Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-05-25


can't glances intcrchangcd between him
and Mile. Solange.
Oh, but he would have his revenge be.
fore longl
Where ia my niece?"
"With her cavalier, baroness"
II declare, your petit able is getting
rather too bold.
DO not worry, aunt" said the young
officer, laughing heartily. During the
minuet he seemed to be preparing a ser
mon, and he is doubtless delivering it to
poor Solangc. 1t must be very edifying
for my sister"
Very cdifying indeed. Once alone with
the young girl, the chevalicr attempted to
commence his discourse; but, whether it
was the excitement of the ball or the mu-
sic of the orchestra still ringing in his
ears, he could not find the words to pref
ace his thoughts.
''Barbaric Misunderstanding theil holy
calling" He spoke in the plural as ter
tative. THE Lord alone is worthy of such
an angelic spouse, who-that"-
He essayed to warm himself up to the
occasion, to pick up the lost thread of his
grafton, but he found himself moro and
more entanglcd-hypnotizcd by little
black velvet beauty spot coquettishly plac-
feet on the glowing cheek of Mile So
lange. 1t seemed to mock the discomfort
ed orator.
"Othcr duties called them. In new
life she would grow in grace, in virtue in
holiness. Her piety, her mind, her match
less mildncss, would be admired by all.
She looked at him, astonished, tapping
with her little foot in quick, nervous mo-
tions, biting her rosy lips, while the little
black beauty spot continued its mischief
1.-The church would not lose servant
Philosophy would not be widowed by his
genius, which-that' -
The poor wretch was utterly at loss
what to say when a burst of laughter in
terrupted him. Solange laughed and
laughed-evcry dimple in her face laughed
Even the little black beauty spot was
seized with sudden mirthfulness. 1t
frisked about in convulsive merriment.
Blushing disconnected, his arms swing
ing, his mouth gaping, he waited for this
hilarity to pass.
"Mademoiselle"- he stammered.
Il beg your pardon, sir, but it is too lu-
dicrous.' And she pressed her handller-
chief to her mouth to stop another burst
of mirth.
"Mademoiselle, do not like to be
laughed at"
"Then, sir, do not be so ridiculous, " she
replied.
Ridiculous! 1t was in vain to pose as
philosopher, stole or even scholar There
are words that cause ones self love to furl
its sails, even the self love of a petit able.
With a terrible look he overwhelmed this
audacious young person who had shown
so little respect to his eloquence. That
look was his destruction. If all women
were monsters, as Father Damase had pre-
tended. then Solange d'Estournel was as
suredly one of the prettiest monsters one
could meet.
"Besides, sir, your frankness releases
me. 1 have decided preference myself,
not for the convent, but for one of my
cousins, who will be very much obliged to
you for the course'-
All, that was another matterl The
chevalier scowlcd. He had no intention
of serving another persons interest Could
it be that young officer who had forced his
presence upon them few moments before?
Perhaps.
My compliments, " he said in an offend
ed tone. Really, the handsome lieuten-
ant was to be congratulated Queer ideas
chased each other through the mind Of
the young neophyte. His brain whirled
he began to feel II sensation of ridicule be-
fore this charming young girl, to whom he
had just made such a strange speech. All
how he was wishing that sermon had new
er come out of his mouth
She was watching him slyly, and the
little black beauty spot began to dance
'Will you please take me back to my aunt
STRIP
LAS Won desire, madcmOisplle."
But instead of Offering his hand to as
Eist her to rise he sat down near her.
If we must remain strangers, made
moiselle, may we not at least be fricnds|
yes, sir. -
"Give me sisters confidence, and per
haps with my larger experience l can be of
service to you. Between you and me- this
soldicr-your cousin-whom l know--by
reputation--is not the man for you.
Really
mo" soberly insisted the petit able.
HE is gambler, dcbauche, a man with.
out principle-he would make you very
unhappy"
'Do you think so?"
Il am certain of it. He would captivatc
you by honeycd words, but the finest Ian
guage often conceals the true thought"
Il suspected as much myself, and the
little beauty spot was getting beyond con-
troll.
"A few moments ago you thought per
haps l was cold, Indifferent, while, on
the contrary, my heart was beating. Just
see, it is beating now"
1t was true. The heart of the unhappy
chevalier was beating like drum call un-
der the white hand of his companion.
IF you could know how l am suffer
ing; if you could feel what am feeling;
If could tell you''-
Sylvandre was really eloquent. But
now his flowery rhetoric was not thrown
away His tender words were gently sooth-
ing to the ears of Solange. He spoke very
low, leaning toward her, so near-so very
near.
BOUNDS, abbe A fly is biting you'll"
Red as peony he jumped up. Sir!
am not a churchman, but a swordsman, as
much as yourself, sir" he dryly returned
recognizing the handsome lieutenant who
had offended him in the early part of the
evening.
The lieutenant replied to this provoca
ton by burst of laughter
"Only see auntv' he exclaimed, point
ing to the purple countenance of his adver
sary.
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