The Press., 1896-08-13

forgive. An, no; lG'S no use. Mamma E ways are past Cnding out.
 Suzanne was never in Hector's com pany elsewhere than at Maman Cha vans. Besides the Sunday visit he looked in upon them sometimes at dusk, to chat for moment or two. He often treated them to theater tickets and even to the | opera when business was brisk Busi- ness meant a little notebook that he carried i'll his pocket ill which he some times dotted down orders from the coun- try people for wine that he sold on com mission. The women always went to- gether, unaccompanied by any male es- cort, trotting along arm in arm and brimming with enjoyment. That same Sunday afternoon Hector walked with them 0 short distance when they were on their way to vespers. The three, walking abreast, almost occupied the narrow width of the banquette. A gentleman who had just stepped out of the Hotel Royal stood asido to better en- | able them to pass. He lifted his hat to Suzanne and cast quick glance that pio- tured stupefaction and wrath upon Hec- tor.
 
 | dramatically, seizing Maman Chavan's s arm
 "Who-he2'
 "Laballierer r' "Nop'
 "Yesp'
 "A handsome fellow, all the same" |" nodded the little lady approvingly. Hec- tor thought so too. The conversation again turned upon Laballiere and so con- tinued till they reached tho side door of the cathedral, where the young man left his two companions.
 In the evening Laballiero called upon Suzanne. Maman Chavan closed the front door carefully after he entered the small parlor and opened the side one that looked into the privacy of the gar den. Then she lighted the lamp and re- tired just as Suzanne entered
 The girl bowed little stiff1y, if 1t may be said that she did anything stiff1y I'M. Laballiere. That was all she said.
 Mile. St. Denys Godolph, and that was all he said. But ceremony did not sit easily upon him.
 "Mademoiselle, he began as soon as
 
 message from your mother. You must understand that otherwise would not be here '
 'I do understan', sir, that you an maman have become very warm frien's during my absence," she returned in measured, conventional tones.
 ''It pleases me immensely to hear that from yOu,' he responded warmly; "to believe that Mme. St. Denys Godolph is my friend.
 Suzanne cOughed more affectedly than was quite nice and patted her glossy braids ''The message, if you please, M. Laballiere" "
 ITO be sure, pulling himself togeth- CT from the mOmentary abstraction he had fallen into ill contemplating her. Well, it's just this: Your mother, you Eiust know, has been good enough to sell ne fine bit of land-a deep strip along the bayuu"-
 Impossible! Mais wat sorcery did you use to obtain such thing of my mother, M. Laballiere? Lan' that has been in the St. Denys Godolph family since time untole!"
 "No sorcery whatever, 1nademoiselle, only an appeal to your mother's intelli- gence and common sense, and she is we'll supplied with both. She wishes me to say, further, that she desires your pres ence very urgently and your immediate return home."
 My mother is unduly impatient surely" replied Suzanne, with chilling politeness.
 May ask, mademOiselle, " he said, with an abruptness that was startling, "the name of the man with whom you were walking this afternoon?"
 She looked at him with unaffected as- tonishmont and told him: II Ihardly un- derstan yo' question. That gentleman is MT. Hector Santien, of ono of the frs families of Natchitoches, a warm ole frien' an far distant relative of mine"
 "Oh, that's his name is it-Hector Sant1en? We'll, please don't walk on the New Orleans streets again with MT. Hector Santien."
 "Yo' remarks would be insulting if they were not so highly amusing, MT. 
 II beg your pardon if am insulting, and have no desico to be amusing" And then Laballiere lost his head. "You are at liberty to walk the streets with whom you please. of course," he said, with ill suppressed passion, "but if en- counter MT. Hector Santien in your com pany again ill public shall wiring his neck, then and there, as I would chicken. shall break every bone in his bOdy"- Suzanne had arisen.
 You have said enough, sir. even desire no explanation of yo' words. ''
 'I didn't intend to explain them, he told her, stung by the inainuation.
 "You will excuse me further, " she re- queSted icily motioning to retire.
 Mot till-oh. not till you have for given me-" he cried impulsively, bar ring her exit, for repentance had come swiftly this time.
 But she did not forgive him. II can wait," she said. Then he stepped aside and she passed by him without a second glance,
 She sent word to Hector the following day to come to her. And when he was there ill the late afternoon they walked | together to the end of the gallery-the part that was vine sheltered and where | the perfume was thickest.
 Hector" she said after awhile, ''some one has told me should not be | seen upon the streets of New Orleans | with you"
 He was trimming a long rose stem with his sharp penknife. He did not stop | what he was doing, nor start, nor look | nor anything of the sort.
 "Indeed l' he said.
 'But you know" she went on, eff the saints came down from heaven to tell me there was a reason for it I | couldn't believe them"
 "You wouldn't believe them, ma pe- 5ite Suzanne?" He was getting all the 5horns off nicely and stripping away the neavv lower leaves. LNERTILIZERS.- have inst re-