The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-07-05

volubly and appeared enchanted with the
| meeting.
I They have sent me Muscovite ro-
nance am enthusiastic over the music
| You know Russian. | have counted on
! you to translate the words"
| Il am at your service"
Come quick; will take you"
opened my eyes very wide. You will
| take mey"
| The princess had drawn me to her car
riage. She sprang lightly in, and making
place for me, Come, get in" said she.
| was astoundcd, and thinking of what
was in my coat pocket, "Oh, no, madam,
cannot"-
"Why not'"
II did not expect"-
How boyish you arel' she said, smiling.
Get in. command you"
1t was necessary to obey. An instant
after felt myself borne rapidly along.
was dizzy. Ny emotion was so great that
| could not breathe The princess doubt
! less perceived this for again | saw her
smile. Wishing to increase my confusion
she leaned toward me-
you were waiting for me just now?"
! she asked sweetly.
"Oh, no. madam, s"ca you"-
Then what were you dc on the steps
of the Baron de LuCques2'
What answer could be given? Could |
own that had taken refuge there to eat
my fried potatoes2 blushcd furously
without being able to think of the smallest
lib, and the princess could only conclude
that had followed and waited for her. 1t
did not appear to displease her, for she
presently began again: do you know, sir,
that have great compliments to pay you?
| have read all your poems, all, and have
| found them very beautiful"
"Ah, madam, is it true?"
REALLY they have touched me, You will
publish themY
"Ncver."
"What, never? You will conceal them
| from the public?'
at is enough for me that you have read
them"
! THAT is almost declaration, sir" she
cried; your poems are all of love!"
| remained voiceless, but my eyes were
so eloquent that the princess had to lower
| hers.
"Ah. sir poets" she resumed, what
beautiful loves you have in your headsp'
"ln our headsl" | cried. "Ah, madam,
|
Of love except from his heart, and if
were a woman it seems to me that could
not be deceived"
The subject of conversation was not of
nature to mako me find the time long. We
reached the Avenue d'Eylau rs by en-
chantment. The carriage entered the
courtyard and | helped the princess to
leave it. | kept her little hand in mine as
we went up the stairs, vast staircase.
mysterious like temple, and covered with
carpet, where our footballs made no sound.
We had talked of nothing but love- and |
was so full of my subject expressed my
self with so much warmth, that a sweet
intimacy was rot slow to establish itself
between us. We had assembled dozen
steps and found ourselves under the light
of the candelabra, when the young lady
| stopped.
"Thcn," she said in low voice, you,
too, you love me-"
THAT love is all my life, madame
'Tt is easy enough to say that one loves
but the proof"
1.-The proof"
still held the hand of the princess, who
looked into my eyes as if to read my soul
Yes" she repeated, "the proof"
Had | the time to improvise an ardent
plea, to tell her all I felt, to multiply
words? 1t was impossible. | was wildly
excited; n brilliant idea crossed my mind.
| And then her eyes were so alluring Yield
ing to the irresistible temptation caught
her in my arms, and for an instant my ewes
sought hers.
At last they metl Oh that was kiss of
despair; II supreme kiss wherein seemed
to lose my lifel 1t was no longer the prln
cess palpitating in my strong arms, but
the beloved woman who thrilled at my
touch and whose soul | drank. do not
know how long it lasted we whirled upon
the steps.
Then saw the princess clinging to the
gilded railing very pale, her eyes closed.
She held one hand on her breast and
seemed to no longer breathe. AS for me,
trembled like criminal When she
opened her eyes she frowned at first, then
her face softened and | saw that she tried
to smile.
You use singular arguments" she said
in a light tone, from which it was impos-
sible to divine what was passing in her
mind.
At this moment we heard the sound of a
| door some one opened. The waiting maid
of the princess came to tell her mistress
that many callers awaited her.
! They were Nine Gravier de Miret and
her three big bachelor sons, the handsome
| Duke de MauleS, the little Vicomte de
Vombeles and the lively Marquis de Mu-
sirolles. Nine. de Miret ran to embrace
! the princes.
| "Ah, my dear" said she, "you did not
expect to find such Il large court Nobody
wanted to go without having seen you"
| The princess would not allow them to
depart Immediately, and with her bewitch-
ing grace began to chat, saying all the
times the prettiest things.
| | was very little acquainted with this
brilliant company, and the lovers of the
princess especially cast upon me stealthy
looks, full of defiance and jealousy But
| gave no attention to them nor to the con-
versation interesting as it was, because q
small parsonage to whom | had not vet
been presented was all the time causing
me the most cruel alarm. This was M.
Bonbon, the dog of the princess, a grifron
! of pedigree, n rare and marvellous beast as
large as my two fists, and who had cost the
| price OF an OK. 1t is inconceivable to what
extent these little animals, reared in
opulcnce, can become foppish and ridicu-
lousy vain. There is something of the
vulgar upstart in their small heads.
When first entered he sprang from the
armchair, where he was coddling himself
! in soft drowsiness, and came straight to
me, eying me from head to foot, showing
by most expressive grimaces the disdain
and astonishment inspired by II visitor SO
| i'll dressed.
why do they admit people of that sortW
he seemed to say. Then, running around
me he gave n growl, which doubtless con-
tanned all the abusive language that dog
could utter 70 q man. My boots, above all