The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-10-05

little speech as naturally as though she
had not rehearsed it dozen times, and
holds out her pretty hand to him.
" You are too good, madame" he re-
plies, very low; and she reflects that he
is, of course, little embarrassed. 81
am afraid you had much to forgive in
those days so long ago, but time, l trust,
has changed me-"
cit would be sad, indeed, if time did
not give us wisdom and GOODNESS in ex-
change for all it takes from us, she says,
with a quick thrill of pain that he
should speak of ten years as if it were
an eternity.
"Not coldness," he exclaims, coming
nearer, and looking at her with eyes that
make her feel girl again eff you could
see my heart, you"
"May l enter, my sister," asks the
gay voice of Lucille, as she appears from
behind the portiere at SO fortunate a mo-
ment for the success of her plot that it
is to be feared that she had been caves
dropping.
De Palissier turns at once and presses
her hand to his lips
" Mademoiselle, " he says, tenderly, 81
am at your feet"
Then begin q charming little comedy
of ove-making, in which Lucille plays
her role with pretty coquetry and he with
infinite zeal
And the chaperon bends over her lace
work and hears the caressing tones she
thought she had forgotten, and sees the
tender glances she imagined she had
ceased to regret, all given to her young
sister in her unregarded 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 distant writing table where she
is at least beyond hearing.
There is an instant pause between the
conspirators, and while De Palissier's
eyes wistfully follow Nine. de Mira
mon, Lucille seizes her opportunity with
a promptncss that would have done
credit to a Richclieu or Talleyrand, or
any other prince of schemers.
Courage, monsieur y she murmurs.
"She has been cold to me ever since
your note came. You would make a
charming jeune premier at the Francois,
only when you do say anything very
tender do you remember to look at me
instead of Jeanne" And she breaks
into Il laugh so utterly amused that he
presently laughs, too, and the sound of
their mirth causes an odd blot in the
poor chaperons writing.
A month has dragged by wrctchedly
enough, both to the conspirators and
their victim, and, like all things earthly,
has come to an end at last. Even
Lucille's energy could not keep De Pals
sicr to his role. if he did not believe
that in surrcndering it he must give up
the bitter-swcet of Jeanne's daily
presence, which even in its serene in
difference had become the one charm of
life to him. Nine de Miramon and her
sister are spending week at her villa
near Paris and De Palissier, who is to
accompany them on riding party, has
arrived Il little late, and finds both sisters
already in the court yard, with some
horses and grooms, when he enters
Lucille comes to him at once as he dis
mounts, with a look of alarm instead of
her usual coquctry.
do not let Jeanne ride Etoile," she
said, anXiously. She has thrown
Guillaumc this morning."
Nine. de Miramon is standing beside
an old groom, who is holding the horse
in question: and she does not look at her
sister or De Palissier as they approach.
Let me ride Etoile, and take my
horse to-day, madame" De Palissier says,
eagerly. Il should like to master
horse who has thrown so excellent u
groom as Guilaume."
- So should l." she says, with a hard
little laugh, and she steps on the block.
"Jeanne ~ cries Lucille.
81 cntrcat you for your sisters sake.
She will be terribly alarmed" De Pa
lissier says, hurriedly.
"Then you must console her. The
greater her alarm the greater your de
lightful task, monsieur" and she looks
at him with defiant pain in her eyes,
like Il stays at bay. 81 shall ride
Etoile.n
Then l say that you shall not" he
answers, putting his arm across the sad
die and meeting her eyes with sudden
blaze in his
For an instant they gaze at each
other in utter forgetfulness of any other
presence than their own. Then she
springs from the block and comes close
to him
81 hate you'll" she gasps, and turning
gathers up her habit in one hand and runs
into the house, swiftly followed by De
Palissier In the salon she faces him
with Il gesture of passionate pride.
"Leave me-" she says. Il forbid You
to speak to me-"
He is very pale, but the light of
triumph is in his eyes, and, like most of
men, being triumphant, he is cruel.
"Why do you hate mcl" he asked, i'm
periously.
Il beg your pardon" she stammers,
dropping the eyes which she knows are
betraying her, 81 should have said"
"You should have said, Il love you, '"
he murmurs, coming close to her and
holding out his arms. "Does it hurt
YOU that should know it at last who
have loved you for all these years 2"
"But Lucille" she falters, moving
away from him, but with eyes that shine
and lips that culver with bewildered
joy.
"Never mind Lucille" cries that young
lady very cheerfully from the doorway.
IL - r. 1.