Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-11-11

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INTERNATIONAL.
CHAPTER xxvH.-fCoNTISuED
Presently the object of his search en-
tered. being no other than the fairy
prince he had admired SO much from
the first. Seen closely. she was young
woman Of about hve-and-twenty. with
bold. black eyes. and petulant mouth.
significant Of ill-temper. Directly she
saw him she tossed her head and made
. grimace.
$50 1t is you!" she cried. "I thought
you were dead. and buried"
"And you did not mourn me?" re-
turned Causaidiere. softly. with his
most winning smile. well. have
come to ask you to sup with me tonight
at the Cafe des Trente Etoiles."
Il shall not come! am engaged"
"Nonsense. Seraphine! You will
come"
"of course she will come" cried tho
low comedian. breaking in. my chill
dren, live In amity while you can. and
drink Of the best. for the Germans are
approaching. Papa Corbert commands
you-be merry. my children. while you
may. Seraphine. Caussidiere is king
tonight; you will Join him and drink
confusion to the enemies Of France"
why did you not come before?" de-
manded seraphine. sharply. ut Is
week since have seen you. Were you
nursing the baby at homer"
"Ah. Caussidiere is q model hus-
band" exclaimedMademoisell lleBlanche;
"he rocks the cradle and goes to bed at
ten."
Ladies" said Corbert, with mock So
lemnity. Il conjure you not to Jest en-
such subject. l am a,famlly man my
self. as you are aware. Respect the
altar! Venerate the household! And
since the Germans are approaching"
Bother the Germans" interrupted
Seraphine. Let them come and burn
Paris to the ground. l should not care.
I tell you. Caussidiere. I have an en-
gagement."
Don't believe her!" cried Corbert.
"Seraphine will sup with you. She
loves Brunet's oyster pates too well to
deny you. Think Of 1t. my child! A
little supper for two. with Chambertin
that has Just felt the fire. and cham
pagne."
An hour later Caussidiere and Made
moiselle Seraphine were seated In one
Of the cabinets of the Cafe des Trente
Etoiles amicably discussing their little
supper.
When the meal was done and the
waiter had brought in the coffee, the
pair sat side by side, and Caussidiere's
arm stole round the lady's waist.
Take your arm away" she cried.
laughing. What would Madame Caus.
sidiere say II she saw you?"
Caussidiere's face darkened.
''Never mind her." he returned.
"Ah. but do mind! You are bad
man, and should be at home with your
wife. Tell me. Caussidiere." she con-
tinued, watching him keenly, does she
know how you pass the timer
"She neither knows nor heeds." re-
piled Caussidiere. "She is a child, and
stupid, and does not concern herself
with what she does not understand"
Seraphine's manner changed. The
smile passed from her face, and the cor
ners of her petulant mouth came down.
Frowning, she lighted cigarette, and,
leaning back, watched the thin blue
wreaths Of smoke as they curled up
toward the ceiling.
What are you thinking Oft" asked
Caussidiere. tenderly.
II am thinking"
"Yes."
"That you are incorrigible, and no.
to be trusted; you have given this por-
son your name. and l believe she is
your wife after all; and II that Is SO,
what will become of your promises to
me? am fool. believe. to waste
my time on such man."
"Seraphine!"
"Is she your wife, or is she not?"
"She is not, my ANGEL
Then you are free! Answer me
truly; no falsehoods, II you please"
II will tell you the simple truth"
replied Caussidiere, sinking his voice
and nervously glancing toward the
door. ''In one sense. look you, 1 am
married; in another, am not married
at ALL"
what nonsense you talk! Do you
.hink am insane?"
II think you are an angel"
"Pshaw! Take your arm away"
"Listen to me, Seraphine. The affair
is very simple, as l will show you"
"Bien! Go on!"
"In moment of impulse, for reasons
which l need not explain. married her
of whom you speak, according to the
English law. 1t was foolish match,
grant you, and l have often repented
1t from the moment when I met you."
"Apres?" murmured Seraphine, with
contemptuous shrug of her little
shoulders.
"Apres? Well. the affair is clear
enough. 1 am French citizen, my
Seraphine!"
He looked at her smilingly, with an
expression of wicked meaning. She
returned the look, laughing petulant-
ly.
what of that?" she asked.
"Do you not perceive? So long as
remain in my mother country. where
no ceremony has taken place, this per-