Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-22

thy an helress as Jeanne Kergrist, for
besides her fathers possessions near
Gulngamp she would inherit, in right
OF her mother, the rich and extensive
landhclding of Longuedec. At R0l
lands last visit, Madame Kergrist had
told him in confidence that since the
counts death Jeanne had become a
ward of King Francis; the Countess ad
ded to this the sad tidings that she
knew she had but few years to live
ROLAND looked at the grey castle
with strange discomfort. He was de-
pressed as we'll as discontented; it was
a bitter disappointment to learn that his
spoilt little favCrite was destined to
belong to anyone but himself. He had
been Jeanne's self-elected tutor in
hawking and other outdoor sports he
had taught her to ride, and had en-
couraged her in all sorts of daring
feats; he had also helped to form her
mind by reading aloud to her and her
mother. when he could find time. in the
long winter evenings. Once, during the
chaplain's illness, he had taught the
girl some Latin. He had quilted Long
uedec soon after the Counts death; but
Coetfrec was within easy distance, SO
that his friendship for Jeanne and her
mother had not slackened
He turned again impulsively to the
girl. who still sat on the grass looking
at him. her slender fingers clasped
round her knees
why was l not told about this mar
riage? You belong to me, Jeanne.
Have not | had hand in the making
of yOu?-not your flesh and bones
but I have a large part in you Jeanne,
| have helped to fashion your tastes
and habits; you must always be my
bright little pupil. 1t is hard to give
you up"
With saucy glance from under her
upward-curving lashes, she blew him a
kiss; then, gathering her masses of
straying hair, she deity twisted up the
long white Golf that lay on the grass
beside her. She laughed as she sprang
up and measured her height against his
arm.
mot so little, my friend; see, my
head nearly reaches your shoulder.
I'll wager you could not carry me up
the castle stairs to-day as quickly as
you did last year, when you pulled me
out CT the river All. how good you
We're, dear Roland" She lovingly pat
ted his arm. Eyes. you ought to have
been told about this before now. Tell
me. how soon do you depart from Coet-
free "
In seven days. I have to halt at
Fougeres, where orders will perhaps
meet me; in that case l shall go to
Lyons, and shall not visit Amboise be-
fore | leave France"
Jeanne shock her head at him.
"Ah, no: you must go to AmboiSe:
you could not forget the pleasure of
seeing Madame de Chateaubriand and
it will be unkind to disapDoint me. You
are so observant. you will describe to
me her beauty and her dress: and-and
YOU will notice whether her eyes are
like mine. Gillonre says they are the
same color"
She hung her head and blushed at
her own vanity. for she knew that
Madame de Chateaubriand was consid-
cred the beauty of the Court
ROLAND was silent: he stared hard
at the pigeon-cote: and then he finger
ed the belt of his doublet. At last he
turned to Jeanne.
Dear child. keep YOUR love for your
mother and the frienfs who care for it;
YOU waste it on Madame de Chateau
brand; she is a fair LADY. but -'
He stopped; presently he added: "She
does not deserve your love"
Jeanne's anger made her pale.
"Out upon your malice-to speak i'll
Of so sweet a lady, File. it is mean
Of you, ROLAND! You are as hard as
Gillonne; but then, she is a woman.
forced to live within castle walls, which
nourish mean fancies," The colour
few back to her cheeks as she cried
cut: "a man, who goes out and in as
he pleases, and sees camps and cities
and palaces, ought not to have carping
thoughts"
She had frowned a line in her smooth
white forehead.
We'll done, Jeanne! Bravely spok-
en-" He laughed then he took both
her hands, and drawing her close to
him. in spite of her struggle to be free.
he bent down and kissed her forehead
Farewell, my little preacher; I will
mediate on that text till our next meet
ing, for l shall come once again. to bid
adieu to the Countess, and to YOU also
pretty petulance. l have you a text in
return:
Life may be dulled, between stone
walls to bide,
But it is safe; dangers undreamed of
Turk outside"
But Jeanne was still angry. AS soon
as she could free her hands she darted
through the open wicket-gate, and then
across the court to the entrance door
Of the castle, the only entrance to the
inhabited part of the building. 1t was
protected by a drawbrdgo over the in
ner moat, portcullis, and all manner
Of defences. The only separate an
trance was to the great square donion
tower behind. This door led into the
outer wall of the castle, cornered by four
round towers.
Jeanne turned sharply to the left. and
then hurried up a narrow stairway that
circled round a stone newell to the ton
Of one of the towers; Sits lighted the
staircase, but it smelt as musty as
granary.
Jeanne passed by several doors in =
long, gloomy passage She paused AT
the end, raised the heavy latch of
door in the further tower, and entered
small round chamber, with a deplv
recessed window that looked down on
the bright river beyond the outer walls.
Sunshine streamed in and fell in a
broad mass on the floor, but it did not
reach Jeanne's little bed in one corner
A slab of stone fixed into the wall sun
ported a coarse earthenware bowl and
a pitcher; two wooden stools, PRAYER
desk, above which hung a cruicifix. a