The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-05-30

guess what 1t had been, when q lackey
crossed the lawn and summoned the
chasseur.
Cecil obeyed, passed up the terrace
stairs and stood before his colonel, Civ
Ing the salute. The shade of some aca-
cias still fell across him, while the
party be fronted were all in the glow
OF full Algerian moon and Of the
thousand lamps among the belt of
flowers and trees. Chateauroy spoke
with carelessness as Of man to
dog, turning to his corporal:
Victor, the princess honors you with
the desire to see your toys again.
Spread them OUT T.
The savage authority of his general
speech was softened for sake of his
guests presence; but there was a COW
ert tone in the words that made Ciga-
rette murmur to herself: .s--.<ze- ~
IF he forgets his promise, will for
give himv' @..s,...
Cecil had not forgotten it; neither
had he forgotten the lesson that this
fair aristocrat had read him in the
morning. He saluted his chief again.
set the chess box down upon the ledge
of the marble balustrade and stood
silent, without once glancing at the
fair and naughty face that was more
brilliant still in the African starlight
than it had been in the noon sun of
the chasseurs' chambree. Courtesy
was forbidden him as insult from a
corporal to a nobly born beauty. The
carvings were passed from hand to
hand as the marquis six or eight
guests, listlessly willing to be amused
In the warmth Of the evening after
their dinner, occupied themselves with
the ivory chess armies, cut with a skill
ana a finish worthy a Roman studio.
Praise enough was awarded to the art,
but only one glanced at the artist with
touch of wondering pity, softening
her pride-she who had rejected the
gift of those mimic squadrons.
You were surely sculptor once?"
she asked him, with that graceful dis
tant kindness which she might have
shown some Arab outcast.
Never, madame"
"Indeed! Then who taught Won such
exquisite art?"
"1t cannot claim to be called an art,
madame
She looked at him with an increased
interest. The accent Of his voice told
her that this man, whatever he might
be now, had once been a gentleman.
"Oh, yes; it is perfect Of its kind.
Who was your master in it?''
"A common teacher, madame-neces-
sity."
There was very sweet CLEAN of
compassion in the luster of her dark,
dreaming eyes.
Does necessity often teach so well?"
In the ranks of our army, madame,
think it does; often, indeed, much
better.'
"Victor knows that neither he nor his
men have any right to waste their time
on such trash,'' Chateauroy said care
lessly, "but the truth is they love the
canteen so we'll that they will do any
thing to add enough to their pay to buy
brandy"
She whom he had called the prin-
cess looked with a doubling surprise
at the sculptor Of the white Arab king
she held.
"That man does not carve for bran
dy," she thought.
1T must be a solace to MANY a weary
hour in the barracks to be able to pro-
duce such beautiful trifles as these"
she said aloud. "surely you encourage
such pursuits, colonelY'
mot l." said Chateauroy, with dash
of his camp tone that he could not
withhold. '"There are but two arts or
virtues for a trooper to nv taste
fighting and obedience.''
"You should be in the Russian sery-
ice, NJ. de Chateauroy," said the lady,
with a smile that, slight as it was,
made the marquis eyes fash fire.
Almost l wish had been," he an
sWered her. Men are made to keep
their grades there, and privates who
think themselves fine gentlemen re-
ce17e the lash they merit
"AoW he hates his corporal! thought
mlladi, While she laid aside the white
king once more.
Nay" interposed Chateauroy, recoy-
ering his momentary self abandon
ment; "since you like the bagatelles do
me honor enough to keep them"
"Oh, no; offered your soldier his
own price for them this morning. and
he refused any,"
Chateauroy swung round
"Ah! You dared refuse your bits of
ivory when you were honored by an
offer for them?"
Cecil stood silent His eve met his
chiefs steadily. Chateauroy had seen
that look when his chasseur had beard
ed him in the solitude Of his tent and
demanded back the Pearl Of the Des-
ert.
The princess glanced at both. Then
she stopped her elegant head slightly
to the marquis:
do not blame your corporal unjust
~ through me, pray you. He refused
any price, but he offered them to me
vQrU a0f1117r, 1r;f Is