Uiets and the rustic Of q gown !
m my elegant in the air round about.
NJ :. oIlor OF her hair. her height, the q
MIA ~ ner eyes, her complexion-he 4
!. \ not fix one Of these in his mind.
! = knew that she was the loveliest, h
s,.Ies enchanting girl that ever 4
psc;s The impression entered his a
Il !" SO suddenly and set it. I
uan, eep and with such q thrill Of \
The pleasure that he stopped short q
M uoor, and stood there, hat in :
tent, smiiingiy reminiscently and
ee,,-s 70 the purr of his own blood e
,a 10y qaickening along his veins. \
. great fool; but he Is the h