Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-11-19

Jays ana as sweet AZ apple blossoms.
He stroked her hair clumsily with his
large hand, as heavy and roughly
fond man is apt to do. adding in IN al
most serious tone:
"But my little girl is better than most
Of them--not foolish mischief maker.
I hope"
Alice was putting her head through
the string of beads and letting the
translucent white disk fall into her
bosom.
ats time to change the subject
said she. "Tell me what you have
seen while away. wish I could go
far off and see things. Have you been
to Detroit. Quebec, Montrcal:"
'Ycs. I've been to all. a long. hard
journey, but reasonably profitable. You
shall have goodly dot when YOU get
married. my. child"
''And did you attend any parties or
balls:" she inquired quickly. ignoring
them. want to know what you saw
in the great towns-in the fine houses
how the ladies looked, how they act
ed-what they said-the dresses they
worc-how'-
"Cicl. You will split my ears. child.
Can't You fill my pipe and bring it to
ME with IL coal on? Then III try to
tell YOU what cam" he cried. assunl-
ing humorously resigned air. PEP
haps il smoke can remember ev-
erything."
Alice gladly ran to do what was
asked. Meantime Jean was out on
the gallery blowing a flute that NJ.
Roussllon had brought him from
Quebec.
The pipe we'll filled and lighted APP
parently did have the effect to steady
and encourage NJ. Roussillon's men,
DRY, or, if not his memory, then his i'm
agination. which was of that fervid
and liberal sort common to natives of
the Midi and which has been exquisite
~ depicted by the late Alphonse Dau-
Diet in Tartarin and Bompard. He
leaned far back in a strong chair, with
his massive legs stretched at full length,
and gazed at the roof poles while he
talked.
In the first place, he had not been in
Quebec or Montreal during his absence
from home. Most Of the time he had
spent disposing Of pelts and furs at De-
troit and in extending his trading re-
lations with other posts, but what mat
tered trifling want Of facts when his
meridional fancy once began to warm
up? A smattering of social knowledge,
gained at first hand in his youthful
days in France while he was student
whose parents fondly expected him to
conquer the world. came to his aid, and.
besides, he had saturated himself all
his life with poetry and romance. Sou
derry, Scarron, Provost, Nine. La Fa-
yette and Calprenede were the chief
sources of his information touching the
life and manners, morals and gayeties
of people who, as he supposed, stirred
the surface of that respondent and far
off ocean called society.
Alice was absolutely charmed. She
sat on a low wooden stool and gazed in
ing eyes in which burned that rich and
radiant something we call passionate
soul. She drank in his flamboyant
stream Of words with thirst which
nothing but experience could ever
quench. He felt her silent applause
and the admiring involuntary absorb
ton that possessed his wife. The con-
seriousness Of his elementary magnet
ism augmented the flow of his fine de-
scriptions, and he went on and on until
the arrival of Father Beret put an end
to it all.
The priest, hearing Of NJ. Roussillon's
return, had come to inquire about some
friends living at Detroit. He took
luncheon with the family, enjoying the
downright refreshing collation. Of broil-
ed birds, onions, meal cakes and claret,
ending with dish of blackberries and
cream.
NJ. Roussillon seized the first oppor-
tunity to resume his successful romano
ing and presently in the midst of the
meal began to tell Father Beret about
what he had seen in Quebec.
by the way" he said. with expan-
sive casualness in his voice, II called
upon your old tine friend and coad
tutor, Father Sebastian. while up
there. a noble old man. lie sent you
a thousand good messages. Was
nightly delighted when told him
how happy and hale you have always
" SM)A4g8