Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-27

have US forget their suffering in the festi-
val of coming home, wouldn't they,
Lazarre2''
Surely, Eagle"
Then. why are you looking at me with
reproach?"
perhaps you don't like my dress?'
I told her 1t was the first time 1 had
ever noticed anything she wore, and 1
liked it.
at used to wear my mothers clothes.
Ernestine and made them over. But this
is new; for the new day, and the new life
here"
"And the day." 1 reminded her. '1s the
first of September" M
She laughed and opened her left hand.
showing me two squat keys so small that
both had lain concealed under two Of her
finger tips.
81 am going to give you a key. sire"
"WilI It unlock woman's mindT'
cit will open a padlocked book. Last
night I found a little blank-leaved book.
with wooden covers. 1t was fastened by
paddock, and these keys were tied to it.
You may have one key. will keep the
other"
1.-THE key to padlocked book with moth
ing in it,
+ Her eyes tantalized me.
IT am going to put something In it. So
putting down my thoughts. If the gift APP
peared 70 Sophie when I was child, It
must grow in me by use. Every day
shall put some of my life into the book.
And when die I will bequeath it to YOU"
take back the key. madame. have
no desire to look into your coffin"
She extended her hand.
Then our good and kind friend Count
de Chaumont shall have II"
ssTIe shall notp' tfF
1 held to her hand and kept my key.
She slipped away from me. The, laughter
of the child yet rose through the dignity
Of the woman.
when may read this book, Eagle?''
Never, of my free will, sire. How could
1 set down all I thought about you, for
instance, If the certainty was hanging
over me that you would read my candid
opinions and punish me for them?'
'',rhen, of what use is the key?"
'eYou would rather have 1t than give 1t
to another, wouldn't your"
Decidedly"
''Well, you will have the key to my
thoughtsp'
"And if the book ever falls into my
hands"
IT will see that it doesn't"
'T will say years from now"
'Twenty?'
Twenty? o Eagle"
''Ten."
Months? That's too longr'
"No, ten years, SIRE"
mot ten years, Eagle. Say eight"
mo, nine"
Seven If the book falls into my hands
at the end of seven years, may open it?'
II may safely promise you that" she
laughed. 1.-THE book win never fall into
your hands"
1 took from my pocket the gold snuff
box with the portraits on the lid, and
placed my key carefully therein. Eagle
leaned forward to look at them. She took
the box in her hand and gazed with long
reverence, dropping her head.
Young as 1 was, and unskilled in the
ways of women, that key worked magic
comfort. She had given me link to hold
us together The inconsistent, contradic-
tory being, old one instant with the wis
dom of the Saint Michels, ripping full OF
unrestrained life the next, denying me
all hope, yet indefinitely tantanzing, was
adorable beyond words. closed my eyes;
the binding sunshine struck them
through the ivied arch.
Turning my head as 1 opened them,
saw an old man come out on the terrace.
He tried to search in every direction, his
gray head and faded eyes moving anxious
her lay the snuff-box on the stone seat. Il
knew, though could not let myself watch
her, that she stood up against the wall,
woman of stone, her lips chiseled apart.
''Eagle-Eagle!' the old man cried from
the terrace.
She whispered-''Yes. Cousin Philippe!"