The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-06-25
BAFFLED.

The sun dropped into tho sea; long,
huttering banners of cloud, red Us
blood. strcamed upward toward the
zenith: q little wind shivcred over the
CLASSY water. The oars Of the boat
men-six gigantic fellows in uniforms of
blue and white linen made rhythmic
splash in the silence. Nine. D'Erlotf
leaned back Oh her silkcu cushions. un-
der the white awning. ard looked off
into the flaming West. Without NOV
ing her eyes from the gold aud orange
and crimson blaze. she said to the man
beside her in calm accents:
Kindly cease fixing your gaze upon
me. 1t inks me. 1t grows monoton.
ous."
Lena
Aud Go not call ne by my name,"
ehe continued as before. Ineyer gave
you rermls ion"
The mans sallow cheek grew paler
His dark eyes emitted su,len flash un-
der their thick brows
Can no devotio.. win you? Can no
man move you-no man save that cold
livered, blond STRIPPING of an Ameri-
camp
He had gone too far The woman
turned upon him and half raised the
jeweled handle OF the ,ara,ol she
held, as if size would have struck him.
He met her gaze uniinching. At that
instant the boat rounded yerdurous
promintory o; the coast and they came
in sight of the first traces and garden
walks of the D'ErlotT villa.
On the terrace, their backs turned to
the advancing pleasure craft. were two
figures. Nine. dErlnif aud her com
panion saw them at the same instant.
"Ah! Meester PheniXi' said Aryllle
in All indescIibable tone. Speak of an
angel"
The woman on the siikcn cushion had
not stirred. All life in her had become
concentrated in The glance of the jewel
like eyes. The second figure on the
terrace was that of girl in q silver
gray dress; a figure slight and almost
as tall rs Nine. d>Erloif's own. Against
the collar of the silver gray dress there
hung schoolgirl braid of tiaxen hair.
The man. who was tall and blonde also.
had just raised the hand of the girl to
his lips.
Ten minutes later The pleasure boat
swung softly up to the white water
stairs of the villa
Nine. d'Erlod stepped out. Her
companion, bowing low. stood with un-
covered head, that smile still beneath
his black mustache. \ glance that
was like steel clashed against his.
"1on were going?' said Nine. der
loft. Il don't you to 60. Follow
me-"
The smile grew deeucr. Hc followed.
She swept in through the long, open
window, against which the thin curtaii
swayed III the rerfumed breeze That
palpitating, changing red was still in
the West. She sank On a divan and
turned her eyes full upon him. She
spoke very slowly, very clearly; her
voice had not tremor
Il wish to be reyerged. Do YOU
hear?"
They measured each other an Instant.
The smile had died from the Chevalier's
lips Once more slow pallor had
come over his swart cheeks. Not pal
ior OF fear, of apprehension a pallor of
expectancy. of desperate determination.
She made a motion that was like o
ahrug.
"1ou have always said that you were
my slave. That you would die for me-
if necessary. Well, no one asks You to
die. 1t is smaller service that l want.
Prove your DEVOTION
In her forced calmness. almost non
chalance, there was something terrible.
He who knew the fires Of jealousy, of
rf
that icy chest, made one short step for
ward.
Whatever you ask of me [ will do"
he muttercd, below his breath. But
expect my reward. 1 do 4othing for
nothing"
She bowed her head.
/ acquiesce in the condition"
She motioned him imperiously to a
seat beside her. Thereafter they talked
in Cones low as the wind which stirred
the flowers outside in the pale light of a
rising moon.
To Monica Penrhyn, the slight, fair,
shy young American companion of
Mme d'Erloff, sitting without on the
moonbathed terrace there came pres
emily slight step.
"AIi alone, mademoiselle? said the
Cheyalier Aryille's vibrant voice, KEYED
to a softness she had not heard in il be-
fore. For one SO young and so lovely
it is melancholy. And alone you were
all the afternoon, also, is it not 500"
Il do not mind loneliness" said
Monica. cnriously nervons in this man )
proximity, lnstincsively shrinking away
from she knew not what. Then the
sensitive love Of truth in her constrain-
ing the words:
Mr.. Phenix, too, came to see Nine.
d'Erlo1f, and finding her out, stayed a
little and talked TO me-"
"Ah, Mr.. Phenix. A charming man. :"
"He has been very kind to me-" MUIR
INJURED the poor child, staunchily.
"Ah, mademoiselle," said the low
tones SO near to her, who would not be
that?"
Il hear Nine. dErloff calling me. l
think" hastily stammered the girl,
moving away.
Nine. dErlonf, scarf of lace about
her radiant bronze gold head stood in
the window of the great lrawing-room,
in which the lights were blazing softly.
did l not see you talking to the
Chevalier on the terrace just now, dear
child? Surely yes. He is standing
there yet. Go back to him. Enter
tain him little. | shall have visitors
/ for the next hour that wou,d only cause
~,hin, ennui. Go back, chere petite"
She watched the girls slowly re-