My daughter's yonder, sir, beside that table. Pink ribbons, sir. Don't tell me you're un

I'll have no trifling, if you please, with her." "Trifling?"

"Yes, sir. You know you've jilted five. Every one knows it-every man alive." "Allow me-"

"No, sir. Every father knows

Your reputation, damaging to those

Who-"

"Sir, indeed-"

"How dare you in this place

Stare half an hour in my daughter's face?"

Sapristi, monsieur! I protest—I swearI never looked at her."

He angered me, this man who would suppose I thought of nothing but his girl.

Meantime

The black coat maundered on in dreary rhyme. Papa and I, getting more angry ever, Exchanged fierce glances, speaking both together,

While no one round us knew what we were at. "It was my daughter, sir."

No, sir-my hat." Speak lower, gentlemen," said some one near. "You'll give account for this, sir. Do you hear?"

"Of course, sir."

"Then before the world's astir,

You'll get my card, sir."

"I'll be ready, sir."

A pretty quarrel! Don't you think it so? A moment after, all exclaimed, "Bravo!" Black coat had finished. All the audience made

A general move toward ice and lemonade. The coast was clear; my way was open

now;

My hat was mine. I made my foe a bow, And hastened, fast as lover could have moved, Through trailing trains, toward the dear thing I loved.

I tried to reach it.

"Here's the hat, I think,

You are in search of."

Shapely, soft, and pink,

A lovely arm, a perfect arm, held out

My precious hat. Impelled by sudden doubt,

I raised my eyes. Pink ribbons trimmed her

dress.

"Here, monsieur, take it. 'Twas not hard to

guess

What made you look this way. You longed

to go.

You were so sleepy, nodding-see!—just so.
Ah, how I wished to help you, if I could!
I might have passed it possibly. I would
Have tried by ladies' chain, from hand to hand,
To send it to you, but, you understand,
I felt a little timid-don't you see?—

For fear they might suppose-Ah! pardon me;
I am too prone to talk. I'm keeping you.
Take it. Good-night."

Sweet angel, pure and true! My looks to their real cause she could refer, And never thought one glance was meant for her.

Oh, simple trust, pure from debasing wiles! I took my hat from her fair hand with smiles,

And hurrying back, sought out my whilom foe, Exclaiming :

"Hear me, sir. Before I go, Let me explain. You, sir, were in the right. 'Twas not my hat attracted me to-night. Forgive me, pardon me, I entreat, dear sir. I love your daughter, and I gazed at her." "You, sir?"

He turned his big round eyes on me,

Then held his hand out.

"Well, well, we will see."

Next day we talked.

about.

That's how it came

And the result you see. My secret's out.
It was last Tuesday, as I said, and even
Add, she's an angel, and my home is—heaven.
Her father, mild in spite of mien severe,
Holds a high office-is no cuirassier.

Besides a boon few bridegrooms can command

He is a widower-so-you understand.