Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1894-08-11

with MS curing muSaICne anu conquer"
or's bearing, troubled him exceedingly, es-
pecially when he intercepted the signifi-
can't glances interchanged between him
and Mile. Solange
Oh, but he would have his revenge be-
fore long!
"Where is my niece?"
'With her cavalier, baroness.
Il declare, your petit abbe is getting
rather too bold"
do not worry, aunt" said the young
officer, laughing heartily. During the
minuet he seemed to be preparing SER
mon, and he is doubtless delivering it to
poor Solange. 1t must be very edifying
for my sister,"
Very edifying indeed. Once alone with
the young girl, the cheyalier 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 their holy
calling" He spoke in the plural as ten
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 more and
more entangled-hypnotized by little
black velvet beauty spot coquettishly plac-
cd so as to produce the most delightful ef
feet on the glowing cheek Of Mile So
lange 1t seemed to mock the disconcert-
ed orator.
"Other duties called them. In O new
life she would grow in grace in virtue, in
holiness. Her piety, her mind, her match
less mildness, 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 a loss
what to say when burst Of laughter in
terrupted him. Solange laughed and
laughed-everyd 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 pass
"Mademoiselle"- he stammered.
II beg your pardon, sir, but it Is too lu-
dicrous" And she pressed her handker-
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! It was in vain to pose as a
philosopher, stole or even scholar. There
are words that cause ones self love to furl
It's sails, even the self love Of petit able.
With a terrible look he overwhelmed this
audaclous 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. I 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 matter! The
chevalier scowled. He had no intention
of serving another person interest. Could
1t be that young officer who had forced his
presence upon them a few moments beforep
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 sensation of ridiculo be-
fore this charming young girl, to whom he
had Just made such strange speech. All,
how he was wlsnlng that sermon had ney-
CT 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,
sir?"
GAS you DESIRE mademoisclle.
But instead of offering his hand to as
sist her to rise he sat down near her.
''If we must remain strangers, made
moiselle, may we not at least be friendsY"
"Yos, sir"
'Give me sisters confidence, and per-
haps with my larger experience can be of
service to you. Between you and me, this
soldier-your cousin-whom I know-by
reputation-is not the man for you."
"Really?'
NO." soberly insisted the petit abbe.
"He is gambler, a debauche, a man with
out principle--he would make you very
unhappy"
"Do you think sop
II am certain of It, He would captivate
you by honeyed words, but the finest Ian
guage often conceals the true thought
II suspected as much myself" and the
little beauty spot was getting beyond con-
troll
"A few moments ago you thought per-
haps I 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 adrum call un-
der the white hand of his companion.
"If you could know how am suffer
ing; If you could feel what I am feeling;
If / could tell you'-
Sylvandre was really eloquent. But
now his fowery rhetoric was not thrown
away. His tender words were gently sooth-
ing to tho cars of Solange. He spoke very
low, leaning toward her, SO near-so very
near.
"Zounds, able! A fly Is biting you!'
Red as peony he jumped up. "Sir!
am not churchman, but swordsman, as
much as yourself, sir" he dryly returned,
had offended him in the early part of the
evening.
The lieutenant replied to this provoca-
tion by burst of laughter.
"Only see, auntp' he exclaimed, point
ing to the purple countenance Of his adver-
sary