The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-12-20
CHAPTER xI-(Cosr1NuEp).

Al-(CONTINUED).
Tiomane, who was always respectful,
busted herself in arranging some music
or the piano, longing for the moment
when she might say good night to Mad
anne de Sorgnes.
But the latter was not at all sleepy.
and, lighting a fresh cigarette, was evil
IDENTIFY prepared for a long conversation
about this wonderful evening.
And you, my silent darling" she said,
addressing Martha, did you enjoy
your coming out ball, belle debutante? 2"
Martha pretended not to hear her
mothers question, and seemed absorbed
in the work of taking the pearl orna-
ments from her golden hair.
DO you know, ma m%ignonne, you
turned all the heads this evening; yes,
all-old and young" continued the fond
i mother, still smoking her cigarette
gracefully, and looking admiringly at
her daughter. Eyes, Mademoiselle, all
ALI h emphasized the last word
with evident pleasure.
Martha shrugged her shoulders i'm
patiently, but did not reply.
Decidedly, you ought to be called
The Beautiful Mute my darling. Come
n sit beside me. Do you not know
that l want to question you? Yes, 1t
IS only to hear your confession, ma
m1gnonne, chat I am here"
Annoyed, at last, by this strange
silence, Madame de Sorgnes threw aside
her cigarette, rose and took her daugh-
ter's hands in her own, as if to force
her attention.
Martha disengaged herself quickly,
saying in a petulant tone, LET me
alone, mamma"
What is the matter with you, my
child?"asked the fond mother.
Nothing, mamma, I am only weary,
oh! so weary-," and the spoiled child
burst into tears.
Martial" exclaimed the mother, now
really alarmed.
Dear little one" added Made
moiselle,' rushing forward as if to pro-
tect her favorite from some invisible
enemy.and drawing the beautiful
young head to her bosom.
Martha, what does this mean?" muir
INJURED Madame de Sorgnes, bending
n kissing away the tears which
coursed down the lovely face. Tiomane
had stopped in her work of arranging
the music, and stood at the piano, out
Wardly calm, but trembling from head
to foot at the presentiment of coming
sorrow. With a fervent prayer for
help, she nerved herself to meet 1t.
what is the matter, pet? again
pleaded the anxious mother.
Martha disengaged herself from
"Mademoiselle's' protecting arms, and,
standing erect, answered, with indie
scribable violence:
The matter is, mamma, that here, in
my own home, I have been insulted-
most grossly insulted."
~"Insulted, darling!!' interrupted Ma
dame de Sorgnes; 'impossible!'
Yes, mamma, Prince Hassan even
Prince Hassan, my TREASURED! Why,
do you not know that he came here
tonight only to see you. He saw you.
He was enchanted, as every one is.
He told me SO over and over again.
Yes, sweet one" she added, taking
her daughters head in her hands and
kissing the beautiful golden hair, Eyes,
with one little word you can make
Prince Hassan the happiest of men and
wear, Mademoiselle la Duchesse.' as
Guillaume calls you, the closed crown
OF a princess on this lovely head"
Martha, recoiling, answered, IN a
transport of anger bordering on frenzy.
NO, no, mamma, never. The prince
ma lnsulted me-do you understand?
Insulted me for this low born stranger
this intriguer-this perfdious girl"
II! Martial! cried Tiomane. pale
and cold as a statute. DO YOU dare
to speak Of me thus?.
Yes, Of you, my sister. nv sister,, ].
the angry girl replied, with bitter
irony. What an honor for me, Nv
sister, indeed! You are no fool that +
must acknowledge. You prepared vo,,r
triumph most s~killfully.,
Prepared my triumph" echoed TIC.
name, no longer trying to curb her
anger.
Yes, prepared. Do you imagine
that your maneuvers are 80 well
planned that I can not see thronpb
them? You saw the admiration of tbal
prince for me, and, in your ambition.
your jealousy. your malice, you deter.
mined to supplant me. Mamma. n gvo,,
only knew how / have been ins,,itea
this evening! Can you believe 81? Tha
prince. had invited me to waltz. IN her
presence, and she dragged him Off -
the banquet-hall, under the pretense of
needing some refreshments, and kent
him there In ordersto prevent him from
keeping his engagement with rne-in
order to inflict on me the shame Of
being forgotten-yes, forgotten. r.
I-tha4daughter OF the conSul-general ~
France