The Opelousas courier., 1898-02-05
next month. The cards are already

next month. The cards are alread,
out"
"What!" cried Rosa, her sapphire
blue eyes blazing, her rosy lips apart
"To be married land he engaged
to me J."
And hen Rosa rushed away into the
barn-chamber, and hid herself for full
two hours, to sob out the current Of
her grief.
Mrs. Dale smiled and sighed.
"Who would think the child would
have attached SO much Importance to
a piece of nonsense like that 9' said
she. "Really, I'm afraid I have
made @ mistake in allowing her to
read so many novels. But she was
always an impetuous little creature ="
Rosa wrote several narrowing let
tiers to Mr.. Barbazon, all of which she
finally tore up, and when she saw
the marriage proclaimed in the news
papers she gave the big wax doll to a
little girl who was only eleven years
and six months old.
"She won't have~py associations
connected with - sigAad Rosa.
And about that time she 1S promo.
ted to a high Grade in schooN began
lessons on tin guitar, and pMsher
unhappy love affair At of her minN
1t could not hsag been more than
eight years subsequently that the col
lision occurred on the Grand Canal at
Venice, in which of the gondolas
capsized, and a1eautiful young Amer
lean lady, neice of the then United
States consul, received a ducking.
Perhaps the romantically-dressed
Condo iers were intoxicated perhaps
Miss Barony had, as they asserted,
risen hastily, to point out something,
and destroyed the balance of the
mouldy, black-velvet-lined old convey
ance. At all events, Miss Barony was
upset, directly in front of the Palazzo
di Silvia, where Mr.. Brabazon oceu.
pied the first floor, a marble-paved
desolation of old pictures, broken
nosed statues, and orange trees in
tubs.
OF course, Mr.. Brabazon sent out
his valet to offer his services. OF
course, they carried Miss Barony in,
and laid her on a sofa (draped with
tapestry which somebody said Lucre-
zia Borgia had helped to embroidery,
and made much of her.
"But how ridiculous all this is !"
said Miss Barony, with merriment
cleaning in her beautiful, dark-blue
eyes. 81 an a little wet, to-be-sure,
but otherwise I am entirely unframed.
Why didn't they put me in the Condo
again and send me back to my
palazzo ?"
Mr.. Brabazon, however, was far too
.hospitable for that. His capped and
specialized old housekeeper was ready
with spiced drinks and great baskets
Of grapes and cake, and he himself
was all politeness and chivalrous
courtesy.
Miss Barony gazed c%uriously around.
How angelically beautiful she looked,
wrapped in the violet velvet cloak,
with ermine, her cheeks flushed
With softest rose, her eyes sparkling,
Ter hair hanging in a fringe Of dark
gold over her forehead
"Where is Lady Helen Braba-
on ?" she asked abruptly.
Mr.. Brabszcn WINGED.
"She has oeen dead for a year, "
'e said. Il an a widower. You
we're acquainted with my late wife 2"
ooh, no, not at all " said Miss
"Only, of course, all the
'orld has heard of her. She was a
amous beauty, wasn't she ?"
"she was very lovely, said the
'idower.
When Miss Barony was carried
way in a newly-summoned gondola, !
hose picturesque oarsmen were more
} be relied upon than their predeces. I
DIS, MI. Brabazon asked permission t
call at the consulate, to inquire t
ow she was, in the course of a day
: two /; and Miss Barony accorded {
le permission as a young queen !
light have done. |
Miss Barony was young, beautiful t
piquant ; Mr.. Brabazon, whose a
had been nearly badgered out of t
m by the caprices, exactions and s
'rying temper of the late Lady Helen, s
charmed by her sunny brilliance.; Il
ID ct a months end he came to Mr.. s
srony, the United States consul, to b
k permission to press his suit. g.
MI. Barony looked conscious. Il
Didn't you know ?" said he. y
She is engaged. o
Engaged !" repeated Mr.. Braba- d
n, his heart seeming to turn to q t.
mp Of ice within him. d
"Quite an old affair, I believe. " h
id the consul. "But perhaps YOU a
d better see my neice herself about OF
III give her your message. She OF
a decide to suit herself. a
Miss Barony was prettier than ever, W
her cool muslin dress and pale blua p,
as she sat among the jessa- 10
nes and pomegranates of the con- di
ate reception room the next day. Sc
receive Mr.. Brabazon. He had
'ech carefully prepared, wherein all
expressions were carefully bal
led, and the exact words stationed Sc
heir exact places but he forgot it in
at the fair vision of her perfect ut
eliness, and could only stand help di
before her, and say ce
: Miss Barony, / love you'll" I'M
So you have been driven to con- WI
J it at last, said Miss Barony. Of
fter all these years? AT
1 don't understand you," said tn
Brabazon. au
You have forgotten me, said cal