The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-04-02

guess whit 1t had been. when a lackey
crossed de lawn aud summoned the
chasseur.
Cecil obeyed. passed up the terrace
stairs ami stood before his colonel, CIV
Ing the salute. The shade of some aca-
cias still fell across him, while the
party hs fronted were all in the glow
of a full Algerian moon and of the
THOUSAND lamps amorg the belt o.
flowers and trees. Chateauroy spoke
with d carelessness as Of q mar to n
dog. turning to his corporal:
"yietor. the princess honors you with
the desire to see your toys again.
Spread them out"
The savage authority OF his general
speech was softened for sake Of his
guests presence: but there vas a COW
ert tone In the words that made Ciga-
rette murmur to herself:
IF he fcrgets his promise. ! will for
give him!"
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 ledga
of the marble balustrade and stood
silent. without nee CHANGING at the
fair and naughty face that was more
brilliant still In the African starllgh.
than 1t had been In the noon sun of
the ehasseurs' chambree. Courtesy
was forbidden him as insult from n
corporal to q nobly born beauty. The
carvings were passed from hand to
hand rs the marquis six oil 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
and a finish worthy a Roman studio
Praise enough was awarded to the art.
but only one glanced at the artist with
a touch of wondering pity, softenlng
her pride-she who had rejected the
gift Of those mimic s%quadrons.
You were surely q 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 you such
exquisite art?"
at 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.
AnI 49,. IL l. o-f - to- lid
Who was your master In III"
"a common teacher. madame-neces.
sity."
There was a very sweet CLEAN OF
compassion In the luster of her dark.
dreaming eyes.
"Does necessity often teach so wellY
"In the ranks of our army. madame.
I think 1t does; often. indeed. much
better"
"Victor knows that neither he nor his
men have any right to waste their time
on such trash." Chnteauroy said care-
lessly. but the truth Is they love the
canteen SO well that they will do any
thing to add enough to their pay to buy
brandy"
She whom he had called the prln.
cess looked with a doubling surprise
at the sculptor of the white Arab king
she held.
"That man does not carve fer bran
dy." she thought.
1T must he Il solace to many n weary
hour in the barracks 10 be able. TO pro
duce such beautiful trines as these"
she said aloud. "Surely you encourage
such pursuits. coloneI:"
Not l." said Chateauroy. with a dash
Of his camp tone that he could not
withhold. There are but two arts or
virtues for n trooper TO my taste
fighting and obedience"
You should be in the Russian serv.
ice. NJ. de Chateauroy." said tie lady.
with a smile that, slight as II was,
made the marquis eyes fash Gre.
almost | wish | had been" lie an.
swered her. Men are made to keep
their grades there. and psiyaies who
think themselves fine gentlemen re.
ceive the lash they merit"
Flow lc hates his corporalr' thought
miladi. while she laid aside the white
king nee more.
NAY" interposed Chateauroy. recov.
erlng his momentary self abandon
ment; since you like the bagatelies do
me honor enough to keep them"
"Ch. no; | offered your soldier his
OWL price for them this morning, and
he refused any"
Chnteauroy swung round.
"Aht You dared refuse your bits of
ivory when you were honored by an
offer for them?"
Cecil stood silent. His eye met his
chiefs steadily. Chatenuroy 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
ly through me. | pray you. lie refused
any price. but he offered them to me
very gracefully as a gift. though. OF
course. 1t was not possible that !
should accept them So"