The National tribune., 1881-10-29

had struck him unawares.
| "Eh!-eh ?-you don't mean to say that Mon
sieur de Slecal is annoyed about you and me ?"
| She was standing up also, and they were face
| to face.
| "Annoyed. that is not the word He is in
| famed with passion and he swears that he will
have your life! But what does that matter? ~
this with one of those smiles Mr.. Jones used to
think irresistible" he has not got it yet"
But Mr. Jones did not view it in that light.
He was pacing up and down the room, trying TO
| digest the news the best he could.
"It matters great deal to me. 1 assure you,
and can assure him. that had no more idea OF
such a thing than-than | had of stealing the
monument It's preposterous You don't mean
| to say that he thinks we are in love with each
| other?"
| 1t was plain question to which she could not
| find it in her heart to give plain answer. To
! her the position was quite as 1t should be. She
| had all the Frenchwomans love for questionable
love-making, and a touch of tragedy was the one
thing wanting.
"How shall | tel? ? How can you ask me? He
sees that we are much together"
"But, hang it," interrupted Mr. Jones, begin
Slecal; "Im in love with Agnes Cheshire, and
was this minute going to ask you to say word
| for me in that direction"
The effect of this speech took him aback. His
experience had hitherto lain with ladies of his
! own land. Frenchwomen were race unknown
| to him. 1t is certain he had never figured in
! such questionable proceedings before, nor would
have done so now if he had only seen where he
| was going.
"You are in love with Agnes Cheshire-Miss
Cheshire you dare to tell me to my tace
COchon! How dare you to insult me-"
Her language and appearance were undoubt-
edly fiery, and Mr. Jones was staggered.
"Insult you! What do you mean? How have
I insulted you? l only said that loved Miss
Cheshire"
"Only! He says, only and have braved
my husbands wrath to be told that he is false!"
And Madame de Slecal showed immediate signs
of fanting. AS a gentleman, the only thing Mr.
Jones could do was to ran forward and catch her.
in case she fell. When she knew he was at her
hand to render her that service, she lost no time
in falling and he had the satisfaction of support
ing her. awkwardly enough, with her head
upon his shoulder
Madame de Slecal, for gracious sake don't
faint! Supposing some one was to come and find
US. This is the most horrible situation l ever
heard Of Upon my word and honor, had no
more idea of insulting you than had of going to
the moon Any satisfaction which, as a gentle
man, l can offer you-hang it there's some one
coming!"
There was; he was right Steps were heard
H.. A. &c
turned He made frantic effort to place his
burden a chair, giving her little shaking by
way of restorative. But he too late; the
door opened and there, standing motionless on
the threshold, was Monsieur de Slecal.
Mr.. Jones has been heard to declare that the
sensations of that moment were equal to years of
agony. He was turned into statue and for a
moment lost the power of speech. There stood
Mr.. Jones with his arms around the fainting
lady, and there stood Monsieur de Slecal, glaring
at him with angry eyes.
Monsieur de Slecal was in person something
like the picture of Don Quixote, tall and thin and
| rusty, with high cheek-bones, a long white i'm
perial, and fierce mustaches, twisted to a point
ON either side, and with general stiffness which
| made one wonder whether, at any period of his
existence, poker had been introduced into his
internal economy. No mistaking the kind of
man he was he carried his cane as though it
were a sword, and his attitudes were taken from
the small-sword drill
He came forward stiffly-you almost expected
to hear him creak-Jones remaining though
fascinated by serpent's glance.
"Monsieur Shoones, when you have released
Madame, will have our small discussion"
His English was not so good as Madame's. He
said: "Shoones," meaning Jones" and his ac
cent might fairly be described as being as angu-
lar as his person.
Before l put her down." replied Mr.. Jones'
finding his tongue, II tell you, Monsieur de Sle
CAL that know more what's the matter with
her than-than do what's gong to happen in
the middle of next century"
THAT" rejoined Monsieur rustily, Monsieur
Shoones among other things, will be matter for
our discussion"
Having volunteered his little explanation, Mr..
floor, and bear her to neigbboring sofa. She
lay like log in his arms, Monsieur standing
stock still, never offering the slightest aid AS
soon as she was placed comfortably upon the
couch, and Mr.. Jones turned to leave her, as
though, matter of course, she would faint
forever, or at any rate, "come to " at her own
sweet will, she rather surprised him by reviving
on the instant, sitting up, and rubbing her eyes