Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-03-19
Joseph and Jean had set their lanterns by

instant.
rs the carriage injured?" its owner de-
manded.
1t turned out that the pole was broken,
and that two or three spokes had started in
the front wheel on the near side.
''Unfasten the horses" said the old gem
teman testify, land leave the carriage there
The horses are quite fresh, and you must
give me couture at the hotel.'
1t would be impossible to leave the car
riage there, said one of the hotel servants.
The diligence took that route, and would be
unable to pass.
"Then follow as quickly as you can," he
said, angriy, and turning with a sudden
change of manner to the traveller, raised his
hat Il am infinitely obliged to you, sir"
he said, in his formal English. 'Shall we
60 to the hotel together? l presume you
stay there?'
"Yes," said the traveller, 81 am staying
there"
The old gentleman grumbled at the roads,
the weather, and the accident, until he and
his companion reached the hotel. and there
in the vestibule he ran into the impassive
Chi Lung, who still stood in the place where
the traveller had planted him.
Mon Dieuv' he said, recoiling. "Ru'est-
ce que c'est?"
"Ahr said the traveller, with laugh.
THAT is friend of mine" "Fifne," cried
the Englishman, and the woman appearing
saluted Monsieur lie Baron with a friendly
smile.
"And monsieur is sound and safe also.
What good fortune! Mademoiselle is with
in," and she threw open the door of the lit
tie salon.
"Fifine," said the traveller, ''yoa can find
some sort of place for this poor fellow to
sleep in. Put him in the granary, and give
him plenty of rugs"
Hal" said the old gentleman. 'He is a
protege of yours sir?''
Il found him singing in the road outside"
the traveller answered, with a blush, which
passed unnoticed. ut seemed odd to find
Chinaman in this part of the world, and he
doesn't seem to speak any language but his
own
"Tiens!" said the old gentleman, and with
that expression of interest and sympathy he
entered the salon, closing the door behind
him.
Fifine beckoned Chi Lung, and the En-
gishman signed to him to accompany her.
Then, having watched them away, he turn
Gu W Tic uUOl, dlltt lOOhcu ul Guc SIOW ullu
the bleak night.
'Beastly awkward thing it was to be
sure" he said to himself ''that that delight
fully pretty girl should turn up just when
Nebuchadnezzar and were making that
awful row. If she had been middle-aged
and plain suppose l shouldn't have cared
so much" He laughed little uncomfort-
ably. II am always conscious of the best
t,,fn 1,tT ,cfo
ass of myself.
1.-THE little figure stood at the door, with
gloved hand on the handle, and the powdery
flakes of snow still resting on her rebellious
curls. Lovely eyes she had, to be sure, and
how delicate bloomV
"OddP' thought the traveller, suddenly
catching himself at this appreciative criti-
cism. II only saw her for a second, and 1
can see her face quite clearly. What
shindy we were making, that wretched Neb-
uchadnezzar and 1! What an unlucky dog
am! / suppose she took me for mad
man. No great wonder if she did. Who
could expect to enter little place like this,
in the heart of the Ardennes, and to find an
Englishman and a Chinaman bowling and
caterwauling in that amazing manner? l
am an ass" murmured the young man soft
L L
always shall be.'
Sir" said voice behind him, and he
turned with a start to see the old Belgian
gentleman standing in the doorway of the
salon. I'VE cannot permit that you should
submit yourself to this discomfort. Pray
enter"
"Oh, thank you," said the traveller with
no great presence Of mind. Don't think of
me, beg"
Positively" returned the old gentleman,
''if monsieur will not join US in the salon,
we will join monsieur in the corridor"
There was nothing for it but to yield in
such a case, and the young traveller entered
with blush which became him better than
he fancied. The young lady, who was seated
at a little distance from the stove, half rose
in answer to his salute, and Monsieur lie
Baron laid hand upon the rail of chair
and motioned him toward it.
you are here for the chase, sir, pre-
sume?" said he, regarding the cartridge
pouches which ran across the breast of the
young mans coat.
"Yes," said the traveller, 81 am over here
for the shooting. l was shooting to-day
with Monsieur Van Meenen and tomorrow
Monsieur de Bruycken has battue."
"Those gentlemen are very good friends
of mine," said the old gentleman blandly.
Permit me-" and, unbuttoning his great
fur-lined overcoat, he produced card-case,
and with wave of the hand tendereda a card
to the young traveller. The young traveller
glanced at the name, and then, with a GER
tain pleased alacrity, drew forth his own
case and handed card to the old gentle
man.
THE Baron de Roze," he said, with a
blush and smile together, vas a great
friend OF my grandfather's, many years
ago."
Mr.. Arthur Lawrence" read the Baron.
Your grandfather was large RENTER
what do YOU call it?-landowner, here? Y esq
And my very good friend. 1t was your
father who sold the land?''
NO" said the young Englishman; ''my
uncle. My father never owned any property
here; or anywhere" he added, with new
blush and new smile. 1T was by very
fortunate accident" he went on. turning to
the young lady, that mademoiselle escaped
without damage"
1T was fortunate" said the old gentle
man. OLIVIA, you are unhurt?''
Quite unhurt," returned the youLg lady
n q c Wi L