Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-08

! wnlcn ~ OF course, plcheu up anu
handed to her, at which her hand, with
whispered THANK you, sir!" touched
mine, and the sill1cn lashes dropped on
her blushing checks.
1t was pretty; so pretty that would
gladly have done the same again. I
made another attempt with Parmesan
cheese for the macaroni, and salad
with the roast, always succeeding a
merveille; only her blush deepened and
a slight smile quivered about her full
lips.
/ This time as she rose and shot n
glance at me from the door could not
resist the temptation Of following her
into the drawing-room.
She was seated in n rocking chair,
half hidden by a jardiniere, paper in
her hand. The clergyman was placing
the pieces for game of chess with the
German professor.
The long lashes were lowered,
though 1 was positive the lady had seen
me. The rocking chair was moving
slowly back and forth and afforded me
a glimpse of two dainty little feet in
open-work silk stockings and satin
slippers.
Seated on n low stool by the fireplace,
watching for u mark of favor.
There was a terrible din ut the piano.
This time 1 was not scared away by it;
only as the room began to fill it was
natural that l should move my chair
into tho quieter corner, near the
jardiniere.
The overture to Midsummer Nights
Dream" was ringing out, when my ears
| Ill
perceived the useful fan, which had
slipped from the beauty's hand. AS she
could not be a second without it, l
handed it to her half kneeling and
whispering softly: "Madame!"
She started.
"Ah! sir, you are very kind! I am so
awkward. What will you think of
me?"
And her eyes, which had strange,
shimmering brilliance, looked for a mo-
ment into mine.
seated myself quite near her. On
account of the music we could only
J whisper.
MADAME Is not English?" asked in
French.
"Why not?" said she, with bewitch-
ingly roguish smile.
because the English ladies that l
have known are quite different; they
are not so, not So"
Clumsy as I, you wished to say, did
you not?" asked She, superciliously, but
lowering her lashcs under my gaze.
Still, sir, am her gracious majesty,
Queen Victoria's, most loyal little sub
ject; in order to solve the riddle at once
for you, will tell you that am Irish.
You might have known that by my nc
cent? my husband maintains that l
speak dreadful English
II do not think that should be such
a severe critic, because-well, because
I understand very little English. Does
madame love her country?"
do l love it? The lovely green
is now being desolated and de-
Oh! those English"-with q glance to-
ward her husband, they are truly too
embetant- they would have put an
end to the disorder long ago. The
Prussians should manage things; they
would understand! Are you not
Prussian, sir, and an officer? 1 thought
so at once. Are all the Prussian officers
SO tall and $3.50 strong?"
by height aud strength our officers
would not quen the rebellion" said
snilingly, but 1 feel convinced that
the Prussians would straighten up mat
ters in Ireland quickly. But shall we
talk politics while such sweet strains
come from the piano?"
"Then we should not talk at all, but
listen politely" said the lady, with her
mischievous smile; cor what subject
would you propose?" she continued,
, lowering her lashes.
''If it is not too inquisitive, should
like to ask if madame is on her wedding
tour?"
"Oh! Heaven preserve mel what an
idea! am an old married woman, sir.
have been married six years! What
made you think so? My husband and I
have not, are not" she paused.
81 do not know myself how such a
thought occurred to me; think It was
beca1se the wedding ring looked so
bright" said I, looking at her small
white hand, which lay quite near me on
the arm of the chair.
She raised her hand and moved the
ring back and forth as she looked down
at It.
st Is very wide and heavy" she said
ut last in n low voice. ''It Is somewhat
tight, too" She raised her lashes and
looked in my eyes.
G-well, what wanted to do or say is
not clear to me, for at that moment the
midsummer Nights Dream" closed
with crashing accord; before me stood
the Russian, who asked in his deep, low
voice:
"Shan We take cup of coffee at
Rumpelmeyer's again today"
sprang up, stammered confused
every gladly" bowed low to the lady
I did not dare look at her-and left the
room. In passing out, heard the Ger
man professor Say 10 the Clergyman:
"Gardez la reineI" I glanced quickly
at my companion, but not q muscle Of
his serious face moved.
The fresh NIGHT mir was pleasant