Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-03-13

soon returned in a worse humor, for
the compartments were all filed. When
the train started, the disgruntled bach
elor threw open the window to let in
the fresh March air. But the pretty
woman in gray, in her low, sweet Eng
lish voice, begged monsieur to close it,
as she feared the air was too strong
for her little boy, and De Verneuil,
with the polteness of true chevalier,
complied with her request.
No sooner however, had he done so
than the Englishman, who sat at the
opposite end. opened the window near
him. The two women looked implor-
ingly ut their countryman, who pre-
tended not to see them. De Verneuil,
more to annoy the travelling Brlton
than to be agreeable to the ladies', de-
iiberately arose and closed it. The
Englishman Immediately opened it,
and De Nerneuil started again to
shut 1t, saying: please remember, sir,
that we are not in an English camp
in South Africa, but in France, where
courtesy is shown to women and chill
dren. Madame fears the air for her
sick child. so hope you will allow the
window to remain closed.'
The little speech produced its effect,
though the gentleman from across the
channel did not reply, but contented
himself with opening very wide his
eyes in amaZement that n Frenchman
should presume to give an Englishman
n lesson in civility. The ladies of course
were deeply grateful and duly express
ed their thanks, and NJ. de Verneuil re-
turned to his seat, experiencing de-
lightful sensation which he rarely felt
the pleasure of having rendered
service to others-and as he resumed
his seat in the corner he began to study
the child, who during all the commo-
ton had remained quietly sleeping.
The study fascinated him, and he fan
cied he had never before seen a boy
quite so beautiful; the slim. patriclan
nose and mass of yellow hair resem-
bled the fair young mother, who from
time to time bent over him with an in
terested expression of suffering on her
pure, sweet face, as the baby chest was
shaken by dry cough, which even in
sleep did not desert him. De Verneuil
felt that he was growing desperately
interested in the boy, and as these
thoughts fitted through his mind the
child tossed one of his Roman blankets
on the floor, when he rushed forward
picked it up and tucked it around him.
He was amazed at his own tenderness
and began to wonder where it would
eventually lead. The ladies again ex-
pressed their appreciation in that soft,
sweet English voice so much admired
on the continent.
At Dijon De Verueuil left the com
partment, and when he returned he
brought with him a large box of bon
bons which. with the mothers permis
sion, he offered to the child. The candy
delighted the little fellow; he grew
animated and the color came again
into his pale, emaciated little cheeks
as he smiled with pleasure and fixed
his great blue eyes on Edmond de Ver-
neuil with that profound depth of ex-
preston which children's eyes alone
possess and which seems to hide a
world of thought. The bonbons had
opened the way for conversation be-
tween NJ. de Verneuil and the ladies'
Naturally the child's health became the
absorbing topic, and the interested
bachelor learned that madame had lost
her husband three years before and
that some weeks previous to their jour
ncy to France little Arthur had had a
severe attack of bronchitis, which up
to date had defed the assiduous nurs-
ing of his mamma and grandmother.
Therefore he had been ordered by his
English doctor to spend the winter at
Nice
AT Nice!' exclaimed De Verneuil,
amazed to find the pleasure which the
coincidence gave him. why, | am
going there myself" he said. Just then
the train drew up in the Lyons depot.
De Nerneuil alighted and soon returned
laden with picture books for his little
chance acquaintance. Arthur was de-
lighted with the colored prints and after
looking al them for some time sudden
ly threw his books on the floor and,
jumping on De YerneuirS lap, put his
slender little arms around his neck
and kissed him.
Monsieur is good" he whispered,
'and l love monsieur very much and
want him to come and stay at the villa
where we are going"
This spontaneous outburst of affec-
ton touched a strange chord in the
bachelors egotistical nature. "The
boy really loves me-" he said to him
self, and so, instead of going to little
hotel, as he usually did, he stopped at
the same pretty villa as the Barring
tons, and every day the handsome
Partisan and the pretty little English
boy, with his blond curls flying in the
breeze, spent hours together on the
warm, sunny beach, and the bachelor
was obliged to acknowledge, in spite of
his prcjudices that he had never be-
fore found Nice quite so pleasant.
Though he had not visited the casino,
the theatep or any places of amuse-
ment the days and weeks had flown
l,v nlpn gontIx- and o1tDoSt irupnrnoptib1v