New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-01

Go. then, All my Athena. II suits thee well.
this coat. with its long flaps. great cuffs. jsbot
of lace. \ diamond pin. hne-no? All.
stubborn onel Quick Julie. Mademoiselle's
coiffure-her braids: Loop ther1-so- Now.
ribbon. vite, Helas, I forgot hiatt Thou
shalt have oue-of white felt three-cornered-
a cooked hat, How amusing thou art! Who Is
it thou resemblest? Not George Washington
quite: yet thou art as grave-as severe
So she ratified on while Julie. glowering sulk-
lily az my reflection In the glass. looped my
braids in club and tied them with n broad
ribbon I was much too warm in my velvet
coat but pleased to have Madame cheerful
Scarcely had ! had time to congratulate myself
upon her change Of mood when the report OF a
gun in the near distance destroyed her comfort
Instantly the room re-echoed TO the sound of her
screams. In vain tried to soothe her. The
shots. coming in quick succession. seemed to
drive her mad. Blood. blood bloodr' she
shrieked. covering in her chair and covering her
ashen face with her twisted hands Whose
now-whose. whose?"
Throwing her arms around my neck she be-
sought me to save her to stop Philip. to prevent
blOodshed. pouring forth a torrent Of entreaties.
reproaches and horrible forebodings till my own
brain reeed.
Claude hearing her Outcries. in TO help
For the Lands sake ma'ar" he implored
don't take on so! No amt bein' killed 'cept
pigeons. out TO the paddock yonder! Not but
what it's disgustin butcher work to my thinkin'
stuffin' live birds inter boxes an lettin' 'em out
all blinded and bewildered. with sort O.
chance to 'scape! Them gents from town they
call it sport, they do! I'd like to sport them. just
oncet. you bet! But there amt no use your hol-
Ierin' yourself sick over it. That won't do no
good!'
She had stopped screaming to listen. Her face
was no longer white; a scarlet spot burned in
each cheek. At every shot she WINGED. but kept
her lips tightly closed When Claude ceased
speaking she sat erect in her chair her eyes
bright with anger.
Go to Philip Erranti." she commanded: tell
him to stop this DEVILS work at oncer' Claude
fingered. astcnished by these orders. DO you
wish to drive me mad? she cried. Go, sirg'
While he was gone-on what felt a
working her fingers restlessly. but she not
kept waiting long. Claude returned almost i'm
medately. He looked gloomy and resentfuL
well. sir. well?" demanded Madam, fiercely.
Mr.. Erranti sends his respects. and Is deeply
grieved that he can't oblige his mother in this
trihing matter since he has promised his friends
this amusement" At the end of this speech
Claude bowed profoundly. then continued: Says
he to me. says he. Tell Madam Erranti.' says he
that she mustn't expect me TO go back on my
word. says he. for that says he. is something
which I never dor and that's all he said
ma am"
Disgust and disapprovaI in every feature. in
every movement. poor Claude left the room
Madam began to laugh. strange. strident
laugh. terrible to hear. 1t grew louder and
louder, and before many moments had passed
turned into Wild unearthly screaming. jules
dark face was CHASTITY with terror.
'Mademoiselle" she whispered. hoarsely. 1t
may kill heri For the love OF God-Made-
moiseIle!'
l knew what she would have me do
You try first Julie" I said. eagerly.
NO. no." shaking her head. Il dare not! He
would not listen 10 met"
II will co. said. desperately. almost fierce
ly pressed Madam closer to me IF you will
be good I cried, striving to dominate those
awful screams, II will go TO Philip"
She made pitiful attempt to regain her self
control but at each report OF the shOtguns her
cries grew wilder. I placed her Ia Jules arms
and left the house.
The men were all assembled. as Claude had
said. in the large paddock behind the stables
AS 1 pushed open the tall gate and entered.
pausing to look about me- I thought OF the
morning when I had come there on as difficult
an errand-to decide the fate Of the mare 1t
sunshine-truly, Of Gods days The group
of men who were INDUCING in the unmanly
amusement Of pigeon shooting had evidently
forgotten that it Sunday. or did not care;
the last day. surely, which the gentlest OF
His creatures should be subjected to torture.
II was in vain that looked for some one to
send to Mr. Erranti. The stables seemed de-
serted 1 felt 1 had no time 10 waste in search
ing for a messenger but must go myself As
1 hestated man Left the group opposite. took
up a position facing the box on the ground
at which I had not dared Iook-and fired at the
futtering ball Of feathers that the hateful trap
seemed to vomit forth. Instinctively 1 turned
nv back. covering my eyes with my hands
Another moment. and some one touched me on
the shoulder looked M. II was Randall ST
John
Come to try your luck. Miss Dean?" l
bowed. NO. good. I'm afraid" he said lightly
.eFrrantis in a queer mood to-day. Temper Of
q rattlesnake that's been trampled on Take
nv advice and try cotton in Madams ears
He had. II seemed. been present the deliv-
cry Of CIaude's message. He was ubiquitous
please tell Mr.. Erranti that wish TO speak
10 him"
All right. Miss Dean" he spoke. cheerfuily
since you're bent on cutting your lovely
throat
He went TO Philip. who. leaving his friends.
came slowly toward me in unwilling obedience
10 nv summons, his handsome face marred oy
its expression Of sullen unfriendliness- Wnen
would have spoken he silenced me by a gesture
and said
~ raere, Miss Dean. that you should have
taken the trouble Of coming here. in obedience
m a senseIess whim of my mothers II she OBJ
iects 10 the noise Of the guns, she can be car
ried into my library. and remain there until ~
is over The day is cool enough TO allow the