The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-08-25

length. But at last the lesson was
over. and the teacher expressed himself
we'll pleased.
And now" he said, with a smile.
Eve will talk the English again before
you go. Will you tell me something
about yourself mademoiselle? l have
seen you so often, and yet l know so
little. For myself, l am almost re-
cluse. and go about not at all. Tell me.
then, about yourself, your guardian,
your home
Il don't know what to tell you,
monsieur" answered Marjorie.
Call me not monsieur, but Mon
sieur Leon Monsieur Is so formal.
so cold
Monsieur Leon"
That is better. Now answer me. II
you please. You have no father, no
mother"
The girls eyes filled with tears.
mo, monsieur
Monsieur Leon"
'No, Monsieur Leon"
"Ah, that is sad-sad TO be an or
phan, alone in the world! | myself
have no father, but | have a mother
whom l adore. And you live with your
guardian always"
Yes. monsieur-Monsieur Leon He
is my guardian and my foster-father:
and Solomon is my fosterfather, too"
Solomon"
Solomon is our clerk and sexton.
He lives in the manse. He was living
there when the minister found me,
nearly seventeen years ago
The young Frenchman had arisen
and stood facing Marjorie Amman.
"Ah, yes, / have heard" he said.
"And you have dwelt all these years,
mignonne, alone with those two old
men,"
Yes, Monsieur Leon"
1T Is terribe-it is not rigl.t! You.
who are so young and pretty; they,
who are so old and dreary! And you
have never seen the world-never trav-
eled from your native land. Never?
You have lived in a desert, You have
never known what it is to live. But
you are child, and it is not too late.
You will see the world some day, will
You not? You will find some one to
love you, to care for you, and you will
bid adieu to this triste Scotland. once
and forever"
AS he spoke very volubly, he bent
his face close TO hers, smiling eagerly,
while his breath touched her cheek.
She blushed slightly, and dropped her
eyes for moment: then she looked up
quite steadily, and said:
Il should not care to leave my home
Mr.. Lorraine took me to Edinburgh
once, but l soon wearied, and was glad
to come back to Annandale."
Edinburgh" cried Monsieur Leon.
with a contemptuous gesture. "A city
where the sun never shines, and it rains
six days out Of seven. what you call a
Scotch mist You should see my coun-
try, la belle France, and Paris, the
queen of cities Of the world! There
all is light and gay; it Is Paradise on
earth. Would you not like to see Paris,
Mademoislle Marjorie?"
Yes, monsieur, maybe | should" re-
piled Marjorie; but I'm not caring
ting something, though" she added
Mr.. Lorraine told me to give you
this"
So saying, she drew forth q small
ereigns, placed them on the table
Put them back into your purse, II
you please"
But l have not paid you anything,
and owe you for ten lessons"
Never mind that, mademoiselle,"
answered the Frenchman. Some 9TH
er time, IL you insist, but not today. 1t
is reward enough for me to have such
pupil. Take the money and buy
yourself keepsake to remind You Of
me-"
But Marjorie shook her little head
firmly and answered:
please do not ask me, Monsieur
Leon. My guardian would be very
angry, and he sent me the money to
pay you"
The Frenchman shrugged his shout
ders.
We'll, as you please, only 1 would
not have you think that l teach you
for the moneys sake-ah, 10. You
have brought light and sunshine to my
heart in my exile; when you come
forget my sorrows, and when you go
away l am full Of gloom. All, you
smile. but it is true"
Goodbye, now, Monsieur Leon"