The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-03-10
VOL. /.

ne was attlred In pain clOtnes, Delng APP
parently equipped for an ordinary ride; he
had obtained, since the previous day sew
eral recruits of both sexes, and now real
ly formed an imposing body. Though
long prepared for such an occurrence l
could not help a certain discomfort and
secretly cursed those indefatigable idlers.
Nevertheless, the thought of retreating
never occurred to me; l had lost all taste
for flight for the rest of my days.
As the cavalcade drew nearer, could
hear smothered laughter and whisperings,
the subject of which was but too evident
to me- / must confess that a spark of
anger was beginning to burn in my heart,
and while going on with my work with
an appearance of undated interest, and
INDUCING in admiring motions of the head
before my water-color, was lending to
the scene gong on behind me somber
and vigilant attention. However, the first
intention of the party seemed to be to spare
my misfortune; instead OF following the
path by the side (which was established,
and which was the shortest way to the
ruins, they turned aside towards the right,
and filed by in silence. One alone among
them, falling out of the main group, came
rapidly in my direction, and stopped with
in ten steps Of my studio; though my face
was bent over my drawing, | felt, by that
strange intuition which every one knows,
human look fixed upon me. l raised
my eyes with an air of Indifference, drop
ping them again almost Immediately; that
rapid gesture had been sufficient to enable
me to recognize that indiscreet observer,
the young lady with the blue feathers, the
original cause of all my mishaps She was
there, boldly seated on her horse, her chin
raised, her ewes half closed, examining me
from head to foot with admirable inso-
lence. / had thought it best at first, out
of respect for her sex, to abandon myself
without resistance TO her impertinent Gu
riosity; but after a few seconds, as she
manifested no intention Of putting an end
to her proceedings, | lost patience, and,
raising my head more openly, fixed my
eyes upon her with polite gravity, but per-
sisting steadiness She blushed; seeing
which, ! bowed. She returned me a
a slight inclination of the bead, and, mov-
ing off at a canter, she disappeared under
the vault of the old church. thus re-
manned master of the field, keenly relish>
ing the triumph of fascination had just
obtained over that little person. whom
there certainly was considerable merit in
putting out of countenanoe.
The ride through the forest lasted some
twenty minutes, and l soon beheld the
brilliant fantasia debouching pell-mell
from the portal l feigned again a pro-
found abstraction; but this time again. one
of the riders lett the company and adj
vanced toward me; he was a man of tall
stature, who wore blue frock-coat, but
toned up to his chin, in military style
He was marching so straight upon my lit
tie establishment, that | could not help
supposing he intended passing right over
it for the amusement OF the ladies'. Twas
therefore watching him with furtive but
wide awake glance, when l had the satis-
faction Of seeing him stop within three
steps of my camping-stool, and removing
his hat:
Monsieur" he said, in full and frank
tone of voice, twill you permit me to look
at your drawing?'
l returned his salutation, nodded in to-
ken of acquiescence, and went on with my
, work After a moment of silent contem-
plation the unknown equestrian, apparent
" yielding to the violence of his impress
, sions, allowed few laudatory epithets to
, ceCdpc hlini tnen, IcouninS ule uISOb al
locution:
. Monsieur" he said, ''allow me to re-
i turn thanks to your talent; we shall be in-
debted to it, I feel quite sure, for the pres
ervation Of these ruins, which are the or,
, nament of our district"
abandoned at once my reserve, which
could no longer be anything but childish
sulkiness, and i replied, as / thought |
@ should, that be was approaching with too
ri much indulgence mere amateur sketch;
: that certainly had the greatest desire OF
! saving these beautiful ruins, but that the
/ most important part of my work threat
ened to remain quite Insignificant, for
!. want of historical information which had
vainly tried to find in the archives OF the
n county-seat
4 "Parbleu, Monsieur" rejoined the horse.
= man, You please me greatly. have in
s my library large proportion of the ar
chives of the Abbey. Come and consult
r them at your leisure. shall feel grateful
to you for doing So"
II / thanked him with some embarrass-
II ment regretted not to have known il
sooner. l feared being recalled to Paris
> by letter which l was expecting every
e day. Nevertheless, had risen to make
n this answer. the i'll grace ofwhich l strovs
v to alternate by the courteousness of my
r attitude. At this time / formed clearer
), idea Of my interlocutor. He was hand,
s some old man, with broad shoulders, who
is seemed to carry with ease the weight o.
v some sixty winters, and whose bright blue
4 eyes expressed the kindliest good feeling
e "Comel comel" he exclaimed, "let us
: speak frankly. You feel some repugnanct
J, at mingling with that band of hare-brain.
i ed scamps you see yonder, and whom
e tried in vain yesterday to keep out Of {
a silly affair, for which now beg to tende
d you my sincere apologies. Ny name il
d the Marquis de Malouet, sir. After all
Is you went off with the honors of the day
d They wished to see you; you did not wisl
.e to be seen. You carried your point. Wha
Of else can you ask?"
l. could not help laughing on hearin!
t. such favorable Interpretation of my un
lucky scrape.
to "You laugh" rejoined the old marquis
g bravo! we'll soon come to an understand
OF ing, then. Now, what's to prevent you
b, coming to my house? Ny wife has request
I'd ed me to invite you; she has heard in de
DIS tail all your annoyances of yesterday
at She has an angels disposition, my wife
l *** She is no longer young, always il
er mere breath; but she's an angel.
SIS I'll locate you in the library; ~ YOU
r live like hermit, if you like. Mo
re Dieu! see it all, tell you: these madcap
Mt of mine friohten won. Won ore a serion