Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-07-29

| from them.
The countess, never thinking that It
was the eve Of July Ia, u day which all
Paris celebrates with every variety of
demonstration, thought only Of pistol
shot and robbers. Remembering that
she was alone, she grew frightened and
wished to keep with her the stranger
whom she had already impressively dis
missed. Rene understood the situation
In an instant and determined what
part he would play In the little drama.
Bowling profusely. he made as II to con-
tinue his departure.
Monsieur, did you not hear itY'
Perfectly, madame u pistol shot. "
"Then there are thieves in the neigh
borhood?'
1t is very probable, and now that
think of 1t remember observing lit
tie while ago very villainous looking
fellow prowling about"
II have heard no cry
Perhaps the shot missed"
Are you not risking something In
going out now"
Without doubt, madame But do
not SEQ any other way. You have shown
me clearly that my presence here is in
opportune, and l do hot wish to In
trude.
Really, monsieur, am afraid for
you, and, to be frank, for myself too.
My maid has not yet returned, and II
were not afraid Of troubling you would
ask you to wait until she comes In. "
Rene blessed his lucky star and re-
piled respectfully. 81 am happy to do
you 80 small service"
The hall was lighted brightly, and
they seated themselves In the big chairs.
There was II moments awkward pause,
and then NJ de In Biere told his name
and the countess followed his example,
which put them at their ease. A liter
AIRY man Of great talent and merited
reputation, u thorough man of the
world, Rene was able to Judge Nine
Laispare ut her true value, and the
esteem he felt for her character AZ he
knew it must DO was added TO the pro-
found admiration her beauty awakened
in him.
Graceful and pretty, she combined
with perfect regularity Of feature
eyes the depth of her nature revealed
itself. They talked Of travel, of litera-
ture, Of music, OF painting and found
on all these subjects they possessed
remarkable similarity Of tastes The
situation was II peculiar one and pos
sessed the charm Of Its novelty
Learning that she was n widow, Rene
dared to ask her II, young and pretty
AZ she was, she had never thought Of
marrying again. She responded with
sudden sadness that her marriage had
not made her happy; that her husband
had not treated her with great kind
ness. Her illusions had been no utterly
destroyed that she felt certain tho only
chance Of happiness lay In keeping for
ever hor liberty, full and entire Rene,
under tho spell Of sudden enthu-
siasm, began to plead with ardor n cause
which he almost felt to bo his own He
tried to convince her how unjust she
was in thus condemning beforehand any
true love which might be offered to her
because her first choice had fallen upon
man incapable of approaching his
happiness aud proving himself un.
worthy OF H. lio grew eloquent, AMI
mated, persuasive and ended his plead.
ing 10 full Of warmth and youth by say
ing:
There exists an old Persian legend
which places whatsoever finds "A wom-
ans slipper forever under the influence
of its owner. | ask for nothing better
than to be allowed to fulfill the prophet
ic legend and remain all my life in the
spell Of the dainty slipper found to-
night"
And did tho countess allow herself to
be convincod2 Love and confidence
work miracles. It IL certain that when
Mariotte returned she was not scolded
and her excuses were accepted in full
And later 1t was rumorod that the
chateau near Compiegne had obtained q
master. Translate from the French
for Washington Times.