The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-08-23

wonder how the French folks them
selves can tell. I'm afraid I'll never
learn the French rightly"
Il could never master it myself,
though, after all, maybe, I never fairly
tried; it's a queer kind of tongue, like
the chirping of birds, I'm thinking.
What like is your teacher?"
Monsieur Caussidiere? A handsome
gentleman, with black hair and black
eyes,"
"a young man, Marjorie?"
mot old, but very grave and sad as
if he had had much trouble; and 1
think he has. for he is an exile and
cannot return to his native land"
HAS he not other scholars?" he
asked quietly.
only myself out of our school, I
go to his house for my lesson every
afternoon. And he is very, very kind!
He would scarcely take the fees. He
said-''
But here Marjorie paused and blush
ed, for she suddenly remembered
Caussidiere's words and ardent looks
of admiration.
well, what did he say?''
''He said he was ashamed to take
money for teaching, and then-then
talked about France, and how he longed
to return, and how sad it was to be an
exile. That was all"
Mr.. Lorraine did not question any
further, but seemed plunged in thought.
"By the way, Marjorie, he said, after
pause, you know that your school
fees are paid by Miss Hetherington?
Marjorie nodded.
ct was her wish that you should be
taught French For my own part, l
never thought much of either the Ian
guage or the people, but that may be
my prejudice. Miss Hetherington thinks
that every young lady should learn
French. Curious, the interest she takes
in you!"
There was noise at the front door,
sound of feet in the lobby.
Solomon entered abruptly
"Shes outside" he said. "Will l
bring her in?''
"Who is outside, Solomon, my MANI"
"Wha but Mistress Hetherington,
frae the Castle. The carriage is at the
door, and she's wrangling wi the
driver"
Mr.. Lorraine rose feeb1y from his
chair, while Marjorie nervously put
down her cup and saucer and prepared
to receive the visitor.
''This way, mem!" said Solomon; and
Immediately there entered the room
woman of middle height, with snow
white hair, leaning upon a staff or
Handkerchief.
She had black piercing eyes, q COM
plexion like alabaster, and her front
teeth projected slightly over her under
lip. Though she had the air of an old
woman and walked with a stoop, ner
face had scarcely wrinkle, and her
voice was deep and powerful.
Marjorie sprang up and stood trem-
bling. Without a word, Miss Hether
ington crossed the room and looked
fxedly in the young girls face.
'Weel, Marjorie Anaan?" she said in
strong Scotch accent.
"How-how do you do, Miss Hether
ington?"
CAS- you see-well enough not to
complain. Stand still and let me look
at We! There, you may kiss me if you
like!'
Marjorie did not like, but she bent
forward and touched the lady's frosty
cheek.
did We come doom in the wagon
cite? Nae need to answer. for l ken,
and l ken who came along wi We!
What's this between you and Johnnie
Sutherland"
Had a bomb exploded under her ceet,
Marjorie could not have shown more
CONSERVATION She stammered, and
blushed, and cast an appealing glance
at Mr.. Lorraine.
Flows this, Marjorie?" he said,
gently. "You did not tell me that
Johnnie had come back
.I'n swear she didna," exclaimed
Miss Hetherington, with low, harsh
laugh. "See hoo she bushes! The lad
and she had a tryste in Dumfries, and
came down together
Here Solomon, who stood at the room
door looking on, thought it his duty
to interfere.
And what then? What if Johnnie
Sutherland did convey our Marjorie
hame? There's nae HARM in that, I'm
thinking"
Hold you tongue, Solomon Muckle
backit," said Miss Hetherington, with
n Sharn ran of her crItch upon the