The record-union., 1898-01-30
Z, WAS tingline with anger

park. | was tingling with anger A
dozen times / was on the point OF
breaking out, but Antoinette hung on
my arm and made SO many supplicat-
ing little faces and she did look so pref
ty and yet so ridiculous under the trees
in the garish sunshine, with her dia-
monds and rubies blazing about her,
that l was appeased in spite of my
self.
We entered the greenhouse. 1t was
trim and beautiful. My camelliaS had
been treated with the utmost care.
Well" said the Colonel, triumphant
ly. you see we are not all vandals. Now
/ shall leave you. You must have fam
lily matters to chat about. l hope you
will do us the pleasure to dine with
us"
He invited me to dine in my own
house, but | could not voice a word in
reply. He left me. however which was
all | desired. l was alone with my An
toinette, and she, without awaiting my
questions, as soon as the Colonel was
gone, said:
.'Ah, sir, did you notice how he ogled
me as he went away? 1t is horrible,
sir: it is horrible. This Prussian is in
love with me. You must not scold me.
You should pity and thank me. / have
devoted myself to saving your house.
When this Colonel arrived on Decem-
Der 18th he flew into a violent rage On
learning that the people of the house
had fled. 'Ah,' cried he, so they flee
when we come. Do they take us for
barbarians? Very well, then, l shall
act so. | shall stable my horses in the
drawing-room.' Then, sir, as the Colo
rel had not yet seen me, / ran up stairs.
put on one of madame'S gowns, and
descending, / told the Colonel that l
was your niece, the Baroness De Bar
neville but l think it's no harm. II
seems that / have not acted it too
awkwardly, as for more than month
now have led this Colonel by the nose,
and l am too good a Frenchwoman to
let him touch even the tips of my fin
gers. Moreover. / have made all his
dragons and hussars march as by a
magic wand l have saved your silver
ware, your horses. your carriage and
your camellias. AS to madame's dia-
i.ionds, / wear them all upon me, not
because / wish to, but because they
are safer upon me than in the drawers.
/ do not know much about the Bava-
rians, but the Prussians are not
worth much in my opinion where dia-
monds are in drawers. But now, sir,
if you will do me the favor, you Will
leave at once, because in affairs of this
kind men are worthless. / was obliged
to tread on your foot several times dur
ing breakfast in order to prevent you
from exploding, and it is not proper
for a lady's maid to be pressing her
masters foot under the table. l will
get you a good Prussian passport and
you shall carry away all of madame's
diamonds. / shall put them in little
casket and Pierre can drive you away
in the break As for me, l shall re-
main and keep good watch over the
house. Beside. you see. it amuses me
to make fools of these Prussians and
make them believe that / am a great
lady"
| was much moved when Antoinette
had ceased speaking. You are GOOD
girl. Antoinette." said I, "a good girl,
and a clever girl l want to ask only
one thing. and then 1 shall go.
What is that, sir?''
THE permission to kiss you
AS niece or as lady's maid?
AS lady's maid. Antoinette.
Very WE'LL SIR
1 gave Antoinette a good hug and
resonant smack. Put the diamonds
in the little casket. Antoinette, l said;
but do not put that bracelet in the lit
tie casket Keep it for yourself
Thank you, sir. Wait for me here,