Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-08-23

he seem wealthy Was he triste or
only grave and distingue?"
"Perhaps he was devout Catholic"
said Franklin musingly, "and felt that
1t was beautiful work Of spiritual
mercy to have masses said for the gull
lotined. They can't have too many
prayers offered for them. Coralie's
idea was not a bad one either"
"Well, it happened that about a
month after this some other poor devil
had his head chopped off at La Ro-
huette. 1t was a good year for muir
ders, and The Widow buried her wick
ed tooth in many a neck, That after
noon Coralie could hardly keep quiet
| enough to pose. l saw she was fer
menting with some news. AS soon as
/ was through she said with much ami
| nation. Il have seen him, and he Is a
lovely, perfect gentleman. much hand
somer than you said
"'Who is? What are you talking
aboutY
"'The dear kind man who gets the
masses said for the guillotined.' she
replied airily.
"'Where did you see him, you witch? :?
l exclaimed in some surprise.
"Just where you did. I thought
over what you told me. 1t was evident
that be had a devotion to the souls in
purgatory and for men who were gull
lotined. So l said. "He may go to the
executed" heard there was to be one
today. and / went to the church. He
came and did Just as you said he did
before l saw him, spoke to him, and
am going to dine with him tomorrow
''She smiled and hoped about like a
sparrow In her excitement and salts
faction. He is very grave. but he has
and beautiful
Where are you going to dine with
him, and how came he to ask your
"'Oh, l can't tell-probably at some
quiet place. He Is reserved. Perhaps
he is married man and has family
so dignified and discreet You feel you
can trust him.
"'very discreet, and very reserved
said l. so this Is my fine gentleman
with the zeal for souls! He asks
pretty girl to dine with him the first
time he sees her.
why notY inquired Coralie de-
murely. That is what pretty girls are
for
"'Do you still think he is an English
milordY
mo. He Is not English. He is too
polite. brought him to the dinner
point she continued, smiling saucily.
1 knew 1t was he the moment he came.
Monsieur had described him so beauti-
fully. So ! slipped out when he was
leaving the sacristy. like retired colo
mel, so neat in his mourning. When he
timidly and said: Monsieur must have
heart for goodness since he is at
church so early. Will you not assist
poor girl?" When he wanted to know
what my circumstances were, replied
that 1t was a long story and that had
to go. IL could only meet him again!
We could perhaps dine together some
him. He hesitated a moment, looking
at me with his clear eyes. I blushed-
oui, vraiment!-and then he said he
would meet me tomorrow, and we
would go to quiet cafe and dine.
"Only for your sake as well as mine,"
he added In a fatherly way, "you must
let no one know this. There are rea-
recognized" So shall see him this
evening" concluded Coralie, with
pert, self satisfied air. L shall try to
find out who he is.' she added artlessly.
But II will be nice TO dine with him.
he is so soothing and such a gentle
man
"'Well, how will Auguste like this,
ambitious youth employed at the thea
ter who hoped to marry Coralie some
day when they had saved a stocking
ful. He was fiery young man. with
dash Of Othello about him.
"'Auguste need know nothing about
it. she answered sharply, with pout.
We are not married yet, and there are
as good fish In the sea as NJ. Auguste
Gautier. I should like to see him OBJ
ject to my dining with gentleman old
enough to be my father. and so proper
and spirituel You know that you are
hoping that may find out who this
mysterious stranger Is. He Is wealthy
and may buy one of your picturesque
with me in it. she added, executing a
pirouette and throwing me a kiss mock
ingly.
"The wealthy part Of 1t was an in
vention Of Coralie's frivolous brain.
saw sbe was captivated by the man
In black. Whether she thought she
could make conquest do not know.
but I fancy she believed the frappe,
militarylike stranger might be worked
for dinners, theaters, excursions and
trinkets. At all events, she was old
enough to look out for herself, and II
she couldn't handle Auguste / knew /
couldn't. Besides, admit that was
curious to know something more about
the man. and IL Coralie wheedled any
thing out Of him | was sure to get 1t.
l was her confidant for all sorts of