The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-23

4
what the fellows will say?'
] was compelled to admit that her face
was almost tiawless, but in alarm / asked
whether she had yet returned to con-
seriousness.
Yes, once" he answered. 1T was that
tact which makes me think she is but
little the worse for her foolish attempt.
wonder what could have induced her to
act like that?'
Some love affair."" 1 suggested. sim
gazing upon her
Has she a lover? Do you think she
has?l he inquired quickly, an intense anx-
ious look upon his face.
nay dear fellow, how should ] know?"
exclaimed laughing. but if we re going
I 20 keep her here we must put her to bed
at once and try and resusc,tate her. If
not the chill may kill her"
"Ah, yes" he cried, quickly. his ewes
aglow. she shall have my room / can
sleep on the couch-anywhere. Wait here
with her while / run down and get Mother
Brlgltte to undress her and give her some
not cognac. and he bounded away down
the stars to find our concierge's wife.
AS | stood, regarding the beautiful face
OF the fair unknown, her eyes slowly OPEN
cd lhey We're large expressive, and of
clear child-like blue. When she saw me
she started perceptibly, gasplng in Eng
ash-
Where is this? Where am -"
You are not well,h 1 FASTENED to as
sure her. ''You-you've had an accident,
and must remain here in our studio until
you are better" l told her my name, and
added "Will you not tell me yours?"
MY namen' she echoed, bankly She
| roised her hand, and the sight of her wet
| dress-sleeve evidently brought back to her
all the sadness and despair of the past
few hours, for she shuddered.
You are English so am IT. I went on.
Shall go 10 your friends and reassure
them of your safety?'
No, she anSwered in a low, cultured
voice, as she gazed around our shabby
room. You are my friend-I feel assured
you are by your face, therefore, | am
content to remain here-if 1 may be per
mitted. But ask me no questions. Call me
| only Rosalie."
"Rosalie," / repeated. "Only Rosalie?"
The effort Of speaking had, however
proved too great, ana a few seconds later
she had lapsed again into Inconsistencies
and remained so while we carried her into
Antoine's barely furnished little room
where old Mother Brigitte removed her wet
| clothes. put her tenderly to bed, and gave
her cognac with hot water.
1t was nearly 2 O'clock before Jean and
Paolo returned, hilarious after a night at
| ball somewhere in the vicinity. They
burst into the studio laughing and singing
as they were wont to do, but suddenly be-
came hushed and interested when breath
ACaSly we lblu tuGIi1 OF our pretty ana TnXS-
| terious guest Sleeping in the room beyond
Both were on tiptoe of excitement, all ca
| gerness to see her, but We're compelled to
| wait until the following morning.
We We're seated together in the studio
| our bowls of coffee before us, when the
| door slowly opened and she entered. With
| one accord we rose to greet her. | glanced
| at Paolo and Jean. and saw they both stood
agape amazed at her matchless beauty
Good morning? she laughed, bowling
gracefully
Il have to thank you all for your kind
| hospitality"
ITO Antoine Martin" exclaimed. point
| ing to him. ITO our comrade Antoine most
of all. 1t was he who-who found you and
brought you here"
| With frankness she held out her slim
white hand to him, thanking him. Their
eyes met. saw how his quailed before her
| calm, steady gaze, and l knew that already
| he adored her.
Her clothes had been dried by Mother
Brigitte, her hair had been brushed and
| dressed with taste and care, to her cheeks
the glow of health had already returned.
and as she took her seat with us and
| daintily slipped. her coffee l. like the rest
| thought l had never before beheld a coun-
! tenance so absolutely perfect, so open, so
| indicative Of goodness and purity.
| The meal was a merry and prolonged
| one. She was given the softest roll, the
| best pat of butter, and her bowl was care
| fully washed and dried by Antoine before
he placed it before her On her part she
was gay and happy. chatting without re-
| straint laughing at our jokes as If she
| had known us for years, and subsequently
| gave us permission to smoke, accepting
| one of my corporals and laughingy join
| ing us. being compelled, however to place
| il aside after the first few whiffs
| Yet she was entirely a mystery Through
| out that long summers day she busted
| herself about our studio, tidylng it up,
| putting things in order, and chatting gaily
| all the time One thing alone caused her
! alarm; she walked round my easel where
l was at work. gazed upon my picture
long and earnestly, then turned away with
! shudder. 1t was too realistic, she de-
clared:, its sight Mortified her.
With one accord we called her Rosalie,
! as she had urged us to do, and ere the
| day was out she had addressed each of us
by our Christian names, Into our dingy.
shabby studio she had come to brighten
! our lives and prevent us by her influence
| from lapsing into utter barbarsm. and it
| Is no eXaggeration 10 say that within those
| few hours she captivated the heart of
each one of us She was, indeed, an en-
| chantress.
DAYS. weeks, months went by. At our
| invitation she remained with us. occupied
| Antoine's room, where she could retire
| and rest secure from intrusion when she
| pleased, lived at our mutual expense. and
| ruled our strange Bohemian household
firmly, IL coquettishy. Her dress had
| been ruined by immersion, therefore we
| compelled her TO purchase two others, one
| for ordinary wear and another for sun
| days and fetes, together with hat, gloves
/ and various other things, all OF which we
paid for out of our own frugal combined
funds. Many a time did all four of us
| deny ourselves cigars tobacco and wine
| in order TO squeeze franc or two to pur-