The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-17

support of her aunt Ca decayed gentle
woman) and herself. Her existence be
comes known to Miss ONeiil-the last rep
resentatiVc OF the O'NellS-the poSSeSSor
of a lage estate and handsome revenue,
who is in search Of a direct hslr; ana
Molly is StraiShtWay summoned to castle
O'NeiH. where she meets her dreaded rel
ative, and makes a favorable impression.
Miss O'Neill is immensely proud CT II II
ancestry, and is devoted to the duties of
her high pos ti0n. Molly accompanies her
on her daily inspection of Kitchens, gar
eens and village, and notes the auto
cratic supervision to which every house
hold on the setate is subjected. She be-
comes a general faVOrite in the district
Mrs. Mackenzie is invited ito the cast
for Christmas, and endeavots to lcacn her
hostess plans concerning Molly, but only
succeeds in grieVouslY miSrepreSenting
her niece. Molly undoes the mich e.,
however, by her Observation-Disclosures She
goes back with her aunt, but is summon
ed TO the castle on the occasion Of Miss
O'Neili's serious illness, and is the means
of cheering her relatives last hours Mr..
Burke had previously made Miss O'Nejll's
will, all being left TO Molly-with certain
provisions against which the old lawyer
in vain protested. After Miss O'Neirs
death, Molly and her aunt take up their
abode at the castle. But one morning
letter arrives from MI Burke saying that
male descendant of the elder Inc has
been found. Hugh ONein turns out to
be delicate. affected young man; he
falls in love with his pretty cousin, but
as neither aunt nor lawyer can persuade
her to look favorablY upon her sutton the
ladies go back to their old life laavi7g
EtsEa in possession. Molly obtains a sit
Ration as companion at the Chateau &c
ia Pep'niere. in Normandy. She frds
herself in a fine castle, falling into ruins
and decides that its owner, NJ. le Baron
Sc Sauvigny, is Geld and forbidding in
the extreme.
CHAPTER XIV.
A VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT"
Before Molly was dressed on the fol-
lowing morning, thcIe came tap at her
door, and, on obtaining the requisite per-
mission. a short, round-faced. middle
aged woman entered the room. bearing
on tray large white cup full Of cof-
fee, aud a buttered roll.
"MaGemoisellc's breawfast," announced
this person, who forthwith introduced
herself as Justine, maid of Nine la
comctesse." and expressed her willing
ness to serve 'madcmOiselie" whenever
Fhe wished it.
When the coffee and bread and butter.
which proved excellent, had been dis
posed IF, Molly came down stairs, won
derlng much when she was to enter OH
her new duties. She provided herself
with some sewing, and installed herself
under 4 tree in the garden, in full view
OF the window from which n. de SSar-
Vfgny had described her on the preceding
day, rightly suppOsing that he would can
her Wnen her services were required.
In due course she did hear the sound Of
rapid steps, ana raising ner eyes, 0cheld
him approaching
My sister is better this morning. he
said, after stiff bow, and few words
of greeting, land would like to see Won
now
Il am quite ready" answered Moijv.
jumping up and hastily collecting her
working materials. But the tall. soua-e.
shculdered figure stood still! i'll front Of
her the face wearing a curious, doubtful.
anxious expression that touched her with
a feeling of composure.
DO YOU want to tell me anything?"
she said lmpulTiyely. her usual instinct
OF helpfulness overcoming the awe with
which this man inspired her; and then
she paused, wondering at her own au-
dacity.
l5llt he was not angry; or the contrary
as he caught the momontary sympathy
in the pretty. blue eyes, q sudden some
thlhg akin 10 gratitude leaped into his
OWL, speedily lost, however, i'll their
customary gloom.
You are very young" he said almost
queru!ously.. Il did not expect you to
be so Young" - -
Molly h1mbly apoIogized for the IN
deniab!e fact, but added that she hoped
she was not teo young to do her duty. T.
My sister IS very weak and suffers
m4ich, said the baron; after a Pause
eall'l il is not always easy to entertain
her. Here he hesitated, gazing 6ubi-
ously at Molly. You VIII require cour-
age and-great patience, Miss Macken-
zie"
Il have plenty of courage" she re-
turned and J don't think I could be
ANYTHING but patient with an invalid
Brave WORDS commented M. de
SauVl2nY; bnt whether he intended To be
sarcastic or not the girl could not dis
a 1ET H.
scrutiny of her face, he turned Sharply
aho led the way to the chateau
Inc countess room was on the first
moor ana looked cut on the park. JUS
tine opened the door on hearing them
approach, but closed it when they had
entered carefully replacing the o0rtiere
TIE loom was almost unendurab,v close
both windows being not only shut, but
pIped around with india rubber, SO as to
exclude even chance breath of air: q
small tire burned in the CRATE though
the morning sunshine was sufficiently
oVefpowering. In an alcove in TIE cor
her stood the bed, curtained round so
Ihat Nine. la comtesse might slumber
Tree from draughtS, while the sofa on
which she actually reposed was surround
ed by screens. A row of medicine battles
stood on the chimney piece and two Or
thffe others and a dessert spoon and
~ "ihe glass were arranged on the small
tabie by her side. Nine. de TneiIles was
d tan. thin woman, evidently considera-
biE older than her brother; her faded
lace had once been handsome. har LARGO
eyes even now possessing a certain plain
tive beauty, but her paid complexion
ana peevish expression counterbalanced
thelf attractiveness. She Wore q loose
ana not part ,uiarly clean, pegnoIr of
grey stuff. but her blond hair. which an
peared unduly abundant, was dressed
W!th some amount OF care, not to saw
elaborateness.
M. de Sauvigny introduced Molly. and
lheh Withdrew behind his sisters couch.
whence he surveyed the pair with furtiye
anxiety
nave never had companion before. -
remarked Mime. de Treilles languidfv in
French; but my brother thinks Won NAV
me?" e''-A OH = =
sinking heart
= am SO bored" sighed the countess.
am spleenee-splcenee. Oh, la. IA. how
bored ! am!'
1t must be very dull lying here all
Gay returned Molly, compassiona tely.
sGch lovely weather. too Do You neyer
manage to get out? 1t would do Won
good
'Mademoiselle Is right. am sure :,
would be good thing" urged a deer
voice from the corner.
w hat dost thou know about If
Raoul?' cried his sister, irritably '"Thor
hast never had a days sickness in 1hy
life / tell thee it kills me to go ont
Inc last time 1 went out, to please thee
l coughed- heavens, how I coughedf Dif
not cough, Justine?"
Certainly, Nine. la comtesse coughed p,
assented Justine, "she coughed ever,
time she thought of It,"