The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-04-09

his hands with his feet against the wall
Tou-Tou accepted this action as a chal-
lenge, and barked louder than ever.
"Oh!"exclaimed the countess, "aren't
you afraid you will injure yourself?"
For reply the boy walked across the
streeton hishands and stood against the
opposite wall in similar position.
From whence he contemplated the ex-
preston of fear on the countess face
with evident relish.
II like you very much better the other
way up" she called out to him. There
upon he turned cartwheels until he
stood beneath her again.
Il can do that all day." he said; "what
can you do?"
"Pm afraid I can't do anything as ac-
tive as that" answered the countess,
doubtfully. II can only run in the gar
den and romp with Tou-Tou; and even
then if 1 play too hard my governness
chides me. 1t must be glorious thing
to be boy and go about in the won
derful great city with no one to tell
you that you must not Are you never
afraid of getting lost in the big city.
IF ever do get lost only have to
keep going until 1 find myself again."
replied the boy.
II should like to do it," said the count
ess, "oh, so much"
'It's easy enough" replied the boy
just swing down from the wall, I'll
catch you, and you're off,"
The countess shook her head.
'Then there's The river" the boy went
on, in a persuasive tone, "you dive from
the bridge and the water splashes all
over you. The mud feels so nice and
cool as it squeezes up through your
toes. And under the bridge on the cross
beams you can lie all day in the sun and
fish; and all night you can lie there,
too, and watch the stars and go to sleep,
and if you wake you can listen to the
striking of the cathedral clock, and it
will tell you the hour. Will you come 2"
The countess clasped her hands to-
gether with delight.
II wish were boy and could see all
those things you speak of. But 1 am
different. I have a governness, who
teaches me every day SO many, many
things. and tells me always that 1 shall
some day become great lady,"
Pooh, you're only girl, and that is
why you can't come" said the boy, con-
temptuously.
II know it," admitted the countess.
sadly, "tell me more about the big
city,"
Here the conversation was interrupt
ed by the dragon, who swept suddenly
down and lifted the countess from off
the wall.
ITO whom are you talking, Mile. de
Tremoille? To that little ragamuffin?
Go away from here at once, little brat.
You, mademoiselle, should have better
sense than to converse like that with
the canaille who pass in the street."
The countess suffered herself to be
led away without a word, and the last
shesaw of the boy he was walking on his
hands, with the rose in his teeth.
The young countess, Adele de Ire
noble, was in the salon with Nine.
Guardin, formerly her dragon and gov
erness, and now, although still inclined
to be little of dragon, her friend and
companion. There were tears in the
eyes of Mile. de Tremoille as she turned
to the elder woman; but
the tone was firm and decided in which |
she said:
Il refuse to go alone"
Nine. Guardin regarded her a mo-
mcnt from out of her clear gray eyes. |
She was dressed in black, and her man.
ner was stiff, repressed, yet there was
a tremuio of emotion in her voice, as |
she answered: You must, my child;
would not say it if by remaining here
you could do any good; but as it is,
your own. safety demands that you
should CO.,
Mime. Guardin," cried the young
countess, you cannot mean that you
would have me go while my father is
N danger?"
ALAS! yes, do mean it. They have
already arrested women as innocent
sc yourself. 1t was only yesterday that
hey took Mile. de Longueville, and the
lay before Mime. de Grancour. Every
lay that you remain here increases the
isk. At any moment you may be called
'pon to share your fathers danger"
They will find me ready" replied
COUNTESS Adele, drawing herself up;
I shall be proud to be with him."
"Ah, my child, you do not know how
errible it would be. 1t is also for your
ather's sake that counsel you to fly.
would only add to his trouble to hear
hat you, too, had been taken. Itwould
make him more unhappy. You would
OF be together. You would not even
ear of each other. While if you leave
he country he may be able to join you,
hould he be acquitted, or if he should
eoa ma - y