Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24

than my bauble 1 held her upon my knee.
and I remember that she laughed long be-
fore she learned 10 speak-though she
learned that early, too.
She burst out laughing now. because we
stared at her. 'Baubie. salute," cried she,
and flung all her roses at me. l went
down on my knees to pick them up, and
Fr. Benoit. CHANGING to smile at me. she
turned on him. Thou, too, Tonsure and
cOCksComb together And down he had
TO plump and helped me remake the bunch
When it was complete the DemOiselle
AiEs made US sit, and stood before US,
leaning against the chess table. Seeing FIR.
BeUOit peering behind her to see that she
them all in heap with her little hand
all except the red king, which she held.
and turned around and around under the
thoughtful gaze Of her blue eyes.
Was it thou, Fool. who vast playing
with the Ted2'
No quoth I; twas the holy man
yonder. The innocent whites We're mine
ever She turned 10 Fr. Benoit "Iidst
ever think upon the red king father?r
only wnen | castle" replied the priest,
Wondering at the seriousness of her tone.
or when he is sore pressed" she went
on, slowly. But it's strange how we
choose our color and our king, not know
ing II he be OF stern stuff, to fight we'll
Or Of the kind that covers in a corner.
Was the red king winning. father?'
NO: he was losing cOnfoundedly" |
tering hither l would soon have hung an
other bell in my cap"
She sighed and tucked the red king in
the bosom of her frock. Then her fair lit
ne forehead cleared. Now, attend, both
OF you she commanded. II come on an
affair of-of state. Be serious at once"
w looked as serious as we could, look
ing at her. She smiled back at us Wit
neauty, holiness! What a council we make,
We ought to contain great things"
80 W. would. vert thou downstairs
face at him.
"Monsigneur Motley" demanded she of
me tell me what is the saddest thing in
the world?''
price" l replied
Foolish us everr' chirped the Demoiselle
Alys. The saddest thing in the world is
friendless maiden"
What dost thou know of such?' asked
FIR. BenOit
She sighed and laid the bunch of roses
against her cheek, then held them out and
looked at them. They are faded ALREADY"
she unused aloud. "'Tis the same with
every one gather; let it but lie moment
on my breast. and it is withered. SOM
times think they hate me-"
But II the flowers are not thy friends"
said Fr. Benoit, still art thou not friend
less Forget not thy father and mother
and thy ktnsmen-'
Well. then-I have friendsr' she pouted.
but can never have aught that | desire
I never remember thy failing of thy
wish said FIR. Benoit, quietly
Then thou hast forgot the day / was
nFe years old and the merchant came and
opened his packs and 1 cried for the blue
beads and was not LIT to have them"
Trumpery things" said the priest mot
fitting for a demoisele''
But l did not ask to he born dem
oiselle" cried the DemoiselIe Alys, land
cried for them SOL
We'll. what is it now?" 1 cut in, being
out or practice in silence. More blue
oeads2 OR a puppet dressed in velvet? Or
mayhap it is my bauble; 1t goes equally
well with motley or petticoatw'
Perhaps" she said saucily. ''it is new
fool l would liker'
Having thus vanquished me. she grew,
serious. and looked at us with strange ewes
sott and shining, and shook her head. then
dropped Il.
mott asked. kindly. but she shook her little
dropping head again.
Perhaps l suggested. cit is the advice
OF worldly wisdom thou needsst Come /
Will teach thee retorts TO take all the wind
out Of thy Cousin Isabels sails
Il can make them for myself" she an
swered. then looked up with Frightened
CHEEKS and eyes. "Dost know my bower
woman. Rosalind?" she asked of FIR. Re
mott He bowed assent. She is in love
the foolish wench." This time Il was 7
who nodded. And she wishes to be mar
RED concluded the Demoiselle Alys.
gravely.
SAID Fr. BenOit. Il will read the banns on
Sunday Whom doth she wish to marry?"
Our demOiselle looked at US with STEADY
eyes. The Sieur d'AudIly."
Now this Sleur dAudilly was newly be-