The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-02-22
THE FRIENDSHIP OF WOMEN.
A Moral Adaptation Of one Of ''The Paris.
lang Translations.

Why did / not marry Madame dAlerions?
Well. / shall tell YOU why.
+ had danced with her all the winter.
That dreamy creature adores waltzing. Her
PRIDE melts in the languol OF the dance,
and her fine eyes assume a vague, liquid
expression that makes them resemble two
half submerged stars.
| felt very much in love with the charm !
ing widow. / found myself more timid in
presence of her melancholy than before the
smiles of other women. She was a woman
to love. Ten years earlier, in the heydayof
my illusions, l should have called her an
angel,
1t was with q beating heart that / opened,
one morning, a letter on which Recognized
the monogram of ~Jacqueline, and her bold,
English handwriting. Madame d'Alerions
invited me to spend a few days at ser
country-s seat, Les Bergeries, in the valley
Of Chevreuse. | sent a telegram OF thanks,
When / arrived at the chateau, the sounds
of music reached nay ears. Some one was
playing the March of Rakozcky" with sim
gular energy. 1t was not the suave and
sweet execution of the countess, who seems
to touch the notes as it were with the tips
of a doves wings, / entered the salon.
The lovely Jacqueline held out her hand
to me and placed her finger on her lips.
A woman was seated at the piano. She
did not stop playing. | could hardly see
anything but her admirable form, her snow
white neck on which were dancing little
bright Golden ringlets, and her small,
dimpled hands brilliant with precious
stones, flying overthe keys with the rapidity
of lightning. Madame d'Alerions, too, was
adorable in a pale blue dress very simple, a
flower in her corsage, her hair smoothed
o w over her forehead and falling in a
heavy roll on her neck. The ruche Of her
dress barely revealed the Wilderness of her
neck.
The musician consented to close her pi-
ano whln dinner was announced.
She turned round. Madame d'Alerions
introduced me: "The Princess Vaninka de
Gent"
The princess took my hand. Il am very
glad to see you, she said; II have often
heard about you"
ave are alone" resumed Nadine dale
ron; my other guests have not yet come. "
| excused them with al my heart. This
dinner Of three was fatally ~ mute duet and
d brilliant monologue.
While my lovely friend was bewitching
me with her eyes, the Princess Vaniuka
continued talking necessarily.
l listened to her in spite Of myself, and I
looked at Ter ~involuntarily. Her CONVEX
sation was like her face. 1t was strange,
disaGreeable, End delicious small face
absolutely foreign; the nose too large; brown
eyes with gold reflections; an Austrian
mouth, with purple lips and little teeth Of
a mouse; an audacious gTacefuiness; a mo-
bile ~physiognomy in which the charm
sprang from contrasts: righteousness in
her glare and sarcasm in her smile: a mix
4N9a.AL 80 - EAau.yn .1 49,
strange little womenl
] do not know if she had wit, but she
started off at a headlong pace. Her CONVEX
sation was %piquant, sparkling, and enyel-
oped in foreign accent like Jewels in lace.
Often the COUNTIES smiled, and several
times she blushed. The little princess did
not mince matters ia her stories Of scandal
a Ia mode.
When the time for separation had come,
the princess said to nae:
lyon ride, do You not?"
Certainly, madame.
Then we will ride together in the morn
ing; but, / warn you, | get mp early; at
eight O'Clock, en- route! Goodnight, Jac-
q%uelinel Sleep well, ma belle cherfe."
She disappeared. / remained alone with
Madame d'Alerions.
1t was late. We had a long chat. a good
deal of music, and exchanged a few furtiye
presses of hands. Through the open door
of the grand salon the light of the stars en-
tered with the perfume Of the park, and
mingled with the dying lights. / Imprint
ed burning kisses upon her hands.
y love you, Jacqueline, / whispered in
her ear.
NAY" she answered, II fear that you
lfe tickle" And she rose.
@Not so,' / replied, en6eayoring to de-
tain her; give me some token, that ] may
preserve it foreyer-some souvenir ofs!his,
my ayowal.p
corsage, anda as i pressed it to my lips, she
fled from the room.
/ passed a greater part bf the night at gsy
window kissing that precious flower, which
contained a little of the heart of Jacque-
line. 1t was hardly eight o'clock When
saw in the courtyard o horse already sad
died and held by q groom. il was the
Princess Vaninka's horse. / had complete
" forgotten the princess.
7 hurried down. The princess did not
seem to see me. She placed her little foot
on the grooms large hand, and sprang into
The saddle. She wore q bandits felt hat
with long green feathers, that produced the
strongest effect on her blonde head.
@Ahl there you arel" she said to me. Il
I'm going to start without you"
Madame, that would be too cruel"
.Bahl you will catch me!y
In the twinkling Of an eye she was out Of
sight, followed by her little groom.
jumped on the back Of my mare, and five
minutes later / caught up with the green
cockade In an oyerarched avenue. 1.-The
woods around Chevreuse are delicious. You
might believe yourselves hundreds Of miles
away from Paris. Under the thick foliage
Of the trees babble brooks that spring from
moss covered rocks, and fiow singing be- !
tween dowery banks.
ZN Nix rran nsIfnan MnInrn Ahn r4lx,nnna i