The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-07

brightness nor rlisf to her young sad face.
"Only it is not always easy to remember
| that you are my-father."
II have been neslectful, that is true, but
L will make amends for all now. My only
and unceasing regret is that did not come
in time to prevent your marriage with that
Norman lout. To think that 1 who have
some OF the best blood of France in my veins
| should be allied to nero son OF tho soil.
| Bah it is monstrous."
"I should not advise you to boast OF your
French blood over much, the girl said, with
| bitter scorn. "At least the son Of the soil
| whom you despise so much has not forfeited
honor, estoem, respect, as you have done.
| Not all the gold of tho universe would have
tempted him to betray his country"
"If his country had behaved as badly to
him as it did to me, think he would have
| needed little temptation TO act in the same
MANNER" was the angry retort. And a mere
stroke of diplomacy, Ninette, does not de-
| serve so harsh II title"
"My peasant education is likely to blame
| in that soc only one face to the matter,f
she answered with deep contempt. II cam
| not understand subtertuges. To mo deceit
| is deceit, betrayal is betrayal. II those plans
| OF yours which accidentally discovered"
"Will you be silent, girl2" he thunder ed
| with wrath In his face and voice. She
smiled bitterly.
"You have q weak point too, then. Vel.
be moro sparing in tho future OF mine."
Two hours after very different scene was
being enacted in the same room. A group Of
men OF al ages wero seated round card
table, playing with the zest and eagerness OF
habitual gamblers. Standing behind the
chair of their host, her lovoliness heightened
by the difference of dress. her face flushed
with the excitement OF the scene before her,
was Ninette.
Many OF the group played less skillfully
and cautiously than was their wont, dis.
tracted by the wonderful beauty OF the girl
by her repartees, her cool disdain, her utter
disregard of the admiration she excited.
From time to time she served them with
wines at signal from her father, and the
more they drank tho wilder grew the play,
the greater the vivacity and abandon Of tho
players. A greater license, II steader ten
dencey to equivoquss and jest crept into the
either their host or his daughter; but tho one
played on, smiled serenrly and jcsted gayly.
and the other scarce noticed or understood
the allusions and innuendoes which grew
broader and more plentiful as the night drew
on. Two hours passed rapidly by. leaving
their host winner of heavy sums. He
played very skillfully, with the proficiency
of one accustomed to contrul chance by rules
and trained skill, and yet with the outward
listlessness Of professional gamester. His
stakes were the largest OF any, his luck the
most remarkable, and when at last they rose
from the table q certain colonel Of the Prus-
Guards congratulated him g tribe mali
ciously on tie fact.
He shook his head with a deprecating
smile. Fortune is mine today-sAe will be
yours tomorrow" he said. "Will you take
your revenge then2"
"Assuredly," said the colonel. "Mean-
while, If your Hebe would favor me with
some more of that iced Moselle l will not
decline it. Play is hot work and this room
Is mono Of the coolest"
"Ninette," called her father.
She turned toward him careleasly.
Nay, do not trouble her." pleaded the
colonel 81 will help myself" And ere the
girl could ascertain her fathers wishes, he
was bending to her with the courtesy and
aattery q gentleman, and whispering
words that brought the color 10 her cheeks
In a sudden hot fame of wrath and wonder.
Such language was altogether strange to
her, but she disliked it none tho luss. IIer
eyes glanced restessly from face to flce-in
all she re3d the bold, fierce, lawless admira-
ton that is ut once an insult and terror to
a young and innocent woman. She left them
and crossed rapidly over 20 her fathers side.
"This is no place for NO." she said, IN cold,
steady tones, that Stv> no sign Of tho shame
and anger in her bosom.
"Attcnd to your guests yourself, until they
learn to treat woman with some courtesy
and respect" Aal with no leave-takinS-
without oven SO much us Il bow of farewell
she passed from the room.
Tho men looked at each other in surprise,
then laughed aloud. "Your wild bird needs
tanning. Monsieur Mouprat." said ono.
as she scared in reality, or is it only IL
little piece Of acting, got up for effect, and
certain OF leaving an impression behind-iI
aly for its novelty?" asked another.
"Doubtles sh" is rs sorry to 90 rs we are
TO lose her" chim'd in IL third; "but she
knows the true art Of her sexs success
never to give too much oi their company
To regret is better II thousand times than to
be tored."
my daughter is not cus.omed to society
gentleman," interposed tho voice of Leon
Monprat. "That fact must plead her ex-
cuse."
"No need to tell US that, my good irland,'
was the supercllious rejoinder. "rhe fact
was self-evident. What made you introduce
her here tonight"
ut was her own desire, but she is shy and
unused to compliment and badinage. fear
you alarmed her."
'She looked quite fleres," laughed the Of
fcer. "You must teach her better manners
for the future. beautiful woman is all
very WELL but when sho shows tho lions
claws that is a different matter altogether"
Leon Monprat bit his lip. and an angry
frown shadowed his brow. Greatly rs he
had wronged this girl, he yet pitied and In
his own fashion loved her, and he did not
caro- that her namo should be thus lightly and
coarsely spoken of by men to whom a
woman's reputation was thistle-ball with
which tho wind sports on summers day.
| With tho skill of one well accustomed to
fence with the weapon OF speech. he turned
off the conversation to other topics, and
| shortly after his guests all left, the colonel