Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-03-22
CHAPTER III.
4 Double Warming.

CHAPTER III.
4 Double Warminv
Madame Fleury had evidently some
thing upon her mind, disturbing its
usual elegant composure.
Her bright black eyes followed the
two young girls as they left the room
to make the necessary changes in their
toilet, and then, with a little prepare
tory cough. she motioned Mr.. Give to
one of the seats under the orange
trees.
"There is something 1 intended to
mention to your father, MI. Give, if
he had honored us with his presence
to-day. But-ahem!-that being I'M
possible, feel that owe it to myself,
and-ahem!-the reputation my acade-
my has always held in the highest and
most select circles OF society. to men
ton to you, as your fathers fitting rep
resentative."
Herbert bowed. The madam's pre-
face was somewhat appalling. Had
Fan been found guilty in problems of
propriety? Had she lost her heart or
her diamonds? or run up too large a
bill in ribbons and sugar-plums? The
young mans ideas of feminine difficult
les were rather vague.
.''Your sister," continued the madam,
gradually recovering her usual suavity
of manner, sis. as 1 need not inform
you, Mr.. Give, one Of the loveliest.
frankest and most impulsive of girls.
Buth the very candor and simplicity
which we all find so bewitching in
the young, makes it incumbent upon
friends and guardians, whose judy
ment has been ripened by knowledge
of the world-renders it incumbent on
them, I repeat, to be doubly vigilant
and prudent in all that concerns
ahem!-the welfare of those committed
to our charge. Do you follow me?'
Herbert, with rather a perpleXed
expression of countenance, implied
that he did.
'This being the case," continued the
preceptress. with q gracious smile,
land knowing, well, as do, the high
position which your sister will right
fully assume in society, I have OBJ
served with no little anxiety the choice
she has made of friends; and assure
you, Mr. Give, that the intimacy she
has formed with Miss Wraye has been
entirely without my appreciation. I
have demonstrated with Miss Give
more than once. / have pointed out to
her young ladies of her own standing
in society, with whom she could prop
erly and naturally form ties Of friend
ship; I seriously objected to this visit
to your home; but your sister has been
deaf alike to my advice and remon-
strances I found that I was entirely
powerless to control Che singular in
fatuation for this chosen friend
Herbert's brow had darkened strange
~ during this lengthy address.
"May I ASK" he inquired, briefly, "on
what you ground your objections to
this young lady's intimacy with my Sis
ter? Do you know Of anything preju-
dicial to her as a companion to those
of her own sex and age?"
"She would not be among my pupils,
sir, if did," was the lofty reply. "No;
my objections are grounded on my
knowledge of society, and what it de-
mands. Miss Wraye has no position,
no friends, no influence to elevate her
to an equality with your sister. She
was placed here by a lawyer, who acts
as her guardian, pays her bills prompt
ly, and denies her nothing that young
lady in good society requires; but be-
yond this [ know nothing of her. She
has been here now for more than a
year. during which time she has re-
ceived no letters, seen no friends, and
maintained the singular, ungirlish re-
serve of manner which consider both
unnatural and ungracious in one SO
young. though, in justice to her, l must
add that her remarkable talents and
ladylile department have been beyond
question of criticism
Mr. Gives brow frightened, and he
drew breath of relief. 1t would have
been rather hard for him to have
heard anything against Fans cherished
friend. That cameo-like countenance
was surely above all shadow Of re-
| prOach.
Il understand the responsibility of
| your position, madam" he answered,
politely; ''but l am too much of a
democrat to give your objections the
| weight they may, perhaps, deserve.
| Miss Wraye seems to be Il very charm
| ing young lady, and Fannie is undoubt-
| edly attached to her 1T would be a
! pity, 1 think, to let cold, worldly wis
| dom sever a tie that seems to me the
natural and spontaneous outspringing
of heart to heart. There is something
so very charming in first friendship
1T has all the freshness and fragrance
of spring."
Herbert would have launched into
the metaphorical, had not the cold, ir-
responsive light Of the madam's black
eyes suddenly brought him back to a
matter of fact.
"As YOU please. Mr.. Give" she an.
swered, with her set, society smile.
81 have only done my duty in explain
| ing to you the position the young lady
holds in my academy; and. having
done 80. shall consider myself re-