The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-10-14
ff.saUEL

tOOGl.
'That is" said a voice musical as run
ming waters, sit was left TO me by-ny
mother. She used toiwear it"
There was already a certain free friendli-
ness in her words, although her manner
was polished aud distant, as if she could
tell to me the little fact she would have
kept from another 1 have faneied since
then that, all uneonsciously, she recog-
nizeG the affinity that existed between us,
and would have chosen words more re-
served had the finder been any body but
myself - t-i
May ask yoa to describe this arti-
cle?"- l said again. t,rf ~ ~
i'A chain of graduated fligrane beads,
sir-gold, of course, struck in the Gener.
al with military precision. .'Quite unique
beauty, and-in rarity. 1t was wound
three times round the wrist Either the
finder must be an adroit thief-ahem II
beg you ten thousand pardons, monsieur
ten thousand pardons !"
do not be concerned sir. Pray pro-
ceed. ~ lsrA lltIli z
81 would say, then that Madamoiselle
Rochejaquelein is"
every careless, papa, she said sweetly.
81 confess that do not remember it slip
ping over my hand; was $3.50 entdet
with the play. l remember turning too, .
she added. 'tand seeing no one seated near
who. could be considered suspicious. All
this with the charming color varying on
her cheek, as it shifted to and fro, in a
way to drive the gazer distracted.
''Sir, said, Madamoiselle Rochejaque-
lein is not to be eblamed; although, ss am
the lucky finder the alternative leaves me
in the unpleasant predioament of your
fadroit thief l am fortunate in that the
accident has afforded me the occasion of
meeting with Gen. de Rochedaquelein, of
whose valor and distinguished actions I
have heard SO much. We have some
friends in common, permit me to say:
Madame Roselius and Judge Wontper are,
I believe, both well known to you. lam
happy to be able to restore the braeel,'
msdamoiselle.
But held the beautiful chain still If
passed il to the General, should lose the
warm touch of those little hands-the
glance of these grateful eyes; but If. ignor-
ing the superior authority of the General,
I gave it to his daughter, l ran the risk ~
offending him. So the General had the
bracelet; and Jaqueline went on with her
work.
1 felt, even at that early period, that 1
could serve for her as long the Patriarch
Jacob served for Raehel-if might be let
do 1t. The General invited me to a seat.
Ny notice of his valor had gratifed him,
and brought the blood to cheek as brown
and as wrinkled as a winter pear. My men
ton of the two mutual friends we posst S.
ed in this great city, whose acquaintance
ship with himself and 1 we had discovered
that morning. and the name on the card I
had rendered, stamped me, in position at
least, as one not unworthy of his friend
ship. Meanwhile, / had done them ser
vice: must ha We glass of wine and
cracker with him. The old domestic whom
they called Moisette, served it with the
Difference she would have paid a marquis.
must do them the honor OF calling again,
the General said; and he Would be proud
to wait upon me at my house.
He did wait upon mel did call-and
this happened again and again; but too
often without my seeing Jaqueline. Some
times the pretty girl would peep in and
vanish-or she would enter to serve her
father and myself with the glass of wine
and cracker, and then disappear altogether.
The time passed. l grew more intimate
at the house-she less shy.
Sitting there one day with the General,
uGE 1dCc-NOIh lEdLlC ucdT, NdntlEB
its mistress, / took the opportunity of
scanning the exquisite embroidery of lea
and vine and blossom, run TO riot in their
white wilderness there, and, as 1 moved
my hand with seeming carelessness or set
ting half dozen stitches backward.
''Prenez garde !" said this practical old
fellow; ''you will do mischief" and then
he plunged back again into the advance of
L. NH ha ho1 1a&a
1 called the next morn. 7g to leave book
that the General had Sisired 10 borrow.
Mademoiselle Jaqueli1e was alone in the
room when was announced by the old do
mestic, who assured me that the General
would descend now sat once" Nolsette
always treated me in familiar manner, as
if possibly 1 might aspire to an equality
with herself, bat as if neither 1 nor any
other of my countrymen could ever meet
her master and mistress on n footing. 1t
is a way and belief, that she has to this
day.
Mademoiselle Jaqueline's greeting had
all its national formality, and, Immediately
after returned it, she resumed her work
in silence Then l saw her lips slowly be-
gin to quiver, ever so little, the corners of
her mouth to bury themselves in dimples-
the pearls to gleam-a and finally she broke
cut in a merry peal of laughter, like the
hke-hearted, sweet child she was.
"Why did you make such mischief in
my work Z" she said. why did you snarl
my thread, and pucker my net and spoil
my rose :,
"Perhaps because tnat, instead OF max
ing your escape TINS morning. you might
be ooiigea 10 stay and ask me why, Made
molselle JaquelIne, was my bold answer.
Mademolselle drew IN, as II n-resentlng 1t.
The dlmples went aWay-the month grew
grave. ------...--.-----.-...--
tI must tell you, monsieur, that you are
not to touch my work" she said. Then,
after little silence, IN which one blush
had chased another across her cheek, she
went on in lower tone. tI-monsieur-
sell itF
don't say the avowal did not give me a
shock certainly had wondered at the
instaat5 unWeeried weaving OF that beeuti-
ful embroidery: but had never thought OF
this. Ideas whlried through my mind.
was rich; could not-bah 1t would never
have done All to do now was to let her
see mysurprise- ft7fft
''And receive fabulous sums for it, ]
dare say, -mademoiselle, was my careless
remark. sI have small cousin at home
who sells her water-color drawings"
IT Was TO uut her at ease. Bat she be-