Year: 1871

ana De with CarlOta Wnen the DaS came TO
be returned. My calculations resulted fa-
vorably. Sam came rushing to my office q
few days after, saying the carpet-bag and
laundress were already on the way to the
boarding house. 1 caught up the bouquet
from my table and hurried over to-
Street, sending up word to Carlota she was
wanted in the parlor.


She came down, looking so like the queen
of roses herself l came near forgetting
business, carpet-bag and my own wits, in
the thrill of admiration. She accepted the
bouquet of rosebuds with brilliant smile,
| yet laid them down on the table in few
moments as if they were worthless things !;
and then, with jealous vexation, noticed a
cluster of scarlet geraniums nesting in the
silky coils of raven hair, just like the
flowers had seen Ned Wilkins twirling
in his hand that morning, when he came
over to the house.


"She wears his flowers" thought I bit
terly. al will never see mine again after
give them to her hand"


How differently she treated us; with
him so gay and free, and easy, but to me
always so silent and reserved l tried to
forget those doleful ruminations and con-
converse in my usual manner, but our con-
versation was fitful and awkwark, and !
was thankful when Ann appeared at the
door with the bag on her arm.


"Please, Miss Carlota, give me the key
of your room SO that / can put away your
clothes: they have come"


"Ah," said !, at once, wondering all the
time if she noticed the unnatural tremor of
my voice, "there's that bag again. Do
you know, Miss Romez-I beg your pardon.
Senorita Carlota-she disliked being called
Miss Romez-that have taken a great in
terest in your property from the glimpse l
caught of it on the stairway the other day?
have known of just such bag, so like
it that it seems impossible to believe that
this is not the identical one. Pray where
did you procure it? / wonder if my friends
and yours were not sometime twins in the
same makers shop?"


She colored slightly, hesitated moment,
and then replied, evasively, "Ah yes,
dare say it might have been. brought
mine with me from home"


"Then you have always owned ito" l
returned, ashamed of my pertinacity when
saw the look of distress on her ingenious
face.


Her dark lustrous eyes were fixed in
quiringly on my face. She took up her fan,
and waving it languidly to and fro with the
true Spanish grace, attempted to answer
playfully.


Certainly, Senior c., you are one of
the Yankees my father has such horror
of. / dare not indulge your curiosity, lest
you by-and-by chance on dangerous sub
jects. Did you know we are going home
next week to stay while, and then l am
coming back to attend the seminary here
and learn to be like your American ladies
My father says must not be so ignorant"


"That is news indeed. Pray don't un-
learn your own native gracefulness, senorita.
fancy most of the American ladies would
like to be taught by YOU"


A pretty blush acknowledged the COM
pliment, and she chatted on with more
freedom than / had been favored with for
long time back understood the cause
but the effect was no less sweet to me.
She sought to engoss my attention and
prevent further allusion to the carpet-bag.
1t was not that she cared to please or en-
tertain me. would rather have dealt my
self sharp blow than have spoken of it
again nevertheless, just before l turned
from the door, said


$50 you will not tell me how you came
to have that carpet-bag in your posses
sion?"


! was startled at the change that swept
over her face. The pretty bushes and
dimples died off scared and affrighted from
the soft round cheeks. The sparkles flick
cred out from the eye, and left the iris
black and dim with some brooding sorrow
and when / caught her hand, crying,
pardon me. meant nothing it is but an
idle jest" a shower of tears fell down upon
it.


Gazing dreamily upon the crystal drops
still glittering on my. hand with all of a
lovers foolish fancies, but none of a lovers
hope, | returned along the crowded street
to my Office. AT the door met with Ned
Wilkins. lie held out his hand. put my
left into it, begrudging him the one so late
ly sanctihed by Carlota's tears and then,
ashamed of the Weakness laid them both
in his honest friendly clasp.