Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-04-27
Ill.

way btudTu. Ac
baroness de Pontiac and her daughter
had arrived, and called on Nine. d'Har-
court. Of course, on Horace's return he
would be dancing attendance upon his
fiancee.
Robert had written I was too de-
pressed to feel wounded at the tone of
his reply, or might have resented his
agreeing with me on the desirability of
breaking off the engagement. In post
script he added that he had 1.-The promise
of the vicarage of Capel-le-ferne, and
the Fl ,500a year; and I came to the
Conclusion that his joy at his worldly,
advancement had taken away the sting
from his hearts adversely. / was
thankful thatit was so.aT The morning
sea was a tempting remedy Ito drown
dull care, so strolled down leisurely to
the beach: 1 was late, and when I
emerged from my sscabane'' found a
crowd of gossiping idlers in possession
of every chair and available seat. Not
a nook or corner but was filled with gay
couples, working, schattering, smoking
and '''frivoling." -ks
Classically draped in my white wrap
per. my hair piled up on high, undisfig
ured with the .oilskin cap the. French la
dies affected, ( hurriedly walked through
the criticizing audience, and leaving my
mantle in Perrine's care, was soon dis
porting myself in the crisp, sunny waves.
After longer swim than usual [ waded
out dripping Niobe. looked for Per-
rine and my wrapper-in vain !; she was
nowhere to be seen. After momentary
hesitation prepared to run the CANT
let of the assembled multitude and
make quick rush at my sheltering ca
bane.
With sudden inspiration, unloos-
ened my long hair and let its shining
golden glory fall around my costume,
thereby feeling little less abject, and
so made my way through the 'smob, -
as I spitefully called the loungers SUR
rounding the cabanes. With ludi-
crous sense of humiliation and flaming
cheeks, 1 saw Horace in lively conversa-
ton with a Partisan elegante exactly in
front of my haven of refuge. I made a
frantic dart at the canvas door. to- be,
greeted with the sight of an unmistaka-
Bile pair Of manly boots. 4 I turned and
fed-oh! miserie! in my confusion
had forgotten the number. I must pass
them, vaguely wondering if beach ETH
quette expected me to acknowledge
Horace. prepared for another dash
when lady obligingly pointed out a
canvas tent with polite "c'est la,
mademoiselle, and rushed to hide my
bushes under the friendly canvas. On
my return, Bonne-maman told me she
expected the Baroness de Pontiac and
her daughter and Horace. s
Although was broken hearted, vanity
was not dead; determined to look my
best. l gathered my hair in knot, and
placed among the wavy fringe of curls
some gorgeous crimson tinnias. half
feared rebuke from Bonnie maman as
to being overdressed-so slipped on a
black silk gown, wherein had artfully
inserted white lace tucker and shiny
jet-embroidered ruffles; another cluster
of scarlet tinnias and black mittens fin
ished off the severe and unbecoming
costume, in which entered the room
prepared to make the acquaintance of
the hateful de Pontacs. .-
Mile. Berthe only was there, arrayed
in fashionable attire, and was scarcely
surprised to recognize in her Horace's
lively companion of the morning.
Horace behaved beautifully in Bonnie
maman's eyes. After greeting me coldly,
he overlooked my significant presence,
lost in the overpowering brilliancy of
the sparkling and amusing Berthe She
absorbed him entirely. They were max
ing arrangements for q trip to Mont st.
Michel, where he and I had talked of
going. How wretched felt. how wild
the scraps I heard: ssTrain from st.
Malo-carriage at Dot, ON to the
Hospice." must make diversion,
and somewhat abruptly asked Mile. de
Pontiac to play OR sing. In vain Bonnie
maman objected that it was getting
dusk, and she did not want lights, as it
rested her eyes. Mile. Berthe, grace
fully shaking out her puffs and laces,
sweetly observed that she would play
for Nine. d'Harcourt, and sing for
mademoiselle.
She ratified through noisy and bril-
liant piece, and then her voice, sharp
and metallic, filled the air: ssSi vous
n 'avez rien me dire.'' She was sing
ing it at Horace, who, apparently buried
in thought, was sitting near her. I
wondered if he remembered it as one of
songs had often sung to him. Bonnie
maman coughed and fidgeted and shiv-
cred; Mile. Berthe bravely sang on,
sometimes fiat, sometimes sharp, finish
at last on note that Jared every nerve
and fiber. .ssi.-. IGi ft q
Horace was profuse in thanks, and I,
too, thanked her, and added immedi-
ately: "Shall I sing you little English
balladP" Bonne-maman interrupted to
order the lamp, but I maliciously re-
marked that I would sing q twilight
song first. could not resist my antici-
pated triumph. Straight from my heart
the words rang out, ''In the Gloaming,'
and vibrating strangely through the
dusk came the farewell to my love, mine
no longer; 'Best. for you and best for
me.n g,4,. ,..,e = o.. '..s--g -af, - /
must have sung better than usual,
from the deep silence paid as tribute to
mytalent, and under cover of the dark
ness rose, and stealing silently to the
door, sought the friendly night wherein
to hide my sorrow. Perrine met me
with the lamp, and leaving the hateful