The defender., 1900-01-27

John Walford had already capitula
ted. The praise of his own country b.
foreigner is enough to induce an En-
glishman to agree to anything. The
three walked up to the castleand signed
their names in the visitors book.
1T is a YER charming name" said NJ
Martel, taking the pen with a bow
Nina l wonder what was your 9th
er name before M'sieu Walford was sC
happy as to-"
My maiden name was Roller
Not by chance" demanded NJ Mar
tel, the hand that held the pen shaking
little-'not by chance Mr.. Roller, the
great engineer"
My dear papa is the great engineer ~
"And manager and director in the
firm which has branch office in Boule-
ward des Italiens?"
| Yes"
81 am proud" said NJ. Martel dashing
| off a signature in book with a tri-
umph flourish underneath that occupied
the remainder of the page. Proud to
meet the daughter of so splendid a
man.
he touched up one or two letters of
the signature and looked at it admiring-
ly. AS the three went into the castle to
examine the dungeons, the short, stout
FrenchwOman who had assisted NJ
Martel after his accident came painting
to the gates. She looked at the last
entry in the visitors book, and straight
way laughed so much that she had to
sit down on the wooden chair to re-
cover her breath.
"Que c'est drole" she exclaimed,
wiping her eyes amusedly.
The ingratiating Martel found his re-
ward in an invitation to dinner at the
Grand. He hesitated politely to accept,
but young Mrs. Walford, delighted with
the excellent manners of the young
earnestly that John Walford was bound
to second the motion. Therefore at the
Grand was dinner for three, and after
dinner, while John was smoking his
pipe. NJ. Felix Martel conducted Mrs.
Walford to the reading room, and sat
close to her and talked and talked.
Il suppose" he, said, that in England
you have diversions in the evenings?"
Not always" replied Mrs. Walford.
Sometimes we are rather dull"
THAT must be so hard for you, dear
madam. You, so charming, so spirit
uelle, So
please don't say that. I'm only an
ordinary woman"
Pardon" exclaimed NJ. Martel. firm
ly; you must permit me to repulse that
statement" He lowered his voice. cal
low me to say that have never met in
my whole life someone who has so en-
chanted me-"
1t was wrong of young Mrs. Walford |
and she knew it was wrong, but it was
really very pleasant to hear this. The
great disadvantage in getting married |
is that you can only be admired by one |
person, and he sometimes forgets to re- |
mind you of the fact with sufficient |
frequency.
"Are you sure there is not someone in
Paris" she asked, "who has q
Il wish," said Martel, never, never
to see Paris again" He reached the
inkstand, and took a pen and some
Grand hotel paper. "Shall teach YOU
a new diversion to pass the time? Can
you write a letter full of love for ex-
ample?"
Il have written a good many to
John," said Mrs. Walford, with color in
her face
Happy John! Let us see who is the
most habile Of us in writing Let me
write, for the fun, letter to you. Eh?"
Mrs. Walford sat back in the COM
chair, while the agreeable Mar
el wrote hastily.
"Oh, but that is not what we English
people call love letter" she said. crit
cally, when she had glanced through
he communication which NJ. Martel
landed to her. A few awkward
'hrases amused. I'VE write much
tronger epistles than that, l assure
'ou" S
Us it possible? am so ignorant of
English ways. Show me how YOU an
wer such letter to your lover Write {
NJ. Martel laughed at his own humor) {
0 My Dearest Felix in a way that an
,nglish girl in love would do" G
He handed her the pen and placed
ONE note paper before her. She hesi- +
lted moment, and then scribbled. q
There. Mr.. Martel. That's how We I
hould do it." Il
He took it up quickly.
My Dearest Felix: The time since S
'e last met has seemed like a hundred \
How long to see you again. c
} press your hand, and to hear once n
lore your dear voice. Without you my t.
Eistence is not life; with you it is more O
ian life; it is heaven. p
DO you think sometimes of the hap-
Y hours that we have spent together? n
do not think you can forget them and Fl
am sure that l never shall. Write to Ii
e soon, soon, and tell me once more
lat yOu-but you know. Yours always :,
nd ever NINA" =
This is excellent" said the delighted
renchman. Excellent" -.
Now tear it up, please, and tell me -
lOther." -
II nrpfar IN traa S,,ra II bo eoiJ tT.