The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1888-02-16
PARALLEL LINES.

The bright morning sun shone an tie
taxus bushes, and sparkled like jewels IN
the fresh dew on the grass and fowers
The birds chirped merrily, fitting among
the green branches, and through the
silvery spray Of the cascade the light
broke in kaleidoscope rays.
Herr Reinhard Won Montgre, the young
tutor Of the house, sat upon the rustic
seat with the little graf, Alphonse, in
structing him in the first principles Of 60
ometry. Alphonse was bright, intel
lectual little fellow, and an attentive
pupil; but that day he was so absent
minded that the young tutor almost
despaired of making the exercise plain t.
him.
"Alphonse, I will be obliged to punish
you if you do not put your mind on this
lesson. l have told you already three
times the definition of paraAel lines, and
you don't comprehend it yet. Parallel
lines are lines which extend indefinitely,
always the same distance apart, which,
in other words-never touch one another
Look!' said he, taking his cane and maxi
ing two marks in the yellow sand at his
feet, ''these are parallel lines; do you
understand? Now repeat it,
s'Parallcl lines, - began the little graf,
''are lines which-which extend indefi-
nitely, always - always - always that
stork legged Excellenz is coming across
the grass; look what a figure he cuts
ha! ha! hal"
A severe look of reproval from tho pre-
ceptor calmed the unruly little fellow
somewhat.
Excuse me, Herr Won Montgre; de-
clare l could not help it, because" 49,
"Well, because
"Because can't bear this strange
graf" was the positive answer.
"And why don't you like him, A.
phonse?'
Because he has come to marry Sister
Edith, and will take her back to the
capital with him."
"How do you know that?" asked tho
tutor, so suddenly and SO anxiously that
Alphonse dropped his book in alright.
1.-The gardener told me, Herr von
Montgre, he answered.
go to your room now, Alphonse, and
resume your studies; I will come to you
later.''
care you angry with me, Herr Won
Montgro:'' asked Alphonse in deep con-
Germ.
''No, although you deserve it; you
were inattentive and ilnpertinent," said
the tutor as Alphonse turned away.
By this time the "stork legged Excel
lcnz" had approached, and the gentle
men greeted one another.
Excellenz Graf Poggendorf, chamber
lain to her majesty, the queen. had for
several days been the honored guest Of
the inmates of the castle. He appeared
to be over 40 years of age, not at all pre-
possessing in his manner, having that air
Of arrogant loftiness often met with
among the members OF the queens
household.
by the way, Herr Won Montgre.'
said the graf, in nasal, condescendins
tones, II remember meeting once, in
Paris, a Marquis Montgre de Cheval-
range, very wealthy ancient family Of
rank-not related to you, believer
"Certainly, Excellenz; he sprang from
that branch of the Montgres who after
the raising of the Edict of Nantes went
back to the old faith, while my ances-
tors firm in their convictions and true to
their religion, sacrificed their homes and
possessions and emigrated to Germany"
Peculiar people, these fanatical refu-
gees said the graf; ''ruined themselves
and their descendants to crafty .
The Chevalranges were the
wiser; they took advantage Of the circum-
stances, and today are a most highly
honored and powerful family, while" 49,
The descendant of the emigrant is .
poor, dependent private tutor, obliged to
earn his daily bread among strangers.
Speak it out, Excellenz; I am not
of these facts, rest assured"
aid the tutor.
Tut, tut, young man, as if you ought
@ be, in these days when the principles
which were once the creed of the aris-
ocracy are ridiculed as prejudices; l
,nly mean that it is inexplicable how
;ome people will detonize their whole
ives under such circumstances.
Il agree with you perfectly, Excel
enz." said Montgre, sardonically.
The chamberlain rewarded him with
glance, and said:
1.-The ladies have not yet arisen, Herr
ron Montgre.'
s'On the contrary, Excellenz, they are
aking a walk to the village. and will
Don return =:
':Ah, of course, you are all early risers
n the country; Montgre, this little CON-
esse is a charming creature-one of
hose peculiar beauties which grows con-
inually more bewitching; she will czr-
Ite a fwoze at the capital without
|oubt."
Continued on Sd page.