Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-09-26
FEODOR D'ORSAY.


IL was not picturesque place. but
here was something quietly beautiful
about IL, even seen IN the whiteness of
snow, and under the iTon-gray sky of
February. The low hills, grouped
almost around the village, suggested
the soft greenery of the place In sum-
mer; and the dreamy brook, almost Il
river, that flowed so slowly in its wan
lerings that it was stIflly frozen now,
told OF many delicious hooks when a
July sun glinted down on It's waters.
n man driving INTO the village
through its main street, sitting In a
dainty cutter, and behind a shining,
dery-lookiug horse, thought all this as
he reined in his horse to a walk.
I'D like to try for trout in that
brook - he said to himself, and do be-
lieve III run down here next summer.
IL would lie a thousand times better
than the places / usually visit. Rather
slow here now, fancy. I should die
of inanition in week"
AS he thought thus, from little red
schOOl-house near, the children came
pouring out, some twenty of them, and
IN the next moment, rs If In hurry
the teacher appeared, drawing her
shawl and hood closer, rs she came
down the narrow path in the snow.
The man invOluntarily checked his
horse 10 "A slower walk. He had now
Just reached the fence opposite the
schOol-house.
80 Jupiterp' his full and handsome
lips murmured behind his beard -
must paint her picture-perhaps taste
her msuth-oh. how divine MOUTH"
No woman hearing him would have
thought that tone or those words agree
able, though he who uttered them
owned Taultless face, and was appar-
emily the most tender and chivalrOuS
Of men. Few women had ever OWNED
the character Of Feodor D'Orsay, and
least Of all was it likely that this one
could. In the next instast he had ut
tered the exclamation "AhI'' and had
Jumped from the sleigh and was bend
ing sOlicitOusly over her, for Just as she
left the gate she slipped and fell. He
bent over her, a tender and flattering
respect in his manner, and raised her
upon his arm.
'Are you hurtg'' the girl family
heard "A low melOdiOus voice ask, and
in that one instant, despite all in her
life that should have counteracted any
such influence, IN that moment was
the first slight step made in that path
she was TO walk.
Lucia Earle, struggling against the
deadly faIntness the pain in her ankle
caused her, answered, 81 believe So
and then lost sight and sense OF every
thing.
y smile OF pleasure mingled with q
look of concern upon the mans face as
he put her carefully upon the seat oi
his cutter lie sat beside her, chafed
her hands with snow, and laid hands.
full of It upon her temples. While he
labOred To restore her, he noticed
more closely the beauty and grace oil
feature which had ut first attracted
HIM.
palely olive was her face; the fore
head pure and broad, with eyes beneath
it of soft, pleading brown, lips not
full, but naturally crimson, with the
faintest indescribable curve in then
that suggested lack of strength oi
character.
'sWhat a fortunate fellow 1 am" ht
was SAYING to himself, when she opened
her eyes and met the deep and earnest
gaze Of his own.
You are better?" he said softly
II am afraid you have sprained your
ankle"
lie deftly arranged the furs about
her in a way that left her perfectly al
ease. and she was not little pleased
that she inspired in this stranger suct
respectful admiration.
''Yes, | must have hurt my ankle, -
she said, in very weak voice. for the
pain was intense, though something
had called flush to her cheeks.
He gathered up the lines and said:
You will permit me to drive yoI
hOme?r
Il am sorry to trouble you," sh,
murmured iudistinctly, feeling on TIT
verge Of again fainting.
(which wayI" he inquired, ignoring
her remark.
straight on,'' she replied; the hous
next TO the church, this side"
Then she sank back and clasped he
hands tightly, her eyes closed, he
heart thankful for the speed to whicl
the stranger put his horse.
When the sleigh had almost reaches
the little brown house she had designa
ted they met a young man trudgln
through the snow, his arms swinging
vigorously and his head bent as b
walked. Stepping aside for the sleig
to pass, he raised his eyes, and his fac
grew scarlet with astoniShment,
slight tlIge of anger mlngling with II
D'Orsay saw hun, though he CAV
no sign of il.
As the sleigh drew up before th
farmhouse, the young man stood an
watched It, then suddenly sprang FOL
warI, pushed the stranger almo:
rudely aside, and took the girl In n
arms and carried her to the door
Lucia could not speak, but sh
looked her surprise, rs she had not see
him before. Half ashamed OF ms III
petuusity, the young man ayerted
eyes from her glance, and In snehS
passed by the questions OF Mrs Eari
who hurriedIy pulled the lounge TO u
tire and gently laid Lucia upon 1t.
IL beg your pardon" said Roma
Edyar. looking toward D'Orsay. WI