The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-01
cushion. formed ano,hsr ssst. WIth .l.borats

cushions formed another scat With elaborate
courtesy he handed Miss Rosey 10 tho chair.
He looked pale and weak. though tho gravity
OF tho attack had evidently passed. Yet he
persisted In remaining standing. III SIT" he
explained with 4 gesture. Il shall agnin dis
grace myself BY sleeping In mademolselles
presence. Yesl Ishal slecp-I shall dream
and wake 10 md her gone!'
More embarrassed BY his recovery than when
he was lying helplessly before her she said
hesitatingly that she was glad he was better.
and that she hoped he liked the broth.
1t was mama from heaven. mademoisslo.
See. have taken II all-every precious drop.
What slss could have done for MAIDEN oiselle's
kindnsss2"
lie showed her the empty bowl. A swift con-
viction came upon her that the man had been
suffering from want Of food. The thought re-
stored her self possession even while 1t brought
tho tears to her eyes. Il Wish you would lot
me speak TO iather-or some one" she said im-
pulsively. and stopped.
A quick and half insane CLEAN OF terror and
suspicion lit up his deep eyes. For what.
tnadomoisele! For an accIdsnt-thnt 10 moth
ipg-absolutoly nothing, for I am strong and
we'll now-seel' ho said. trcmblingly. "Or for
whim-for folly you may say, that th"y will
misunderstood. No. MAIDEN oselie Is good. Ia
wise. She will say to herself. :" l understand.
my friend Monsieur do Ferrieres for the mo-
ment has Q secret lie would seem poor. he
would take the role Of artisan. he would shut
himself UP In these walls-perhaps / may guess
why but II Ia his secret. think Of IL no more"
He caught her hand In his with gesture that
no would have made one OF gallartry. but that
In its tremulous Intensity became q piteous
duplication.
hnva aid ppthtpu Iuyill al
you wish It," said Rossy. hastily; but others
may fiud out how YOU live here. This Ia not 1T
work for you. You seem to be- "a gentleman.
You ought to be lawyer. or doctor. or in
bank" she continued. tlmidly. vaguely enumer-
atinG tho prevailing degrees OF local genti.ity.
He dropped her hand. All ! does not mad
emoisele com preh e nd that II Is because am .
gentleman that there 10 nothing between It and
this? Look |" he continued. almost fercely.
What II I told you II is the lawyer. 1t Is the
doctor. IL is the banker. that brings me. gen
tleman. TO this. eh ? All. bah What do say ?
This is honcst. what do But the lawyer. tho
banker. the doctor. what are they7" He
shrugged his shoulders and pacing the apart
ment with furtive glance nt the half anxious.
half frightened girl suddenly &. topped. dragged
small portmanteau from behind the heap OF
bales and opened It, Look. madsmoisslle. :"
he said. tremulously lifting handful OF worn
and soiled letters and Papers. "Look-these
are tho tools OF your banker. your lawyer. your
doctor. With tnia the banker will make you
poor. the lawyer will prove you q thief the doc
tor will swear you are crazy. eh2 What shall
you call the work OF a gentleman-this-" he
dragged the pile OF cushions forward-'or this?"
To the young girls obscrvant eyes some OF
the papers appeared 10 be OF a legal or official
character and others like bills OF lading. with
vvi, ,.h aha fu Tbair han fric nj
exhibition reminded her Of some play she had
seen: they might be the clue to some story. or
the mere worthless hoardiGRs of a diseased
fancy. Whatever they we're. De Ferrieres did
not apparently care 20 explain further; indeed
the next moment his manner changed to his
old absurd extravaganza. But this is stupid
for mademoiselle to hear. What shall we speak
of? Ali what should We speak OF in made
moiselle's presence!"
But are not these papers valuable 2" asked
Rosey. partly to draw her hosts thoughts back
to their former channel
Perhaps" He paused and regarded her
1xedly. Does mademoiselle think so?"
"Idon't know" said Rosey. How should I 2"
"Ahl II mademoiselle thought soft made
moselle would deign--" He stopped again
and placed his hand upon his forehead. 1t
might DO so." he muttercd.
Il must 60 now" said Rosey hurrtedly risinY
with an awkward sense Of constraint Father
will wonder where am"
Il shall explain. l will accompany you,
mademoselle."
No. no" said Rosey. quickly: he must not
know have been here!" She stopped. The
honest blush few to her cheek. and then re-
turned again. because she had bushed.
Do ForriGres 9nzsd at her with an exalted
look Then drawing himself to his full height.
he said. with an exaggerated and in,!escriba-
bic gesture. Go. my child. 90. Tell your
father that you have been alone and unpro-
tec,ed In the abode OF poverty and suffering.
but-that 1t was In the presence OF Armand do
Farrieres."
He threw open tho door with a bow that
nearly swept the ground. but did not again
offer to take her hand. Al once impressed and
embarrassed at this browning ncongruty, her
pretty lip trembAed between a smile and a cry
as she said. Good night" and slipped away
into tho darkness.
Erect and gro,esaue De Ferrieres retained
tho same attitude until the sound OF her foot
steps was lost. when he slowly began to close
the door. But q strong arm arrested 1t from
| without. and a large carpeted foot appeared at
tho bottom Of the narrowing opening. The
| door yielded. and Mr.. Mott entered the room.