The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-20
ow FIRST PUBLISHED
CHAPTER XIV.


The cause of annoyance was an epis-
tie the Franch language written
in hand writing so eccentric as to be al
most illegible. Sir Eustace's knowledge OF
the tongue his correspondent employed was
bat elementary, and fer better French
scholar than be might easily have found the
scrawl oppressive.
For PHYS sake, Julia. do see IL you can
make head or tail Of this" he exclaimed at
last, pushing the letter across tue table.
"What is it'll" asked bis sister.
sits from De Ronde Lereoux. Confound
himl' the baronet answered. THE beggar
knows my French isn't good for much. He
eau write just as good English as l eau
when he has a mind. and he sends me this
abominable scrawl to pay me out. sup
pose, for having gwen him the trouble to
write it."
"Mons. de viconteF said the lady. "a
very charming man, and quite capable. I'm
sure, of writing very charming letter"
20, 1 dare say" Sir Eustace admitted.
''the letters charming enough If one could
only read it,"
'Let me try" said his sister.
She pored over the letter for a moment,
and then looked Up with a little spirit Of
laughter.
"Eustace," she said, ''you have been air
ing your French"
"Airing my Frencbr he demanded, with
an aspect half hsngdog. half defiant.
'What do you mean by that's"
"You know psr lectly well what mean"
his sister retorted. "You have been writ
ing t. Monsieur le Viconte in his native Lam
guage."
"Does be say So" inquired Sir Eustsce.
30, dear no" the lady answered. He
doesn't say so, but tue letter does. 1t is
written in q most admirable copy Of your
own style. The pdstiche ID excellent.
Listen"
She read aloud. stopping to laugh from
time 10 time.
"Je visns d'svo recu une lettre de vous,
mon cher censrade. ct je m'empresse de
vOus repondre. J'ai dams mon cell un
homme qui est 10 vrai homme pour vous
Js vous renverrez de suite. C'est un homme
tres sobre, tres seret tres hOnuete, Ell bien
experiments. II etc dams mon service
pour six ans. Son age est quar- ante quatre,
ses yeux sont girls sa mustache est grisatre,
mals il ne Sc grise jamals."
Il can make all that out" said Sir
Eustace, except the last sentence. What
have his eyes and his mustache TO do with
ftp
"They serve to, herald bad joke" tue
lady responded, which is the only flaw in
the whole production"
SIS that tine lot Of itln Sir Eustace asked.
THAT is all, except the customary
French flourish at tie end in which you are
besought to believe that Mons. leViconte ten
ders YOU his most high consideration"
"Wen." demanded her brother, "what is
there to laugh atp
Moth whatever if you choose to he
grave about it. But who is the man he is
sendingr
90" returned Sir Eustace, "pm not salts
fed with Lawrences management of the
the wineries. l had set my heart on the first
prize at the country show, aud that con-
founded young pdrUenu Of Rogers has
beaten me hollo ", so | wrote to Lereoux
sskIng him to recommend me a frst-rate
man."
"Well, Eustace. you have an excellent
winery, and the vicOnte may send you an
excellent man, but we shall always beat you
at Wellsted.n
"Wellsted!n cried her brother with a
jovial scorn, "Wellstedi Why, I'd beat
Wellsted If / had nobody but myself Co de-
pend on. You can grow a decent Black
Hamburg, but even there beat you. Aud
where's your"
Don't be quite SO overwhelming.
Eustace. challenge you now. Meet us at
Colchester, and We meet you at Worcester.
on our own ground we can't compete for
prizes, but We can ask for judgment"
''Donew cried her brother. That's a
bargain. Come in. Well, what is itF'
A servant entered, and stood for a mo-
meDt with hand upon the door.
There's person to See you, Sir Eustace.
He seems to be in charge"
''Oficer with himg
Yes, Sir Eustace.n
''Send him into the library. Some Justice
business, l suppose, though it's absurdly
ixyf 70 ~, . ~
excuse me, Julia"
His sister asserting be walked across the
hall and into the library, where an officer
with that stolid air of impassivity which
seems inseparable from the British police
man on duty, saluted him.
What is your businessm the baronet in
quired.
This individual, began the officer, indi-
eating his charge.
II decline to be nominated as an individ,
uel," the charge broke In in foreign-Souud-
ing but fluent English. Il am person of
respectable entecedents and positionn
He was man under the middle HIGHT
with huge gray mustache, and face the
color OF Normandy pippin. He accom-
panied his description of himself with vivid
gestures, and looked as if. for one reason or
another, his temper had passed the boiling
point.
what is the businessq" Sir Eustace asked
again.
This individual" the policeman began
once more.
Permit me to explain" said the little
man. very pale beneath his brown, and his
eyes sparkling with excitement Il have
the honor to address Sir Eustace Wyn-
combp'
THAT is my name"
Then" pursued the little man, with an
astonishing volubllity or tone, II have the
further honor TO present to Sir Eustaoe
Wynco nb letters Of Recommendation and
Introduction from my honored friend and
patron, the Vicente de Ronde Lereoux. Sir
Eussace Wyncomb will obser ve"-he pressed
an open letter into the baronet's hand
that my name is Andre Dom; that am of
full experience in the matter in which Sir
Eustace desires assistance; that my terms
are 400 frncs per month, with maintenance:
and that, If terms should be concluded | am
willing az once to enter on my dutles.n
All this the rapid, French-toned voice de-
lived with a wrathful emphasis, which
seemed TO be directed toward the stolidly
impassive officer, who was just as much
impressed by it, as dead tree might have
been.
After the mention of the name Andre
Dom. the baronet heard not a word, He
saw at once what had happened. The name
Of this fiery little Frenchman had got him
into mischief.
"ofiicer,' he said, "whers do you come