, 1898-07-07

port made itself h:.Ld~a little distance
from them.
The countess, never thinking that it
was the v of July Il, a day which all
Paris celebrates with every variety of
demonstration, thought only of a pistol
hot 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.
Bowling p%rofusely, he made as if to con-
tinue his departure.
monsieur, did you not hear it,"
Perfectly, madame; a pistol shot"
"Then there are thieves in the neigh.
borhood?"
ut is very probable, and now that |
think of it l remember observing a lit
tie while ago n very villainous looking
fellow providing about"
II have heard no cry
perhaps the shot missed"
Are you not risking something in
going out now?"
without doubt, madame. But l do
mo- see any other way. You have shown
me clearly that my presence here is in
opportune, and 1 do not wish to in.
trude."
Really, monsieur, I am afraid for
you, and, to be frank, for myself too.
My maid has not yet returned, and if l
were not afraid of troubling you l would
ask you to wait until she comes in"
Rene blessed his lucky star and re-
piled respectfully, II am happy to do
you so small a service"
The hall was lighted brightly, and
they seated themselves in the big chairs.
There was a moments awkward pause,
and then NJ. dc Ia Biere told his name
and the countess followed his example,
which put them at their ease. A liter
airy man of great talent and merited
reputation, a thorough man of the
world, Rene was able to judge Nine.
Laispare at her true value, and the
esteem he felt for her character as he
knew it must DO was added to the pro-
found admiration her beauty awakened
in him.
Graceful and pretty, she combined
with. perfect regularity of feature a
mobility Of expression, and in her clem
eyes the depth of her nature revealed
itself. They talked Of travel, of litera-
ture, of music, Of painting and found
OH all these subjects they possessed a
remarkable similarity of tastes. The
situation vas 4 peculiar one and pos.
sessed the charm of its novelty. o.
Learning that she was a 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
had not treated her with great kind
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 tho spell of a sudden enthu-
siasm, began to plead with ardor a cause
tried to convince her how unjust she
was in thus c~ondemning beforehand any
true love which might be offered to hel
because her first choice had fallen upon
n man incapable of approaching his
happiness and proving himself UNI
worthy of it. He grew eloquent, ami.
mated, persuasive ind ended his plead
ing SO full of warmth and youth by say
ing:
"There exists an old Persian legend
which places whatsoever finds u wom-
ans slipper forever under the influence
of its owner. l 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 1 found to.
night"
And did the countess allow herself tc
be convinced? Love and confidence
work miracles. 1t is certain that when
Marietta returned she was not scolded
and her excuses We're accepted in full.
And later it WAS rumorcd that the
chateau near Compicgne had obtained "
master. -Translatcd from the French
for Washington Times.