The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-21


kind badinage was Pierre, but he re-
solved not to have any alteration if he
could avoid it for the sake of Marie's
peace Of mind.
He was, however, only a very young
man, and the blood Of youth is hot, and
there are limits to a young mans pa
tience.
The occasion came one evening when
Macaire was more than usually rough
in his manner and seemed almost as il
he had determined to have quarrel
with some one. He tried to provoke his
usual victims, but without avail. This
irritated him, and he grew nastier still
in his manner, but still without response.
so that when Pierre joined the circle he
greeted him in tho most insulting man.
ner he could, saying:
"Come here! Come here, my little
jack-in-the-boxi Make way there, gen.
tlemen. for the unhappy lover who was
tossedi- Come, little boy. Drink q
measure to the successful rival who car
ried off the BRIDE"
Pierre's blood began to boil, the more
so because the other young fellows be-
gan to laugh loudly, partly to cover their
own discontinue and some of them in q
secret hope that Pierre, who was well
known to be one of the strongest young
men in the place, might be inflamed to
chastise the insolence which had been
showered upon them. He tried to con-
troll himself and succeeded to some de-
gree, although the hot flush of passion
mounted to his brow. Robert was evil
IDENTIFY determined to provoke him, for,
leaning back in his chair, he said with
an air of infinite contempt:
"Look. gentlemen, the pigeon is chang
ing to the turkeycock. For myself do
not care to see the sparrow in rage, al
though the spectacle is not without its
comic side"
Pierre could hardly speak with rage.
lie felt the veins of his forehead swell
ing, and the laughter OF his companions
rang in his ears with a confused noise.
With great effort he controlled him
self. He stood quite still, and his face
grew white as marble. In low voice
he said slowly:
81 have borne all your Sights and in
suits without word, on your wife's ac-
count, but you had better beware or you
may get your deserts"
From you;" asked Macaire sneor-
ingly,
"From me. If necessary" answered
the young man. "But mp to certain.
point you may escape on your wife's ac-
count"
"What the devil has my wife 10 do
with your She didn't seem TO care very
much about your feelings, although You
were rather spoony on her before she be-
came my property"
This DC said with an air of insolent
triumph which would have reused any
man. Still Pierre kept silent, and the
rest were silent also, for they recognized
that his blood was up and that his
wrath might possibly fall on some of
them. Robert did not enjoy the silence.
There was little fun in his torturing un-
less there were others to enjoy it, so he
tied another tack.
"Dear me, how hot of blood we arel
With such q superabundance Of pug
nacity wonder that you do not seek a
place in the army. There is plenty OF
work TO bo done--by men who are not
afraid to do it. Why do you not join
tho army of Englandi There is need Of
young men there"
Pierre answered elewlys
81 suppose you were on your way
there when you found your way here.
And yet it is strange that you came from
the north. / suppose that you had to
rest yourself and recover from that
wound in your leg where you carried the
shot. As can claim no such distinction
and have no such honorable wound TO
show, think shall leave such excellent
COMPANY. For you should advise you