Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-15

11Ncs IN pursuing lhShh NalNg h"Ns
misunderstood. But with a gay laugh,
Then my sympathy has been all with
out 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
parti in Paris. and tres bel homme for ms
age.
ton to the wealthy and distinguished
Marquis de Palissier if 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 hasty
glance at her reflection in the mirror.
" His old friendn she murmms, scorn-
fully. Il dare say look an old woman
beside Lucille.
Then she turns with look of graceful
welcome, for the door Is thrown open and
a servant announces:
NJ. lie Marquise de Palissier."
" Nothing could give me greater pleas
ure than to receive as my sisters sutton
the old friend of whom the world tells
me such noble things" She utters her
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. "
am afraid you had much to forgive IN
those days so long ago, but time, | trust,
has changed me- y
i" It would be sad, indeed, if time did
not give us wisdom and GOODNESS in eX-
change for all it takes from as, she says,
with a quick thrill of pain that he
should speak of ten years as if it We're
an eternity.
/" Not GOODNESS, he exclaims, coming
nearer, and looking at her with eyes that
make her feel girl again. " If youcould
see my heart, YOU
May | enter, my sister," asks the
gay voice of Lucille, as she appears from
behind the portiere at SO fortunate 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 Il
am at your feet.
Then begin a charming little comedy
of love-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 chances 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 promptness that would have done
credit to a Richelieu or Talleyrand, or
any other prince of schemers.
Courage, monsieur - she murmurs.
9 She has been cold to me ever since
your note came You would make
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 laugh so utterly amused that ne
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 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
sier to his role, if he did not believe
that in surrendering it he must give up
the bitter-sweet 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 a week at her villa
near Paris, and De Palissier, who is to
accompany them on a riding party, has
arrived little late, and finds both sisters
already in the courtyard, with some
horses and grooms, when he enters.
Lucille comes TO him at once as he dis
mounts, with look of alarm instead OF
her usual coquetry.
Do not let Jeanne ride Etoile," she
said. anxicusly 81 She has thrown
Guillaune this morning"
Nine. de Miramon is standing beside
ar 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, y De Palissier says,
Il