New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-08
MADELAINE LEROUX.
BY KATHARINE S. MACoUOID.


Viequier mounts for short way very stecply,
until il is some height above the little meadow
beside, the Seine. On the right is wooded hill,
and the top of the descent to the meadow is
bordcrcd by slvcr-stemmed slender armed birch
trees, which at evening time look weird and
Ghostly
At the foot of this road on the side nearest
the town of Caudebec, there stands q pleasant
looking white house, with high roof and two
window are covered with climbing roses, which
have stretched their branches to reach an upper
row of lattices.
round it, is in front of the house: and this path
continues on the left, and is soon lost to sight
III OaeTed WIN o1be Teei c tnI love S@s Stone
wall, so old that it is many-colorcd with moss
and lichcn, divides both front and back garden
from the orchard which slopes up the NIL De
side the white road
The river makes sudden bend outwards after
il has passed the house so that its steep green
bank borders the road just opposite Alademolselle
Chaumee's dwelling. Only few days ago the
high autumn tide of the Barre swept fmiousy
over this bank. across the road. and through the
tall iron entrancc-gates. till it flung a shower
If yellow foam and stones and twiss against
Modemoisellc Chaumcle's windows.
The river looked quiet enough TINS m rMini s.
coming frost The trees far on the left, where the
river takes a dark bend toward CaudeOecquet
looked much less dense than they had looked
yesterday: many brown and gold leaves had
fallen under cover of the darkness.
The lattice above the hay window opened. and
her earnest dark eyes gazcd lovingly across the
Seine. and then leftwardS toward the mst-Nellci
bend: but Madelaine LerouX was practical, ana
she knew that if she meant TO gather An4l
Vrginie nosegay before breakfast, she had little
time 10 spend III admiring the view from hcr
window.
Dion rose below her window were out of reach,
and So we're some creamy nolsctc roses on iire
porch. When she reached tic garden. the border
lowers that had looked so gay from her window
proved themselves to be deceptions; the toll Whle
daisies. on which she had rcckoned. had blackeheG
tins and the chrysanthemum petals were nlpped
brown She gave little cry OF triumph as she
looked round. Just against the IRON fence III
front of the house She sped a bunch OF I nina nm.
thought this as she stood looking at them; She
was so absorbed by their beauty that sudden
She turned round and saw an enormous pig in
1le middle of the grass plot: it was groutLng both
with its front paws and with is SPOUT, III search
of some treasure which it evidently expected -
lind under the turf, and it grunted as 1t erou'cd
Go away, 20 away YOU nasty, greedy creature
thc girl cried in frightened voice; YOU are
snoiling Aunt Virginics grass plot 90. / say
shc swished her pale blue skirt at the intruder {,
for an instant il left off grouting; but IT stared
ut Madclaine with such fierce little req eyes tHaU
Tie girl drew back in alarm.
What shall do2 l believe pigs bite 1o when
Elise, come, come Joseph, make haste' uh'
garden will be spoiled.
The huge pig had gone back with a srnnt to
IFS grOutiug, but the glT CRIES SeeNleu 10 l4Itdtt
il: il came toward her. shaking its huge sides
and crunting, looking, She thought. sun more
savage: 1t was between her and the hUnse' ana
as il continued TO advance on her, Madealne
suddenly lost courage, and she fed TO the entrance
gates. ,, 49,,
"Uplp me :" the girl said breathlessly, and she
opcncd the gate. Please drive the pig away /
am frightened of II.
She scarcely looked at the stranger she Only
saw that he was man. and she felt sure that he
would help her.
The stranger seemed young and strong, hut the
pir took no heed of his raised waiking-stck
EcoinG This he rained a shower of blows on the
back Of the ugly brute, which drew forth hdeoCs
series of gIunts and soueaks, ana, 10 M'uVIl'
relief The creature trOtted out INTO the rodd us
enormous sides shaking an accompaniment W us
clamOr - i. .,
rordcn There was a buzz Of questions, and
Tadclainc saw her aunt come out into the porch:
Come in. monsieur, come in the9 Deg -
Stopping mischief. Eli then, monsieur, it IS tie
fault of my careless gardener. Joseph, 70 Whom'
il you will believe me: l have more man once once
In the wall beside the orchard. All! monsieur,
Won re indeed a friend in need. II was wei that
yen came 70 the rescde for '2S on %Ss s Ie did rot
nv at you. Were. you much frightened my
precious Madelaine' I"
l;y this tine MademOiselle Chaumelle had come
ND with Madelaine and her champion, and the
stranger could not help smiling at the contrast
between the aunt and the niece go
smiling face seemed shorter than she really was,
as She stood pattinr the slim, tall girls shoulder
just now Madclane's dark. gypsy-llke face was
crouchinS with shame at the remembrance OF her
cuwardicc Tor she thought that really formld9-
bile animal would not have been so quickly TOuteq
shc Thought too, that her aunt was unnecessarily
gushing in her gratitude for such service
Madeainc had only arrived late on the previous
evening and then Monsieur lie Cure had come III
10 supper: so there had not been time Tor
comfortable talk alone with Aunt Virginie. =,
adeane leronX had iather ana lnp an V SHcfGs
sister, had died when the girl was still an infant
but though her stcpmother loved her very dearly
Madame lcronX did not spoil Madeaine as Mad
cmoiselle Chaumelle did and the girl was always
ready TO go and stay at Caudebec She had
come this time to take her aupts advice on a q
very important subject, ana she was uneasy ull
their talk had taken place. -,
Is monsieur making a stay IN Caudebec :?
he eT few drs 'Hf he and
then he glanced TO the porch as If he wanted to
bc asked indoors ;.
Mademoiselle Chaumelle was looking at him
with Il very mournful expression in her eyes.
Pardon me- monsieur" she said, and Made
lanc thought her aunts voice sounded broken,
but you remind me so much Of some one | knew
years ago. May ] venture 10 ask your name p
Madclaine looked hard at the stranger, ana she
thought she had never seen that grave, almost
stern face before Dark gray-bluc eyes looked
out frankly under wel-marked eyebrows: the nose
and forehead reminded the Girl OF an ancient coin
aud the mouth, though partly hidden by brown
mustache. Was sharply cut and full Of character
MadelaiEe decided that the stranger must De very
severe. ard she felt sure he must think her aunt
foolish. The part Of his face she liked best was
lis broad, square forehead and the crisp waves Of
rich brown hair above il. lie looked She fancied,
surprised at her aunts question, but hi answered
nj once
MY name is Maurice Henri. mademoiselc
J live nj present in Paris: but | shall probably
settle In ROucn some dav"
Madcuosele Chaumelie looked disappointed
My friends name was not Henri. monsieur
but IL Is strange that one OF his Christian names
vas Maurice. Monsieur must permit 10 say
that the likeness see makes me feel as il ne were
nn old acquaintance. VIII he bc so amiahle rs
10 come In and breakfast with this morning ?"
Monsieur Henri bowed. He had brcakfasted
before he came out; but the spinsters ready