The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-08-20
AMERICAN LIFE DURING THE WAR OF 1912.
az MAURICE THOMPSON.
Copyright, 1882 and 1892 By Rober. Boomers Sons

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ness, but stood close to the beautiful
girl, looking boldly into her face, and
speaking with luency and engaging
versatility.
Mademoiselle de Sozannes dropped
her fan. In those days, young ladies
sometimes did this very skillfully; it
was a way of testing the promptness
and gracefulness of her admirers.
We must not say that Mademoiselle
de Sezannes's fan fell in accordance
with a design of this sort; certainly,
she let it fell with a most innocent
air and with a pretty little start and
q step backward.
Lieutenant Ballanche was a quick
man, a man whose every muscle acted
with almost instantaneous promptness
at need. He lent toward the jeweleG
toy at once; but Parker was already
handing it to Mademoiselle de
Sezannes with an exquisite bow.
Such celebrity astounded the ~lieuten-
ant; indeed, it actually offended him;
and his face showed it in spite of him.
THAT is a remarkably fine ruby,
maiemoiselle, in the hilt of your FAM"
said Parker, after gracefully receiv-
ing her thanks. "Such a stone might
have q history"
Monsieur Parker, you have very
quick eyes," she smilingly answered,
''and you guess we'll. This stone has
a romantic history. Rochou, the last
Of the buccaneers, gave it to my
grandfather. It is known as the buc-
cancer of Caribbean ruby"
"That is very interesting. Will
you kindly let me look OF it. I have
. passion for old gems"
ooh, certainly, monsieur. Every
one desires to look at it. It is q ia
nous little pebble"
He took the fan and held it so that
the light fell favorably upon the
rosy-hued setting.
Superb" he exclaimed. 1T
glows like fire and has the color of q
red cherry's juice. Thank you, ma
demoiselle; it is a great pleasure to
have seer the beautiful thing"
Parker was exquisitely dressed,
and upon his own hands and bosom
sparkled diamonds Of no mean size.
His air at that moment was that OF a
connoisseur delighted to have been
permitted to look at q marvel in
his special field OF knowledge. He
lacked the peculiar air Of ease and fin
ish, so to speak, that made Lieuten.
ant Ballanche so notable in company;
but there were a self-suficiency. a
readiness and q sharp vigilance that
even the famous lieutenant could not
command. Evidently he was one to
watch, if you would not have him beat
you in any race.
He looked bodily into Mademoiselle
de Sezannes' eyes, and said:
evil Mademoiselle de Sezannes
honor me with the next dancer"
Ballanche had been just on the
point of asking the great pleasure, but
the quick youth had forestalled him.
eyes, monsieur, with pleasure"
she answered, ''but let us pass one
dance, if you please, I am a triac
tired"
"Take my arm, I will find you a
seat"
He stepped close to her and bowed.
He was SO prompt, so taking in some
way, and withal s. outright that there
was no denying him.
A moment later Lieutenant Bal
lanche found himself standing there
alone, while the tall girl was walking
away leaning with superb grace on the
arm Of the spry little muscular
stranger. A flush of anger mantled
the usually cool cheek of the soldier,
and he turned on his heel, as if to give
an order to a company behind him.
He came near upsetting an old
gentleman of short but portly figure.
"Your pardon, SIR"
"Ah, pardon"
Both men bowed and apologized.
The old gentleman was Madamoiselle
de Sezannes's father, Octave de Sezan-
mes, the banker. He rubbed his
hands togther in o businesslike way
and smiled with that perfunctory read
mess noticeable in men who make
money by sharp turns. The seal of
his watch was a maltese cross of gold
set with diamonds.
pardon, monsieur, we heavy men
move but slowly and awkwardly; we
are in everybody's way"
"But it is I who am to blame, Mon
sieur de Sezannes; I sprang around
as if I meant to run away. 1 was an
CRY, however, and you know an angry
man is a fool"
He spoke lightly, but the ring of
his sudden creole fury was not yet out
of his voice.
II saw, I saw; I know what you
mean,", said De Sezannes, with the
air of one from whom nothing escapes.
"The young fellow swooped down lie
a hawk and took Marie right away
from you. Ha, ha, hal"
Lieutenant Ballanche joined the
old gentleman but dryly in his little
laugh.