Omaha daily bee., 1897-11-21

"You appear always to be very ready for q
quarrel, Mr. Dale" said the duke. with a
glance at Cartord. Pray, what's the
dispute?"
"Tll tell your grace the whole matter"
said readily enough, for | had nothing to
blame myself with.
NAY, 1 won't have It told" cried NJ, de
Footelles.
"Its my pleasure to hear it," said the duke
coldly.
well, sir. it was thus" said I, with a
candid air. al protested to this gentleman
that my French was sadly to seek; he was
polite enough to assure me that l spoke IL
well. Upon this l owned to some small
knowledge, and for an example said to him;
Jaime tu aimes, II aime' He received the
remark, sir, with the utmost amablity."
"He could do no less" said the duke with
q smile.
But he would have It that this didn't ex-
haust my treasure of learning. Therefore,
after leaving me for a moment to set straight
a difference that had arisen between his
servants and our host, he returned put away
q leathern case that he had left on the table
concerning which, indeed he seemed more
uneasy than would be counted courteous here
In England, seeing that I had been oil the
while alone in the room with iD and allowed
me to resume my exhibition Of French speak
iog. To humor him and to while away the
hour, during which l was deprived OF the
pleasure of attending your grace"
YES yes, Mr.. Dale. Don't delay in order
to compliment me-" said the duke. smiling
STILL
81 leaned across the table. sir, and made
him a speech that sent him, to all seeming
half way out of his senses, for he sprang
up, seized his case, looked at the fastenings,
saw to the printing OF his pistol. and finally
presumed to exact from me a promise that
l would consult nobody as to the perpleXity
| into which this strange behavior of his had
| flung me. To that l demurred, and hence
I 10 mar wit I
| that your grace should have been trou-
bled
| I'm obliged to you. Mr.. Dale. But what
was this woodworking phrase?"
/ why, sir, just the first that came into
my head. l said to the gentleman-to NJ.
de Fontelles, as l understand him to be
called-I said to him softly and gently, je
| viens, tn viens-"
| The duke seized me by the arm with a
sudden air of excitement. Carford stepped
| forward and stood beside him.
| "Je viens, tn viens-Yes. And any more?'
cried the duke.
Yes, your grace" answered, again
| amazed. II completed what grammarians
| call the singular number by adding, IL
Went; whereupon-but have told you
| I'll vlent?" cried the duke and Carford
| all in a breath.
| "I WENT" l repeated, thinking now that
all the three had run mad. Carford
| screened his mouth with his hand and
|
| nodded and made some answer. Both
| seemed infinitely stirred and interested. M.
de Fontelles had sr,od in sullen silence by
the table, while l told the story OF our quar-
| rel; now his eyes were fixed intently on
| the dukes face
| But why" said l. chat simple phrase
worked such strange agitation in the gentle
| man, your graces wisdom may discover.
| am at a loss
Still Carford whispered. and presently the
| duke said
| Come, gentlemen you've fallen into a
| foolish quarrel where no quarrel need have
| C2me. Pray, be friends again."
NJ. de Fonteles drew himself up stify.
"T asked promise of that gentleman and
| he refused it me- he said.
| And l asked an explanation of that gentle
man and he refused it me- said l. just as
| stifIiy.
well, then, Mr. Dale shall give his
! promise ito me. Will that be agreeable to
you, Mr.. Dale?"
Il am at your grace's commands in all
| things" / answered. bowing.
| And you'll tell nobody of NJ Fontelle's
agitation?"
''If your grace pleases. To say the truth
don't care fig for his fierceness. But the
explanation, sir?"
"Why, to make all level" answered the
duke, smiling and fixing his gaze upon the
Frenchman. IN. de Fonteiles will give his
explanation to me-"
| Il cry agreed, your grace!" said l
Come, let him give it"
ITO me- Mr.. Dale, not to you," smiled the
duke.
What! am I not to hear why he was 81
fierce with me?
You didn't care fig for his fierceness
Mr.. Dale" he reminded me, laughing.
l saw that L was caught, and had the
sense to show no annoyance, although | mus
confess to a very lively curiosity.
| Your grace wishes to be alone with M
| EnntalleS2v readily nd of
entially.
For little while if you'll give us leave,
he answered. but he added to Carford: mo
you needn't move. Carford."
! So l made my bow and left them, no
well pleased, for my brain was on the racl
to discover what might be the secret whicl
nung on that mysterious phrase and which
had so nearly surprised from M. de Fonteles
THE glst of it." said | to myself, as
turned to the kitchen, "lies, if | amnot mis-
taken, in the third member For when
had said Je viens, tu yiens the duke inter
rupted me, crying, ANY more?'"
l had made for the kitchen, since ther,
was no other room open to me, and found i
tenanted by the French servants of NJ. de
Fonteles. Although peace had been mad;
between them and the host, they sat in deeI
detection. The reason was plain to see IL
two empty glasses and an empty bottle tina
stood on the table between them. Kindli
ness, aided, it may be, by another motive
Gentlemen" said l, in French, going VI
to them, you do not drink"
i They rose, bowling, but l took third chni
between them, and motioned them to bt
seated.
1--WE have not the wherewithal, sir" sale
one with wistful smile.
'The thing is mended soon as told"
cried. and calling the host | bade him brini
three bottles. "A man is more at home will
his own bottle" said l.
With the wine came new gayety, and will
gayety flow Of speech. M. de Fontelle
would have admired the luency with whicl
| discoursed with his servants, they telling
me of travelling in their country, describing
the incidents of the road in England.
'There are rogues enough on the way II
both countries, I'll warrant" laughed 'Bu
perhaps you carry nothing of great value an'
laugh at robbers?"
"Our spoil would make n robber a poo
meal sir, but our master is in a diferen
plight"
"Ah, he carries treasurer"
mot in money SIR answered one. Th
other nudged him, as though ito bid hin
hold his tongue.
Come, fll your glasses" cried. and the,
obeyed very readily.
well, men have met their death betweel
here and London often enough before now,