Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-05-06

The other tossed. There was a shout
as the coin descended. for it lodged in
the brim of a spectators hat and could
not be counted. At the next trial It
rolled in spiral ana finally stood edge
wise in a crack of the wharf flooring.
a third time the young Frensllman
sent it spinning. 1t twinlllod in the
sunlight, fell, bounded sideways. the
crowd parting before it, rolled across the
open space and toppled over few feet
from Anne. Instinctivcy she leaned
far out of the coach and looked
at shows the arms.' she cried in
spite of herself. The coin had fallen on
its diverse side.
"Fortune has turned" the secretary
observed easily. 1T appears, monsieur,
that the servant is mine. The remain
der of the stake. if you please"
"'Twas but his assurance he wager
ed with" snarlcd Eolph. 1T will not
hold What does this sorry raimcnt
with thus much money, gentlemen? He
does not own so much. | dispute the
bet"
And Mr.. Rolph calls himself a gen
tleman." Anne said disgustedly
NJ Armand looked at his antagonist
with undisguiscd contempt, and muir
murs of the assembly, WHO loved fair
play, were so unmistakablc that Rolph
drew out bills ana indcn,urc with
curse and drove off with a black look
Anne watched him 90, a curl on her
lip. When she turned at Bctsy's cX-
clamation it was first to be aware chat
! all on the wharf were looking her way.
that some of them were smiling and
then that the young Frcnchman, with
the redemptiOncr woman following
him, was approaching her
Before she had recovered from her
establishment he was bowling low.
"Mademoiscllc," he said, evil pardon
the liberty l take in addressing her?'
She bowed coldly, half startled.
Fate" he went on, "has made me
the owner of this servant, for whom.
! being no landholder, l have scart use.
She speaks a strange tongue and is in
strange land, and to free her without
bond time were small kindness. May
| l beg the favor, madcmoiselle that YOU
take her in your service demanding
such labor as will requite her support"
The indignant color flooded Anne's
brow. Sir" she said frigidly, drawing
herself up, 1--WE have strange surprises
in Virginia, but surely the effrontery
of our visitors surpasses them all"
Armand looked clearly at her out of
his dark eyes. "Mademolselle will par
DON" he answered, "the error of one
of these visitors, who, seeing her face,
has overestimated her graciousness and
charity"
With this he bowed again till his hat
swept the ground, and followed by tie
bondwoman, walked down the wharf
toward the unlading vessel.
The red in Annes cheeks had grown
to firebrands and her anger lent sting
to the half concealed smirks of those
who stood nearest.
Land of mercy" said Betsy, with
emphasis. what impudencew
Soon the curious crowd was thin
ming, Betsy's search was ended, and
Anne, having left her seat in the coach,
watched at nearer view the disgorgng
of the cargo.
mere DIOOhe CdlIle pIIlIlcu Will
new sensation. This now nothing less
than the tale of fight which had &C.
Cured during the voyage between the
mate of the vessel and q passenger.
Anne's eyes were very soft as he fin
ished.
"And who dye think" he ended,
twas this champion? Why, the young
Frenchman yonder that you crushed
so mercilessly, Mistress Tillotson"
"And the redemptioner woman?" ask
ed Anne, with something like dread.
"'Twas the wench he won from
Burnaby Rolph."
"Ohw The cadence was, full Of liquid
self reproach.
"Where are you going?' Betsy asked
as Anne rose. She did not answer, but
walked quickly across the wharf to the
spot where Armand stood. He made
no movement as she came.
Monsieur She faltered and stop
ped
His hat was in his hand instantly,
and he was gravely deferential.
II wish to take back" she went on,
my words of awhile ago. | assure you
they were not rudely meant. p
He stayed her with gesture. what
am | that mademoselle should speak
thus? l was brusque, unmannerly'-
mo, no."
81 forgot where I was-forgot that l
had not the joy of knowing her-forgot
everything but what l saw in her face
as she sat in the chariot. For l am a
great magician, mademoisele. know
all who are lovely and gracious Of
heart"
81 was wrong" she said proudly.
"And for this l ask your pardon. May
may | have the bond servant?"
He smiled gayly now and bowed low
to her. ITO be treated with such pleas
ant surgery all the world would be glad
of wounls," he cried. You recon-