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

teuu2Ieu clrNeu legs auu ciaW-lce',
stood across one corner, and opposite
to it narrow cheval glass, framed III
gold, was flanked by curious dog
cared vases filled with roses.
The windows OF the room were
large aud cut into minute square
panes by heavy oak mullions that
showed darkly through the close folds
of the lace curtains.
On the dressing case were verions
things suggestive of feminine needs
and tastes-a gold thimble, brass
iewel-case finely decorated and sur
mounted by sleeping Pan, curious
tortoise shell comb, fan OF ebony
and heron,plumes, a pair OF wee
gloves and silver tray full OF gay
floss, scraps of embroidery silk and
pair of scissors.
The instant that Fairfay moved,
small, hump backed man-Crapaud
Crapoussin, in fact-arose from low
chair and slipped noiselessly out OF
the room. In moment, he returned,
following q petite brunette, whose
face was sanity in its beauty. She
was young, delicate, graceful and the
dead black of her dress contrasted
, strangely with the soft, rose-like uu-
derglow of her cheeks and the bright
flush of her ruby lips. Her hair,
black and wavy, was simply done IN
Greek knot, and it crinkled with
charming effect around her low FORE
head.
She came straightway to the young
mans bedside and stood there, look
ing down into his face, a rare smile
on her half-parting lips, her head
bent little, and her dark eyes beam
ing softly with tender inquiry.
Crapaud skunk down again into his
chair with peculiar celebrity and re.
sumed reading French novel bound
in black leather. He had been
great admirer of Fairfax ever since
the night when the young man res
cued him from his burly antagonistin
the street, and it was he who had
asked the privilege OF bringing Fair
fax to New Orleans when it was found
that he was badly wounded. Cra-
paud had volunteered as soldier in
Planche's battalion and had fought
like O demon in the battle Of the 23d.
Dwarf though he was, he could shoot
we'll, and he was as courageous as
Jackson himself.
"Oh, you are awake! You have
slept so WELT" said the young woman,
smoothing the snowy bed-clothes as
she spoke.
On her tiny hands were rubies and
emeralds and diamonds; at her throat
an enormous pearl shimmered all
alone.
"You feel refreshed, don't you?
All, to be sure you do; and you are
hungry. 1 will give you something
good"
Her voice was so tender, so sweet,
50 soothing. 1t was the voice of
French creole speaking good English,
but with an indescribable sub-accent
engaging rs it was strange and soft.
Fairfax looked steadily at her, but
for while did not speak.
"Some SOUP" she went on to say;
"that will be nice for you. Go, Mon
sieur Crapoussin, and tell Felice to
bring 1t"
Crapaud slipped away through the
door in noIseless haste.
"You are SO kind, mademoiselle,"
Fairfax presently found tongue to say,
$50 very good. Where am 1? What
is the matter with me?"
He was half beginning to remem-
Der the battle.
"Sh-h-h!' she exclaimed. "You
must not speak; the doctor said 80,
and he knows. will talk for both OF
us. You are not go badly hurt; you
just need to keep quiet for few days,
and then you'll be all right, the doctor
says. Sh-h-h! Don't try to speak.
The tapering, perfectly modelled
finger that she touched her lip with
had on it superb sapphire.
Crapaud came in after while, fol-
lowed by servant with tray, on
which steamed bowl of broth.
Fairfax could not move; indeed, he
felt no inclination to-; nor was he yet
quite aware of what had happened to
him. The young woman fed few
spoonfuls of the warm liquid and pratt
tied to him the while. Crapaud was
deep into the book again.
"The surgeon says your wound IS
really not bad one," said she; "thc
ball only tore the muscles little and
did not touch your lung. But you
must not speak to-day"
When she had given him enough to
eat, she sent the servant out with the
tray and sat down beside him.
"The general says that you fired the
gun that turned the tide OF the fight.
Jsu't it glorious to be wounded when
thai is said about you? No, no; don't
try to answer. I'm to do the talking.
I'm so proud to have ycN in my house
and to have the honor Of nursing you.
I wish 1 were man! Oh, how l would
fghtn'
Fairfax remembered everything