The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-25

Max took from his pocket a French
gold piece. "Look here" he said,
would you mind not mentioning my
visit at all? I'll go back to New York
and not see Mr.. Corbins. I shouldn't
like to spend my life with such
woman as you describe"
Don't be in too great hurry"
she said. IF You are you may make
mlstakes,as the author Of 'Outre- Mer'
did,"
II might have expected that!" cried
Max. 'You know Bourget, then?
What q country! And to think I'm
not likely ever to see you again!'
'Why not?" Yon can see me to-
morrow if you find me interesting"
He paused a moment, not sure
whether some other adjective might
not be more expressive, but he could
think of nothing better than every
Interestingly" Then he looked straight
into the honest, clear eyes that met
his and, leaving the money on the
table, went away.
His curiosity had been aroused, he
had been amused, Interested; more
than this, charmed. She was very
handsome, Of this there was no ques-
ton; figure, eyes, features, expression,
all were good, and she was remark
ably intelligent. Still, she was but
cook after all, who wore white apron
and beat eggs like any other cook.
Next day he had not to invent even
the mildest of stratagems to carry out
his purpose. For reasons Of her own
Dorothy made things easy for him,
and, thanks to an exciting baseball
match in the neighborhood, he found
the house as empty as the day before.
"Well, you've come for the answer
to your card?" she said. ''Here it is.
Miss Corbins wrote it before she had
to go out. You really are unfortu-
nate about her. But she has invited
you to dinner tomorrow"
He interrupted: Gust now I am
more interested in something else.
You have read Bourget, I know. Do
you remember what he says about girls
in America-Imean girls who-haven't
muchfsmoney and who are so anxious
to be we'll educated that, to go on
with their studies, they hire them
selves out in the holidays as servants?
That, at any rate, was true, I sup
pose?"
ooh, yes," she answered; there
was a girl here once who read Virgil
and Xenophon, housemaid; but she
had to go; she was really too fond of
| books"
''Madamoiselle," said Max, faltering-
81 am sure you are one of those ill.,
teresting girls"
"You are paying me compliment
I don't Deserve" she said, presently.
81 shall always be what I am now.
And don't you Think" she went on,
with charming smile, "that good
cook has her valued"
Then Dorothy turned to the table
and went on with her jelly making.
She tried to pull the cork from bottle,
and the vicomte took it from her and
drew it.
"This not the sort of work you
were intended for, my poor child" he
said. "With your mental gifts you
ought to do something more suitable. ."
But Dorothy only smiled.
Then she said ~ presume you
will accept Miss Corbins' invitation to
dinner?"
eff LIDO, what good will it Go for
either you or me? I shall not so much
as see you"
"Only come" she said; "you will
see me, promise YOU"
An hour or so later Miss Corbins
received the Vicomte de Resal's for
NAL acceptance of her invitation.
Before going to dinner the next
day Max made all his preparations for
leaving Hartford on the midnight
train. When he reached the house
the haxen-haired Nova Scotian let him
in aud conducted him through large
folding doors to the lair of the 'mon-
ster."
Apparently the room was empty,
and Max thought he was too early.
Just then, through half-glazed door,
he caught sight Of soft puffs of tobacco
smoke and heard the tones of mascu-
line voices.
Corbins received him with the warm
coydiality of an American, introduced
him to the minister and then said:
II ought to have been in there to
receive you, but my daughter was, at
all events. You know her / think?"
"Miss Corbins is not in the drawing
room," said Max.
''Is she not? On, then, there is
some more bother or other in the
kitchen. All, sir! dinners come into
the world ready made in France; but
here! It was just by the nearest
shave my daughter hadn't to cook it
again tonight herself"
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