Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-09

disappeared through the massive sSOUo
gateway. Such grace. such esprit, and
SO well bredl None of the petty bicker-
ing over fair price that people OF other
nations permit themselves.
This eulogy was uttered for Mr.. Nears
benefit, whom the master Of the remlse
regarded with benignant suavity. know
ing that be had egregiously cheated two
of the handsome young strangers coun-
trymen, and seeming further prey ~ this
third representative of the rich republic.
These ladies, Nine. Lee and her
charming niece, are going to drive to
Mentone tomorrow, over the Corniche
road. Hope they viii have a fine day.
Paolo shall take them over by the lower
road and return by the Col du Tgre.
There is still snow up there; but to-mcr-
rows sun will melt 1t, and it viii be safe
enough for the return trip"
You are garrulous, specious old ras-
CAL" Dir. Neal concluded, mentally; but
I'm immensely obliged to you for your-in-
formation" Then, after agreeing to an
eKtortionate price for his horse the follow
ing day, he took his departure in the wake
of the fair bearer of the carnations
The next morning at 10 o'clock sharp q
toned pair Of white horses drew up be-
fore the Hotel des Palmiers- A dignifed
looking old coachman occupied the box,
with a 10-year-oid boy hunbly ensconced
among the horse blankets at bis feet
Mrs. Lee and Miss Moore made them
selves thoroughly comfortable IN this
vehicle. and set off upon their drive over
the magnificent highway. for the building
of which the world owes lasting debt Of
gratitude to the Corsican hero.
Now, you dear, croaking old thing,
confess that you are glad l persuaded you
to come today" said pretty Margery. pat
ting her aunt's plump, white hand coax
inrlY.
''One should not sing before one has
fairly entered the woods" replied the
elder lady, oracularly.
You are really incorrigible, aunt.
What more could you desiref We have
good, gentle looking horses with sound
legs; patriarchal coachman with sobriety
and honesty craven on bis serene brow;
and the weather-could anything be more
perfect? Look at that gentian blue sky,
and the violet and pale green shades IN
the sea; and she grim gray ribs of the
rocks, and the snow on the mountains
beyond, and-oh. everything"
The girls eyes and cheeks glowed with
this purest. most of healthful pleasures
the enjoyment Of an exquisite, varying
landscape seen for the first time The
angry, volcanic crags peering over into
the placid, deep blue sea; the silvery
pallor of the olives contrasting with the
dark, polished green of the fig trees; the
90 ba a1o "
the stony spine Of the mountains Quaint
little villages cli1ging like collection of
wasps' nests to the rocks; vehicles of all
sorts, picturesque and elegant. passing to
and fro. Here, tiny, tinkiing donkey
laden with green and yellow Grockery
Jars; there, the four horse break whisk-
ing its load of curious strangers over to
taste the fascination of Monte Carlo.
At the first descent OF any Importance
Jeannot, the little boy, Jumped down
from the box and applied primitive but
effective drag TO the wheels-a pair of old
shoes tied to stout ropes.
Il believed that young person was
brought along solely for ornament; l see
now that was mistaken" said Margery,
with = gay laugh at the shOckingly bad
old shoes. 1t was SO easy to laugh this
brilliant. invigorating morning.
After luncheon at Mentone, In pretty
garden close to the sea. they began the
homeward journey over the highest part
of the road so appropriately named, cling
ing to the serrated rock as a cornice fol-
lows the Irregularities Of dentated roof.
Always higher, past the village of Rocca
Bruna, said to have slipped down en-
masse from plateau above to it's present
position Past Esa, with its melancholy
cluster of deserted cottages. Here and
there the ruins Of fortress perched
proudly loft as an eagles nest. At La
Turbie, the tower built ages ago for the
worship Of Jupiter, Jeannot clambered
down again, and, pulling of his cap.
loose1ing at the same time crop OF
glossy dark carls, babe the ladies' good
night. Here, a branch road led away
from the sea. over the Col du Nsre, with
view over white world of snowy
mountains. Though carefully nended
and kept. after the manner of all French
roads, this branch WAS rarely Used except
for return carriages to Nice, the slope be-
ing long, steep pull for upward bound
horses
The dusk and quiet Of evening became
heights, and Msrgery drew closer to her
shadows. Pitches Of half melted snow
began TO sppear on each side of the way;
not living creature was In sight, or
sound audible save for the OCCASIONAL
wbir OF birds wings.
Alas, for Mr.. Neai's plan for q canter
-
the object of his silent devotion. Miss
Marge.y Moore. The horse promised
him for the occasion WIS brought homo
lame. ind owing to the press of the car
nival season, another animal such as Nr.
Neal required YVES not forthcoming.
a power o worHt with hosses and
just now" said the English hostler at the
Joliceur stables. in reply to Mr.. Meals
strong language when he found his plan
defeated Il would not be surprised If
the psdrone sent out old Brix with fare,
after al."
WHO the deuce is old Bri17"
The best driver in the whole maritime
Alps region. but he is getting pretty old
now. He has driven over the road be
tween Nice and Mentone for matter Of
forty years or more, and knows every inch
Of the way as well as he knows the in
side OF his suutfbox. BE is still as safe as
q church, but there is kind Of prejudice
against him because since the past Eve
years he has been stoce bind"
Rather q drawback IN e Jehl. particu.
larly if his horses happened to be frisky.-
If was & party OF fdgety cid women.
continued Mr.. Togge-y, with solemn en-
pbasiS, Il would rather trust myself with
old Brix, blind eyes and al, than with the
usual half tipsy rogue who tells pack Of
lies about the locality. and goes to sleep
OF the homestretch-but you cant make
tcose old women think So"