Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-03-26

thank Heaven LOT beauty rs lOt Il ulllner-
but there is Il sort of pretty girl which is
only grown in our happy island, and Olivo
was unmiStakable though she was un-En-
glish on the mothers SIDE.
The vieillard capped her with atremulous
hand, and his walk was janntJ for pace or
two The dapper young draper bowed in a
hutter, broom in hand. Everybody astir in
the village street did willing homage to
youth and beauty. ....
"Ah, mad moisellc,' cried Fiiinc at the
doorway, "Uut how you are beautiful this
morning..
Olivia laughed.
"rhe English gentleman has gone to the
chase?' She asked.
Yes" said Fifinc. ut is brave young
man, mademoiselIe, that SO generous! SO
handsome!
And the poor Chinaman? Where is he?"
Fidne related that II nsieur Potvn, on
entering the salon, observed Chi Lung stow
ing away, under his linen jacket, u great
hunch of bread and a cold outlet. When
Monsieur Povin saw This hn made an indiq-
nant movement toward him but Chi Lung
snatched up his concertina and clattered
out into the pitch black morning, in his
wooden shoes. Poor thing" said Olivia.
'he was hungry, no doubt"
The Baron came downstairs at this mo-
ment with the immense meerschaum al
ready in full play.
"Aha" cried the fat old gentleman, beam.
ing, and pinching his niece's cheek. "The
English roses"
rs it not so, Monsieur lie Baron?" cried
Fifne.
Olivia and the Baron breakfasted togeth.
er, and then the old gentleman resolved
that being where he was he would take adj
vantage of the time for an interview with a
certain notary of NIontcourtois who had
business in hand for him, and it was thus
near noon before they could start upon their
journey, leaving the broken carriage behind
them for repairs. They followed the track
which Lawrence had taken for mile or
two, and at the corner at which the young
Englishmans carriage had turned aside
Olivia looked, and saw the print of the
horses feet and the track of the carriage
wheels, as yet unobscured by further traffic.
They passed two villages which they had
traversed before, and being thoroughly ac-
customed to each other, and having no i'm.
mediate topic of interest, they rode in si-
lence for the most part.
They were near home, and the spire of
the chateau was only hidden by high belt
of intervening trees, when Olivia laid one
hand upon her uncle's arm, and with the
other indicated an object in the road. The
Baron adjusted his spectacles, and looked.
ut is the Chinaman," he said, "who was
last night at Montcourtois. JEAN" address.
ing the coachman from the hotel, awake that
galllard. He will die if he sleeps there"
Jean arrested the carriage and alighted.
He is not asleep, Monsieur lie Baron" he
said, taking Chi Lung by the arm. HE, la,
marchonsr
HE is intoxicated" said the Baron.
No" said Olivia, she is ill.'
Chi Lung sat as one who neither saw nor
heard, and whilst the three newcomers
looked at him and each other in perplexity,
he began to talk rapidly in his own tongue
in thin, high-pitched voice.
HE is crazy" said the Baron, hazardirg
another guess.
NO." Olivia insisted, ''he is ILL.," Jean
shook him by the arm again, but Chi Lung
looked as if he saw clear through the coach
man, and still addressed himself to his
friends from China. What can we do?'
the girl demanded piteously. 1T is impossi-
Bile to leave him here"
The elder Baron de Roze was not a brute.
but he did not recognize with the same force
as Olivia the impossiblity of leaving Chi
Lung to the conduct of his own affairs.
MY dear child" said the Baron, "what
am to do? am not the natural protector
of stray Cinnamon in Belgiumv'
"If you were," returned Olivia, ''the Office
would not be heavy one. l will tell YOU
what you should do, my uncle. The coach.
man shall stay here with this poor fellow.
and we will go to the chateau, and send one
of the servants for the doctor. Then if the
poor Chnaman is really i'll, you can give
him mattress and a blanket in the gran
ary.'
The Baron was not at all we'll disposed to-
ward this programme.
"If he is ill, as you fancy, he may have
something infectious. I will not take any
thing infectious into my house."
Let us see what the doctor says" urged
Olivia. "Oh, uncle, why do you pretend to
be so hard-hearted? Let us drive off at once.
The poor man may die"
The Baron still grumbled, but he obeyed.
He generally grumbled, but he always obev-
ed Olivia.
In half an hours time the doctor had seen
Chi Lung, and the servants under Olivia's
superintendence had prepared resting
place for the wanderer.
Ihe room has three advantages" said
Olivia to herself, surveying the result of her
instructions. ''lt is dry, and airy, and free
from draughts." Not unnaturally Chi Lung
brought the young Englishnan to her mind.
IF he calls upon my uncle" she thought.
"he will be glad thatwe have taken his poor
protege in hand. 1t was kind to take him
in and give him meal and shelter. He
looks kind"
The Baron was an old bachelor, and his
maiden sister kept house for him, delight
full old lady with snow-white hair, set in
rolled curs on either side of her forehead,
and face like an elderly saints, so mild
and gentle.
"Olivia," said this charming old lady, 81
have news that will please you. Your uncle
Raoul is coming this evening. He is shoot
ing to-day with Monsieur de Bruycker, but
he will be here in time for supper"
"Delightfulp' cried Olivia. 'Is he mar
ried yet?"
We should have heard of that, should we
not?' asked the old lady in her own mild
way.
Perhaps heis engaged. said Olivia. 'NVhy
did he never marry? Dear susceptible old
gentlemanl He is always in love-"