The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-20
WANDERING.
VII.


value Of money, though it has always been
my fault to give it little consideration.
Experience taught me that poverty goes
afoot and sleeps with strange bed-felloWs.
But never minded going afoot or shaf-
ing the straw with cattle. However, my
secretary more than once took high
hand with me because he bore the bag;
and did mind debt chasing my heels like
q rising tide.
Our Iroquois had their cottages in st.
Regis and their hunting cabins on Lake
George. They went to church when not
his dues, labored easily, and cared moth
ing for boarding. But every step of my
new life called for coin.
AS look back on that hour the domin-
ating thought rises clearly.
To see men admitting that you are what
you believe yourself to be, Is one Of
the triumphs Of existence. The jewel-case
stamped identification upon me. I felt
like one who had communicated
with the past and received a
benediction. There was special pro-
vision in the way 1t came to me:
for man loves to believe that God
watches over and mothers him.
Forgetting-if I had ever heard-how
the ancients dreaded the powers above
when they had been too fortunate, went
with the marquis in high spirits to the
Rue Ste. Croix. There were pots Of in
cense sending little waivers Of smoke
through the rooms, and the people might
have peopled dream. The men were in
deed all smooth and trim; but the women
had given rein to their fanc1es.
Our hostess was a fair and gracious
woman, of Greek ancestry, Bonaparte
himself was, and her daughter had been
married to his favorite general, the mar
quis told me.
notice only the unusual in clothing;
the scantiness Of ladies' apparel that chung
like the skin, and lay upon the oak floor
In ridges, among which man must shove
his way, was unusual to me.
saw, in space kept cleared around her
chair, one beauty with nothing but
sandals on her feet, though these were
white as milk, silky skinned like a hand,
and ringed with jewels around the toes.
Bonaparte's youngest sister stood re-
ceiving court. She was attired like u
Bacchante. with bands of fur in her hair,
topped by punches of gold grapes. Her
robe and tunic muslin fine as air, woven
In India, her bands Of gold, clasped with
canoes, under the bosom and on the arms.
Each woman seemed to have planned out
doing the others in conceits which marked
her own fairness.
I looked anxiously down the spacious
room without seeing Madame de Ferrier.
The simplicity, which made for beauty Of
houses in France, struck me, in the white
and gold paneling, and the chimney, which
lifted its mass of design to the ceiling.
I must have been staring at this and
thinking of Madame de Terrier when my
name was called In a lifting and excited
fashion:
"Lazarre,"
There was Mademoiselle de Chaumont
In the midst of gallants, and better pre-
pared to dance a gavotte than any other
charmer in the room. For her gauze
dress fastened the shoulders so that
rz1J >ol
only to the middle of the calf. This may
have been for the protection Of rose
buds with which ribbons drawn length
wise through the skirt were fringed; but
1t also showed her child-like feet and
ankles, and made her appear tiptoe like
fairy, and more remarkable than any
other figure except the barefooted dame
She held a crook nassed with ribbons
and rosebuds in her hand, rallying the
men to her standard by the lively chatter
which they like better than wisdom.
Mademoiselle Annabel gave me her hand
to kiss, and made room for the marquis de
Plessy and me In her circle. I felt
abashed by the looks these courtiers gave
me. but the marquis put them readily in
the background, and delighted in the pop
pet, taking her quite to himself.
We hear such wonderful stories about
you, Lazarre! Besides, Doctor Chantry
came to see us and told us all he
before you discovered him, Monsieur the
Marquis du Plessy! He and I are Ameri-
cans'
Some women near us commented, as
seemed to be the fashion In that society,
with frankness which Indians would
have restrained.
See that girl! The emperor NAV now
imagine what his brother Jerome has
done! Her father has brought her over
from America to marry her and it will
need all his money to accomplish that"
Annabel shook the rain of misty hair at
the sides of her rose pink face, and
laughed joyful retort.
mo wonder poor Prince Jerome had to
go to America for a wife! Did you ever
see such hairy faced rights as these Par
isians Of the empire! Lazarre fell Ill look
ing at them He pretends he doesn't sec
women, monsieur, and goes about with his
coat skirts loaded with books. I used tc
be almost as much afraid Of him as am
Of you!'
All mademoiselle, dread to ente,
paradise"
why, monsieur"
1.-THE angels are afraid Of me!''
MOT when you smile"
Teach me that adorable smile Of
yours"
"Oh, how improving you will be to La,
zarre. monsieur! He never paid me a com.
pliment in his life. He never said any,
thing but the TRUTH
The lucky dog! What pretty things he
had to say!"
Anpabel laughed and shook her mist ir
great enjoyment. I liked to watch her, ye
I wondered where Madame de Terrier was
and could not bring myself to inquire.
These horrible incense pots choke me-
said Annabel. Pr.
Il like them," said the marquis.
do you? SO do l." she instantly agreed
with him.
Though we get enough incense ir
church."
II should think so! Do you like mass?'
Il was brought up on my knees. But
never acquired the real devotee's back
"Sit on your heels" impaired Annabel il
strict confidence. TRY it,
II will All, mademoiselle, any one wht
could bring such comfort into religion
might make even wedlock endurablel'
Madame de Terrier appeared between
the curtains of a deep window. She wa
talking with Count de Chaumont and al
officer In uniform. Her face pulsed
rosiness like that culver in winter skie
which we call northern lights The clothes
she wore, being always subdued by he
head and shoulders, were not noticeable
like other women's clothes. But knew a.
soon as her eyes rested on me that sh
found me changed. s,a.. g.
De Chaumont came g. step to meet me
and felt miraculously equal to him, will
some power which was not in me before.
You seoundrel. you have fallen int,