Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-07

to yourself, An apartment in town will DO
more convenient for you to receive your
friends in, but first you must take look
at tho place. viii you not come in nowf'
The next day all the town knew Of the
arrangement and knew not which to nd
mire more-the dexterity Of M. ee Saupi
quet, who was getting his rent without
the inconvenient presence Of his tenant, OF
the prodigality of the viscount, who was
paying two rents for his accommodation.
The young officer had handsomely fur
nished little entresol in the Grande Rue
and soon justified, by the number and
quality of the visits he received the pre-
cautions that Hortense' parents had taken
In his case
Meanwhile his three horses spent happy
days and peaceful nights in the summer
house. These were two well bred mares
that the captain drove, sometimes in his
phaeton, sometimes in break, and mag
hiicent Irish hunter that he rode like a
centaur. 1t was not long before CASTOR
t'made rain or sunshine, " as the saying
is, at the Saup1quets. His equipage was
bitten at the disposal of the ladies, to whom
he had presented the flower of the regi-
ment. 1t was now military salon, in
WulCu ILC DldCh COuJb btClliCNl as Oub VI
place as a pot of jam would be in an arm
orer's window.
Among these black coats that of M. de
ia Jarrie was particularly uncomfortable.
When the hussars arrived, this gentleman
was engaged, or almost so, to Mile. Hor-
tense Saupiquet, one of the best matches
of the neighborhood. In the provinces all
matters are conducted with wise delibera-
tion, and it was not unusual for matri-
monial projects to take six months in the
hatching-a sufficient time in Paris for
two persons to marry, deceive each other,
find it out and commence actions for di.
Voroe
But one day as he entered the Saupi.
quet garden La Jsrrie found himself face
TO face with horse. On the horse was q
good looking officer in fatigue uniform,
and beside the animal stood a pretty young
person in rose colored gown, giving the
brute Jumps Of sugar. The sugar, the rose
colored gown, the officer and the horse
made very disagreeable impression on
Edouard and couple Of days later his
mother, summoned by telegraph, made q
formal demand Of Nine. de Saupiquet for
her daughters hand.
Your request does US infinite honor"
replied the proprietress of the summer
house. II must take time to think about
1t and talk it over with M. de Saupiquet.
am afraid that he will think her too
young to be married this year"
La Jarrie lost standing. Solicitations to
him became distant. His hand was shaken
languidly. Some said he had asked the
government, in whose service he was for
a change Of post; other, that his finances
were askew. For his part, he bided his
time patiently, counting on the future.
In the opinion OF everybody else he was
counting on q miracle.
Some two miles from La Roche on IN
uuCultivated plateau deliciously cooled by
ths eastern breeze a miniature lake, al
most entirely hidden by bushes and the
remains OF an old hedge, spread out the
azure mirror Of its limpid waves. Few
people ever went there, for no road passed
near It, and in that undulating country
there were hundred more picturesque
rides.
One warm July morning this mySteFi-
ous corner was discovered by Prebois and
four or i've comrades, who hnd gone for q
ride before luncheon. The heat was op-
preSsiv0. Both the riders and their horses
wnro worn out, covered with dust and
perspiration. At sight OF the lake there
was a shout Of Joy.
What place for bathr' cried one.
Eyes" said another, but who will
man or boy in sight.
"Why, we'll give them a bath too. They
need it more than we do" And, suiting
the action to the word, he leaped to the
ground, unsaddled Falcon, leaving the
bride on, and mounted again bareback
after having taken of his own clothing
and put it, with the saddle, in the shade
Of hazel bush.
His companions had followed his exam
pie, and they all urged their astonished
but ohedient animals into tho water. II
any one had been passing along the shores
OF the lake at that time, he would have
thought he had come upon band Of cen
taurS frolcking in the water. Never was
seen gayer or more novel bath.
However, it was soon time to return to
tho bank and take on, with their uni
forms, less NEUROLOGICAL manners.
Once on the daisy sown greensward,
which was as smooth and soft as Smyrna
rug, Prebois was seized with new idea.
"Who wants to do some vaultingS" he
cried. "Our costume will not be in the
way, and it will be much more fun here
than in the school," and of he went at n
gallop on the fresh grass, leaping to the
ground and vaulting back to the horses
back like veritable circus rider. Spell
bound, his companions watched him.
Suddenly Falcon started into a mad
gallop, and they saw the captain tug at
the reins with all his strength, but in
vain. Then horse and rider disappeared
behind the bushes, flying like the wind in
the direction Of the city.
What can be the matter with himS'
exclaimed one of the officers. Where the
devil is he going in that costume9"
Hes going to the stable" answered
another. IN bet horsefy has got him.
He's in for it, My word, fellows, what an
adventurel Quick, let's get our clothes on
and follow himl'
Alas, yes, there was no doubt that the
captain was ~ tor it, His hunter was
carrying him along at a rate Of 90 miles
an hour in the costume Of a Homeric war
rior. CASTOR was an athlete and had
strong arms. He brought the blood on
Falcons mouth, but the reins snapped
like thread. Then Prebois thought his
last hour had come. Falcon had reached