The Washington times., 1902-08-31

hoh'disHe essays, III Ten Noiuiht9
Thomson's poems, and Chesterfeld's let
ters. in English: the life OF Petrarch
three volumes of Montesquieus works
and Bible. which found greatly Il
my taste. 1t was a wide and catholic
taste.
De Chaumont spent nearly all that au
tumn and winter in Castorland, wher'
he was building his new manor anC
founding his settlement called lie Ray
vile. As soon as / became a member
of his household his patriarchial Lind
ness was extended to me. though he re-
garded me simply as an ambitious half
breed.
The strong place which he had built
for his first holding in the wilderness
thus grew into a cloistered school for
me. It has vanished from the spot whore
it stood, but l shall forever see it be-
tween lake and forest
Annabel de Chaumont openly hated the
isolation of the place. and was happy
only when she could fill it with guests.
| But Nine. de Ferrier evidently loved 1t,
remaining there with Paul and Ernest
| inc. Sometimes l did not see her for
days together. But Mile. de Chaumont,
before her departure to her Baltimore
convent for the winter, amused herself
with my education. She brought me an
old book OF etiquette in which young
gentlemen were admonished not to lick
their fingers or crack bones with their
teeth at table. Nobody else being at
hand, she befooled with DR.. Csntry and
me, and / saw for the first time, with
surprise. an old mans infatuation with
a pcppet.
1t was this foolishness of her brother
which Miss Chantry could net forgive
De Chaumont's daughter. She was in
cessant in her condemnation, yet unmis-
takably fond In her English way of the
creature she condemned. Annabel loved
to drag my poor master in fiowery
chains before his relative. She would
make wreaths of crimson leaves for his
bald head. and exhibit him grinnlng like
a weak-eyed Bacchus. Once he sat dot
ing beside her at twilight on bench
of the wide gallery while his sister,
nearby, kept guard over their talk.
passed them. coming back from my
tramp, with a glowing branch in my
hand. For having set my teeth in the
scarlet tart udder of sumach. ali
frosted with delicate network, could
not resist bringing away some of it's
color.
Did you get that for me?" called
Annabel. 1 mounted the steps to give
1t to her. and she said, Thank you, La
zarre Williams. Every day you learn
some pretty new trick. DR.. Chantry
has not brought me anything from the
woods in long while
DR.. Chantry stirred his gouty feet
and looked hopelessly out at the land
scape.
sit here by your dearest Annabet''
said Mile, de Chaumont.
Her governess breathed the usual sigh
OF disgust.
| sat by my dearest Annabel, anxious
to light my candle and open my books.
She shook the frizzes around her cheeks
and buried her hands under the scarlet
branch in her lap.
DO you know. Lazarre Williams, I
have to leave your
| said | was sorry to hear it.
Yes, have TO go back to my convent,
and drag poor Miss Chantry with me.
though she is a hereto and hates the
forms of our religion. But she has
20 submit, and so do 1, because my
father will have nobody but an English
governess."
''Mademoiselle." spoke Miss Chantry.
81 would suggest that you sit on a chair
by yourself"
What, on one of those little crowded
chairs?' said Annabel.
She reached out her sly hand for mine
and drew it under cover of the sumach
branch
Il have been thinking about your
rank great deal. Lazarre Williams,
and wondering what it is
IF you thought more about your own
it would be better" said Miss Chantry.
We are Americans here" said Anna
bel "All are equal. and some are free.
l am only equal. Must your dearest
Annabel obey you about the chair, Miss
Chantry?"
81 said would suggest that you sit
on a chair by yourself"
Il will. dear. You know l always fol-
low your suggestions"
felt the hand that held mine tighten
it's grip in despairing squeeze. Anna !
bel suddenly raised the branch high
above her head with both arms, and dis
played Doctor Chantry's hand and mine
clasped tenderly in her lap. She laugh
ed until even Miss Chantry was infect
ed, and the doctor Uttered and wiped his
eyes.
Watch your brother, Miss Chantry-
don't watch me! You thought he was
squeezing my hand-and he thought so
too, Lazarre Williams is just out of
the woods and doesn't know any better. |
But Doctor Chantry-he is older than
my father!"
I'VE wished to Oblige you, mademoi |
selle." l said. But the poor English
gentleman Uttered on in helpless admi- |
ration. He told me privately-'I never
saw another girl like her. So full OF
spirits. and so frank
Doctor Chantry did not wear his dis
figuring horn spectacles when Annabel
was near. He wrote a great deal of