The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-12-14

floating over her imperious little head.
The first day she was quite silent in re-
gard TO Raoul, but on the alert when Wis
itors were seen approaching. The duchess
also noticed that Adrienne wore pink
rosebuds in her powdered tresses, and
had "A little knot Of them in the lace ON
her breast. But no Raoul. O'Rourke al
SO was fully aware that his young mistress
was hard to please, and disposed to find
fault even with him; something so unus-
ual as to cause general remark among the
servants.
Another day, and no Raoul, with his
gay smiles, smart dress and faultless man
ners, his sweet voice uttering fond
speeches, his loving eyes following her
every movement with proud admiration.
Adrienne threw aside her book. and
took up her embroidery, put that away
after few hasty stitches, and left the
terrace where the duchess was helping
the duke with some of his voluminous
correspondence. They looked after the
little figure going quickly along one ofthe
garden paths, and then their eyes meet
ing, both smiled meaningly.
"Adiienne evidently misses her slave.
No one pets her as Raoul did. and there
is no doubt that the child really loves
him." said the duchess.
IF she does, why not let them he hap.
pyi !, for my part, can see no reason
why Adrienne should meet number of
new faces, and he thrown in contact with
strange characters whom she could not
possibly understand as well as Raours,
simply TO test her love for him. l think
our daughter would he all the happier if
she never again saw Paris, but just set
tied down to q peaceful, domestic life here
in Provence, away from the excitement
and scandals that disgrace our capital"
III agree with you, Armaud, the life that
we once pictured for ourselves is possible
for Raoul and Adrienne; but they shonld
find out how much they love each other
for themselves. think the discovery
will be all the more delightful if no one
assists them in making it,"
You are right; it would not lie kind to
deprive them of the privilege which the
poorest peasants may enjoy. But what
has become of the lover3 Raoul has not
been here for two days"
mo; little quarrel, presume. which
may lead to u thorough understanding"
Meanwhile. Adrienne having taken ref
uge in her favorite summer house, pref
ty retreat overlooking the road. WAS Civ
ing her whole mind to one subject
Raoul.
Surely, if he loved her he would come
and make up their little quarrel. Never
had he remained angry with her mo-
ment longer than it took to explain his
meaning and beg for pardon if he had Of
Tended her which be never did with pre-
meditation. Adrienne found herself re-
calling the old days in Paris, their merry
pranks together. their frequent misun-
derstardings, their very rapid and very
tender reconciliations. He was twenty
and she thirteen when they had parted,
and now she remembered how the merry
boy had changed into the courteous, man.
ly youth, her devoted knight and staunch
defender, who had made her, just enter
ing her teens. his ideal of what was
lovely and charming in woman. She
thought of his kindness only within few
days, his agitation at her distress, his
sympathy with the emotions which others
would pronounce silly in the extreme. He
had neither iidiculed her fears nor at
tempted any absurd explanation OF them.
He had, as formerly. been interested and
tender with her. There was no one in the
world like RaouI, and Adrienne longed for
an opportunity TO make up for her dis
dainful Indifference after his manly affec-
ton. She was indulging in a few tears Of
contrition and humiliation. when the
sound Of carriage wheels attracted her at
tention. Looking down over the roadside
felt her heart throb with delight. There
was the we'll known carriage and sleek.
black horses that the chanoincsse always
used when she made her visits to her pu-
pills, and Adrienne forgot all her woes,and
hurried toward the large entrance. gate of
the park.
In few minutes she had embraced the
chanoinesse, and was kissing girl Of her
own height, with all the warmth OF her
impetuous nature.
Meanwhile the duke and duchess were
exchanging salutations with the chanoin-
esse, and then the three turned to observe
the two girls.
"when you have finished embracing
each other should like to present Valen-
tine to the duchess and the duke" said
the chanoinesse. affecting irony.
At this the girls came forward, valen.
tine going through the ceremony very
gracefully, although introduced only as
valentine, one of my pupils"
When seated on the terrace, the 1uch.
ess could not help gazing at Adsfenne's
friend. The girls were walking up and
down, arm in arm, interchauging conf.
dences in low tones, their ripping laugh
ter breaking pleasantly upon the graver
conversation, Of their elders.
you call her simply Valentine" said
the duchess, dropping her voice, her eyes
fixed on the girls slight figure.
"Yes for the present. She is the daugh.
ter Of noble but prescribed family. She
WAS committed to my care when but five
years old, and now she is more like child