New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-03

|, maid is yours I can manage the matter-wiH
always be ready to act as your bodyguard. This
woman. Mathide. help Julie at any time
with maman. You don't object. hope. TO the
arrangement"
I did, but careful not to say An I'M
wise arrangement. thought, setting aside the
discomfort it promised me. Should the French
women not agree, Madam might fall between
two stools instead Of being better tended. It
would be my duty to keep them good terms
no light task!
Il will send for Mathilde." said Philip, IN
conscious of my disapprovaI When the woman
came he spoke OF me to her as Miss Derohan
instead Of Miss Dean did not ask him why
thinking # merely slip Of the tongue. Ma
thilde's appearance was not prepossessing.
Black browed stolid-faced. she looked as
though she might be both obstinate and sulky.
Her addition to party pleased me little.
"Goodby, Athena" said Philip. taking my
hand. Let the maids save you from close at
tendance on manan Try to amuse yourself TO
be happy-and, beg. never go ashore alone"
He went to Madam, spoke at length with
her and kissed her many times.
The servants preceded by Don. barking fran
ticaIy, ran to the end Of the point. The Char
lotte We'd with Don in a series of piercing
whistles The servants cheered. the crew hur-
rahed Madam clapped her hands, with glee.
Philip, standing erect in the rowboat that was
taking him ashore, smiled as he waved his hand
to Madam. an odd look of triumph. his
dark face.
Does Madam desire another wrap"
/ turned, to find the maid close behind
me- In her hand she carried a silk shawl.
Madam answered before could.
ITO whom are you speaking. pray? I am
Madam E'rrap Are really StuOid7 Or
do you wish to appear so! Mademoiselle Athena
does not wish that shawl. 1t would ruin her
toilet. You, a Frenchwoman, know no better?
Co. at once Athena. she is a fool. Her face is
badges. bad Already 1 detest her. More i'm
beetle than thou, julie as Julie came to take
her below, and that is too muchr'
All Madam. have patience with poor Ma
thilde She will soon learn. She is not so
stupid
You praise her. Julie? Wonder Of wonders!
You know her. perhaps?"
But yes. Madam. An old friend"
'Humph." muttered Madam. "A fine recon-
mendation, truly"
Life on the Charlotte pleased Madam while
the fine weather lasted, but no sooner did the
sky become gray than she commanded the cap
tain to take her home at once, was sorry to
return The trip had been delightful The
beauty Of the scenery charmed me: but Madam
had had enough. She had refused to start on
Friday. but the thought of returning on that
day did not disturb her. 1t did me. 1 struggled
against the feeling in vain. but then dreaded
recommending the old life in Highgrove Hall
1t was like returning TO prison
looked wistfully at the big red house loom
ing up among its trees as cast anchor. and
wished il We're not so gloomy and forbidding
Houses are so like people in their widely diff
fering expressions. The Hall had a repeent
face. Madam did not share my depression. al
though the clouds hung low and east wind
mOaned drearily. Her one desire was to creep
back into her cage As 1 followed the men who
carried her up the bank my heart sank lower
and lower. No came to welcome us Not
even Don. I wondered not to see Claude dash
out TO greet US
We entered Madam's room through the glass
door opening on the veranda II the surround
ings OF the house and its grim walls looked
dismal, her gay apartment wore its brightest
air. fire cracked the hearth. the many
lamps burned brightly, and chrysanthemums-
red. pink yellow ny-tinted-were heaped in
every bowl and Madam. delighted. for
got 10 be tired. All her old treasures were ex-
amined with fresh interest. Julie had 10 open
the chests and display their contents. while l.
as lay figure was called upon TO hang shawls
silks and faces about my shoulders. Thus the
first hour passed. and Philip. driving rapidly up
the avenue IN his dogcart came upon us in the
midst OF this strange pastime.
He was in high spirits over Madam's return
delighted with the Improvement in her appear
ance. and welcomed both with enthusiasm
For some unknown reason his warmth OF greet
ing ssslasd ~ Isitats ths whimsical cid IAax.