The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-06-25

llon-like head with its crown of thick,
silky hair; bis black eyes, the fire Of
which no age would ever dim; his ma
jestic. erect figure: his air noble. at
once imperial and winningP
What pleasant dinner it was. The
great engineer thought it was the pleas
ATTEST hour he had ever spent, and
said SO afterward. The scent Of Or
anges was in the air, and in the cool
shade of tho colonnades Narcissa's ia
vorite flowers spread their silken leaves
and shed odors of jasmine and roses.
Then in tho latter evening, when the
stars were out and the
Crescent moon, silver boat, -
Il Hung dim behind the trees"
the music from the military band on the
plaza coming, to them mellowed by
the distance, they sat and spoke of
France.
II have longed to 60 to France"
said Narcissa to Saint-Cyr. "But papa
says he will never return to his coun-
try; and no wonder, since Lorraine is no
longer a French province; butt" drop
ping her voice for his ear alone, IAN
old Mexican woman, a fortune teller,
says I shall live in France some day."
'.She is wise woman" said Saint
Cyr, smiling. II can tell fortunes,
too"
Papa. do you hear what the Count
says? He can tell fortunes
"He has certainly spent them. and
made them. SO I've no doubt he can'tell
them. too. Does he foretell the fu-
ture of the canal?"
''Ccla va sans dira," retorted Mar
cissa; ''besides, monsieur is not ex-
pending his millions upon our canal.
America is able to provide for her
own"
"She does not provide in this case,
mademoiselle; but if l were obliged
to expend my money upon my ven
lures. I would do it without hesita-
tion."
Even upon the great canalp''
''Most certainly. hope you do not
doubt my successp''
Monsieur" she returned, reproach-
fully. lit is the grandest undertaking
since the building of the pyramids. +"
They laughed at her enthusiasm.
"But tell mo of France" she con.
tinued.
my child" said De Chalausse.
things are sadly changed since '72.
Look at Lorraine"
Papa" she said gravely. "you
should not complain. Before ~ you
had lost the battle of Waterloo; now,
you have won it."
THAT is consolation that never &C.
CURED to me-" said her father, amused;
''but just at present happen to be an
American"
shall be tho happiest woman in the
world" said Narcissa, "when can 20
to France. look about me and say, so
this is my country; here my fathers
family for centuries past have lived and
died. loyal subjects of the soil"
Subjects of the SOIL" repeated
Saint-Cyr. cater all, Elmonde, the
feelings of the highest class and of the
lowest, even the adscripti glebe. find
the same expression. 1t is the love of
country that is the great want of the
middlc-classes"
The conversation drifted to the dis
cussion of the great social problem.
The engineer had his own views of the
subject, and gave them eloquent ex-
preston. Narcissa sat beside her
father and listened, as Desdemona sat
beside Brabantio and listened to the
Moor.
Saint-Cyr thought of the fair vene-
tian, and wondered if she were fairer
than his country-woman.
The next morning he rose before the
sun and stepped upon the stone bal
cony adjoining his room. A figure in
white moving among flowers in the
courtyard caught his eye. 1t was
Narcissa with o watering pot IN her
hand. She looked very lovely in her
cool garments of some thin white
stuff, her favorite fiower-poor Jo-
sephipe's "Souyenir do Malmasion"-
in the loops of her heavy, dark hair:
She looked up presently and caught
sight of him. smiled. and with 'bon-
jour, monsieur" invited him to de-
scend. She showed him her collection
of rare plants and flowers. and when
he paused before the gem of all, she
offered him the single bloom it bore,
and bent to cut it off.
"Many thanks, mademoiselle, but
I believe would rather not have that
Qne."
She paused and turned her splendid
eyes upon him, disappointed.
"Why. monsieur. it is the rarest
flower have"
Pardon. mademoiselle, the choic-
est one you have you have not offered
me-"
She looked seriously ct him.
"Is it possible? Where is itP Show
it to me. monsieur"
''And if do-''
ut is yours if you want it."
He put out his hand and touched the
rose in her hair. She smiled brightly.
'Is the souvenir your fayorite rose
also. monsieur It is mine. as you see,
but you arc no botanist. It is by no
means the choicest flower have. Will
you have this?-or thisp" indicating
the buds on the bush.
sit is the rose in your hair. mada-
mo;selle, that I ask for"
She unpinned it and loosened her hair
at the same time; 1t fell upon her shout
ders in thick curls.
:"Oh, how awkward I amr' she ex-
claimed. laughing; ''see what you have
made me do. monsieur. You don't de-
serve the rose"
':But You promised it to me-"
"And q Chalusse should keep her
word"