The Mineral argus., 1883-11-29

whose cyniclsm - as mucn lOf nrfsth
az for him, she gives the note to Lucille,
expecting an instant rejection otthe man
motives in pursuing them they
lad both so misunderstood. But with a
CAV laugh, Then my sympathy has
been all without cause" the girl cries.
"By all means let him come, my Jeanne.
IL cannot wound you who have long
ago ceased TO regret him, and he is the
best party in Paris aud tres bell homme
Tor his age"
IL is quite true there can be no obiec-
lions 20 the wealthy and distinguished
MARQUIS de Pallissier il Lucille is willing
none but the pain at her heart, which
she is too ashamed even to confess to
herself. So a note Is written, fixing an
hour for his first visit, and Nine. de
Miramon prepares herself TO meet the
man whom she last saw alone IN all the
passionate anger of a lovers quarrel.
There is the sound of wheels in the
courtyard, and she rises with nasty
glance at her reflection In the mirror,
Ellis old friend" she murmurs. scorn-
fully, 81 dare say l look an old woman
beside Lucille"
Then she turns with a look of graceful
welcome, for the door is thrown open
and a servant announces:
IN. le Marquis de Pallissier."
Nothing could give me greater pleas
ure tnan to receive as my sisters sultor
the old friehd of whom the world tells
me such noble things" She utters her
little speech as though size had not re.
hearsed il a dozen times, and holds out
her pretty hand TO bin.
you are too good, madame" he re-
plies, very low; AMI she reflects that he
is, OF course, a little embarrassed. II
am afraid you had much to forgive in
those days so lone ago, but ( ime, l trust
has changed me-"
"It would be sad, indeed, if time did
not give US wisdom and GOODNESS in ex-
change for all IL takes from u.s." she
says, with a Quick thrill of pain that he
should speak OF ten years as il it were
an eternity.
mot GOODNESS" he exclaims, coming,
nearer, and looking at her with eyes
that made her feel like a girl again. IF
you could see NV heart, you"
May i enter, my sister" asks the
gay voice of Lucille, as she appears from
behind the pOrtiere at so fortunate a
moment for the success of her plot that
it is to be feared that she had been
eavesdropping.
De Paliissier turns as once and press
es her hand to his lips.
"Mademoiselle," he Gays tenderly, 81
am at your feet"
Then begins a charming little comedy
of love-making, in which Lucille plays
her role with pretty coQuettry anc he
with infinite zeal.
And the chAperon bends over her
lace-wOrk anl hears the cafessing tones
she thought she had forgotten. and sees
the tender glances h imdglneS b had
sAnUnA - 900 NJ nHWnn ~ haM NnHNnn-
er sister in her garded presence.
She is very patient and used TO suffering
but at length she can endure no longer,
and not daring TO leave the room she
moves away to a distant writing table
where she is at least beyond hearing.
There is an instant pause between the
conspirators, and while De Palissier's
ewes wistfully follow Mme. de Miramon,
Lucille seizes her opportunity with a
promptness that would have done cred
1t 10 a Richelieu or a Talleyrand, or any
other prince.
Courage, monsieur she murmurs.
"She has been cold to me ever since
your note came.P
"HOu would make charming Jeune
premier at the Francois only when you
do say anything very tender, do you re-
member to look at me instead ofJeanne.
Aud she breaks into a laugh SC utterly
amused that he presently laughs. too,
and the sound of their mirth causes an
odd blot in the poor chaperon's writing
A month has dragged by wretchedly
enough, both 10 the conspiratOrs and
their victim, and like all things earthly.
has come 10 an end at last. Even Lu-
Giles energy could not keep De Pals
sier to his role, if he did not believe
that in surrendering il he must give up
the bittersweet of Jeanne's daily pres
ence, which even IN ITS serene lndltter'
ence had become the one charm Of life
10 him. Nine de Miramon and her sis
ter are spending a week at her villa neal
Paris, and Pallissler, who is to accom-,
pany them on a riding party, has arrived
a little late, and finds both sisters already
IN the courtyard. with some horses and
grooms, when he enters. Lucille comes
10 him at once and he dismonnts, with
look Of alarm instead OF fiber usual cOquet
~.
DO not let Jeanne ride Etoile." she
said a~nxiously. ''She has thrown Gull
laume this ~mOraing.'
Niue. de MiramOn is standing beside
an old groom, who Is holding the horse
in question, and she does not o a
her sister or De Palissier as they APP
prOach.
"Let me ride Etoile, and take my hors'
to-day, madame" De Palissier says ca
gerly. Il should like 20 master a hors'
who has thrown 50 excellent a groom Al
Guillaume."
80 should /" she says with a hard
little laugh, and she steps on the block
"Jeannel" cries Lucille.
81 entreat you for your sisters sake
She will be terribly alarmed" DE Pals
sier says hurriedly.
Then you must consola her. INT
greater her alarm the greater your de
HOhtfnl task. monster, /" andsshe looks a