The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-11-19

cooking food and sending it down to
them. I0ey are brave, brave men
and will never let those English come
here"
She stocked his temples and fore.
head uutil he dropped asleep again.
For good while she stood gazing at
his pale, handsome, half-boyish face,
then turning to Crapaud, said:
"Watch him all the time, and il ne
needs me come for me"
AS she turned to go ont of the room
ahe paused before the cheval glass and
looked into it over her shoulder. 1t
was quick, bird-like, comprehensive
glance. She smiled, gave little sat-
isGel sigh. turred her eyes once more
to tho bed and, shaking her jeweled
finger at Crapaud to signify that he
must be watchful, went out.
Crapaud read on and on, now and
again looking up when Fairfax drew q
deeper breath than usual. The novel
was one of mystery and adventure that
stirred the hunchback's blood and set
his imagination into ectasy. When it
was read he flung it on the cushion Of
the priedieu whore it lay an hour later
when the young woman returned.
She noticed it Immediately and
spatched It Off with cnirruping cry
of disapproval,
"A romance there" she exclaimed.
with the peculiar rising infection OF
the upper. r.class creoles.
Her little furry disturbed Fairfax.
"Sh-sh-h III" she hissed at Crapaud,
who had not so much as breathed
aloud. "You'll wake him.
The book was placed on the dress.
ing case; then she went to the bed and
bent over the sleeper just as he opened
his eyes.
Pauline" he murmured, gazing
wistfully, pauline, where are you?"
"There, now, be STILL" she said
coaxingly, stroking his forehead until
he again fell away into sleep.
"Crapaud," she presently spoke up,
turning to the dwarf with sudden in.
quiry, "that's his sisters name, ehl
Pauline is his sister, isn't she?"
eyes. mademoiselle--"
"No-say, madame sir, say
madame to me!'
eyes, madame, lis sister, beauti.
full young lady, that Pauline"
Crapaud had no particular object in
telling this lie: it came to him prompt.
ly, spontaneously, just as his breath
came and went forth and just as
lightly.
"Aud she loves him very much,
doesn't she?"
"Yes, madame, it is beautiful love
that sister has for him, very beauti.
full"
"And he loves her the same?"
ooh, yes, madame.
She clasped her little hands, keep.
ing outermost the one bearing the
richest jewels, and turning her head
to one side, looked admiringly at the
wounded mans face.
els she like her brother, Crapaud"
Every like him, madame.
:"How beautiful she must be, era.
paud, how very beautiful"
An underglow showed in her dark
cheeks.
"What did you say his name is?"
"Fairfax, madame.
"Ah, a fine name. I knew he was
an American"
She gave the bed-covering some
dainty touches and went out of the
room, singing under her breath a
snatch of old French song.
The next day Fairfax was feverish
and sleepless: his wound had inhamed
q trihe.
"Crapaud," he inquired quickly.
''who is this young woman who is so
good to me?"
cit is Madame Souvestre, mon.
sieur."
sThis is her house?"
eyes. She is widow. She il
very rich"
"How came I here?"
Crapaud told him all.
"But you must not talk, Monsieur
Fairfax" he added. "She forbids
it,"
"Tell me, Crapaud," the young
man persisted, paying no heed to the
prohibitory command, "havs you
heard anything FROM"
"The young lady-Madsmoisells
Vernon? Oh, yes! I have heard.
She's safe. She's at home. She
came back. Oh, yes"
OF course. he was glibly lying
again. He had heard Fuirfax talking
IN the half-delirium Of his sleep and
had made out his secret. He thought
it would please him to be told that
his sweetheart was safe at home.
1t seemed easier for Fairfax to con.
verse in English, 80 Crapaud drew
upon his limited vocabulary in that
language.
"Yah, sab, Mees Vernon she varee
we'll at prayson, sab.
"When did you see her, Monsieur
Crapoussin?"
"Yeestidy, see uh. I waint down
zere wen yo's sleepin', sab. She