St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-04
CHAPTER ii.

pensive tone that pleased her.
He had seen the rose fall from her
dress. he said, and had fastened to
snatch it up before any clumsy foot
should destroy the beautiful creation
forever.
Il speak of it as a living, breathing
essence" he added, for am humble
adorer of nature in her finest forms. AT
home | live in an atmosphere or the
sweetest odOrs flowers can breathe over
us. In my mind each distinct perfume
associates itself with some one OF other
of my friends. Perhaps you will con-
slider my theory fancful. butdo you
know ! should never have coupled you
with the rose: it is too pronounce for you.
Something more refined, more subtle
for instance, the wood-violet. But
pardon me! | am running on as lalways
do when | get sympathetic listener,
and OBTAINING you shamefully."
He drew back, and Eta, with bow
and another and more gracious smile,
passed on: but there was gate just be-
You'd, and her new acquaintance Sprang
forward to open it for her: then
breathed an apology for his ofticious-
ness on on learning that she was not
going to cross the fields. ,.., ''t
Yet, promptly though he excused him
! sell, he strolled by the side OF Eta to
the end of the lane; and if she only an
/ swered his remarks Oh the beauty OF
! the spot in monosyllables, still she did
/ answer him against her better judg-
ment.
But then, he was no common man;
the delicately white hand he passed
across his brow, the rings she saw on
his fingers were surely unmistakable
tokens of high birth. Besides, he
/ talked-ah. how he talked! If Dolph
/ were but able to converse with such fer
vid eloquence. He, poor fellow, could
discuss commonplace subjects sensibly
! enough and had read scores of books
| into which Eta had only dipped; but
when he discussed them how sadly he
/ lacked the grace of manner and thrilling
accents of this stranger!
With what a sigh he raised his hat in
respectful farewell when, in great con-
fusion lest her mother should still be in
the garden, Eta hurriedly left him. and
how ashamed she felt of having loitered
so long. What would Mrs. Grayley say
| if she ever learned that the daughter
she had reared so carefully, and on
whose prudence she thought she could
rely. had suffered herself to be drawn
| into conversation by plausible
/ stranger?
ut must never happen again." Eta
| protested to herself. 1T was delight
! fully romantic, and of course there
could be no danger in enjoying the So
ciety of so intelligent man: but then
mammals prejudices must be conSid-
cred"
However, it did happen again. Every
lonely ramble in which Eta in
dulged brought her in contact with the
| interesting stranger. She loved no place
so we'll as the shady, secluded lane be-
yond her mothers cottage, and he said
the same.
His name was Albert. he told her. and
he was a scion of the illustrious French
family of the MOntemOrencieS. His in
tense love of art had brought him to
London; his alteration of nature had
| led him to this charming neighborhOod,
| ing companion-where he had passed
hours of the most unutterable enjoy
ment.
you're an artist?" said Eta
Not professional one. My Sketc hes
are for my friends and myself"
IL beg your PARDON" she murmured,
Il did not mean to imply-tO infer''-
| But here her embarrassment made her
pause.
My dearest Miss Grayley, you could
not offend, however much you might
misunderstood me. But why did you
start when / spoke your name? How
could resist inquiring what the world
calls the nymph who haunts these YER
dant shades! But do not imagine that
! was melted by coarse, vulgar curiosity.
The interest you have inSpired'--
Il must go home!' cried Eta hur-
! "a I,A
if she knew that Up
''If she knew how strangely, yet how
sweetly. you and have dritted into ac-
quaintance? All. take me to her, and
| if she blames me shall smile and say,
BE as angry as you will, you cannot
rob me of the dear delight of knowing
your daughter; of having looked into
her soul and learning that it throbs in
fullest response to mine!"
Mamma would say we were both
mad!" and Eta laughed Historically.
Then she has the cold English nat
ure perhaps. How you must have suf-
fered, with no one near to think and
feel with YOU'D
Il must go home," said she again.
ut is scarcely week since we first
met, and for this imprudence You must
despise met
Say rather adore you!' he interrupt
ed. "But do not be alarmed; approve,
| admire your delicacy and | will emu
late it. will not go with you to Mrs.
Grayley to-day: My aunt, the Com
Jesse de Trouyille, comes to town to-
morrow from her villa at Cannes.
shall meet her at her hotel and lay bare
my heart before her. ! shall beg her to
come here and effect an introduction to
your excellent mother, and, with her
scrupleS satisfied, what an ocean of
bliss expands before our enraptured
eyesw
but if la comtesse should object?''
urged Eta, trembling and confused at
this sudden declaration.
"Why should she? You are yourselves
of la haute noblesseH'
"Oh, no! there is ViscOunt Grayley,
but we are not related to him, and mann
mas income dies with her."
Mr.. Montmorency laughinglydemand
ed why she had added this information:
His aunt was great stickler for eti-
quette and would Scold him for having
| presumed to make young lady'S ac-
!! Quaintance in such an unconventional
fashion, but she was not mercenary and
when she saw the fiower-like face that
must be his excuse, she would cease to
be surprised at what he had done.
anyhow l must not come here
again." said Eta, gravely. Il have
done very wrong in walking this way so
| often"
But she let the gallant Montmorency
kiss her hand ere-having begged her
to make arrangements for Mrs. Grayley
to be at home to receive the comtesse-
he left her; pausing at the top of the
hill to wave his handkerchief and press
10 his vest a sprig of myrtle4he had in
duced her to give him.
Il wish you would not ramble SO far
death!" complained Mrs. Grayley, meet
ing her daughter in the garden.
ut shall not happen again, mamma.
IL have had an adventure! A romance
has stirred-an dissipated the monotony