The Press., 1898-09-15

yours, it will OF course fit you, and will
you allow me to assure myself by the
formality Of trying it on?''
"Your conscience, monsieur, has a
very keen edge, but as you are not salts
fed in seeing me standing here on one
foot 1 suppose I must submit to the
proof you ask for. -
She seated herself in one of the large
antique chairs in the hall and putting
out her little foot watched him as he
gravely fitted the slipper upon it. The
instant it was on the foot was with
drawn and disappeared beneath her
skirt, while Rene de la Briere arose,
somewhat disconnected. Nine. Laispare,
standing on both feet this time, made
him the most gracious and at the same
time the most ironical of bows, and
opening the door wide motioned the
young man out with gesture in which
the grace did not hide the authority.
But at the moment when, decidedly
chagrined and confused, Rene was
about to obey the command loud re-
port made itself heard a little distance
from them.
The countess, never thinking that it
was the eve Of July IA, day which all
Paris celebrates with every variety of
demonstration, thought only of pistol
shot and robbers. Remembering that
she was alone, she grew frightened and
wished to keep with her the stranger
whom she had already impressively dis
missed. Rene understood the situation
in an instant and determined what
part he would play in the little drama.
i'm f11c hn 10
tinue his departure.
Monsieur, did you not hear it?''
Perfectly, madame; a pistol shot,
''Then there are thieves in the neigh
borhood?''
''It is very probable, and now that
think of it I remember observing lit
tie while ago very villainous looking
fellow prowling about. :" ....
II have heard no cry"-
perhaps the shot missed"
Are you not risking something in
going out now?"
without doubt, madame. But do
not see any other way. You have shown
me clearly that my presence here is in
opportune, and I do not wish to in
trude. - ...
Really, monsieur, am afraid for
you, and, to be frank, for myself too.
My maid has not yet returned, and if 1
were not afraid of troubling you would
ask you to wait until she comes in. -
Rene blessed his lucky star and re-
piled respectfully, ct am happy to do
you SO small service
The hall was lighted brightly, and
they seated themselves in the big chairs
There was moments awkward pause,
and then M. de la Biere told his name
and the countess followed his example,
which put them at their ease. A liter
ary man of great talent and merited
reputation, a thorough man of the
world, Rene was able to judge Mime.
Laispare at her true value, and the
esteem he felt for her character as he
knew it must be was added to the pro-
found admiration her beauty awakened
| in him.
Graceful and pretty, she combined
with perfect regularity of feature
mobility of expression, and in her clear
eyes the depth of her nature revealed
itself. They talked of travel, of litera-
ture, Of music, Of painting and found
on all these subjects they possessed a
remarkable similarity of tastes. The
situation was peculiar one and pos
sessed the charm of its novelty.
Learning that she was widow, Rene
dared to ask her if, young and pretty
as she was, she had never thought of
marrying again. She responded with
sudden sadness that her marriage had
not made her happy; that her husband
hoI
ness. Her illusions had been SO utterly
destroyed that she felt certain the only
chance of happiness lay in keeping for
ever her liberty, full and entire. Rene,
under the spell of a sudden enthu-
siasm, began to plead with ardor cause
which he almost felt to be his own. He
tried to convince her how unjust she
was in thus condemning beforehand any
true love which might be offered to her
because her first choice had fallen upon
man incapable of appreciating his
happiness and proving himself un-
worthy of it. He grew eloquent, ami
mated, persuasive and ended his plead
ing SO full of warmth and youth by say
ing:
"There exists an old Persian legend
which places whosoever finds a wom-
ans slipper forever under the influence
of it's owner. ask for nothing better
than to be allowed to fulfill the prophet
ic legend and remain all my life in the
spell of the dainty slipper found to-
night -
And did the countess allow herself to
be convinced? Love and confidence
work miracles. 1t is certain that when
Mariette returned she was not scolded
and her excuses were accepted in full.
And later it was rumored that the
chateau near Compiegne had obtained
master. TRANSLATED from the French
for Washington Times.