Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-03-12
ODE Black xzg
VOLTS Breed
coD,r,.A. 1899 @ 3, Henri. Dickson
Copyrisht 1899

uCE CIlGthS. I1tT HdlT WAS BClIl DlaCk,
and neither paint not sticking plaster
marred the wilderness of her skin. l
ssked no questions, but regarded more
closely the young woman with whom
[ now drifted naturally into conversa-
ton. Her were strikingly
free and unconstrained. There was,
however. an air of reserve, Of dignity
Of majesty even-about her, despite
trankness, which forbade anything but
the utmost Difference.
Does my lord understand-that?"
and she pointed her finger to the SER
wants who were chasing and captur-
ing the refractory sheep one by one.
1 shook my head, for, in all serious
ness, 1t was a queer proceeding.
We'll, it's too merry a Jest to keep
long a secret. Beside I'm weary of
these eternal shackles OF court which
forbid me to speak to those whom I
please" A certain defiance gave an
undercurrent Of sadness to her voice,
l mounting rebellion to her tone.
And will talk IL I want to; there's
10 harm, is there?"
l gravely assured her not, and Won
dered what was coming.
We'll, you see," she dried her eyes
IN a handkerchief of costliest lace,
"yo see my-that is, the duchess is Of
such a romantic temperament, SO en-
amored of rural scenes, idyllic mead
ows, pretty shepherdesses, and the like
all the court makes merry at her fol-
BILE. She thought to astonish Paris to-
night by a lavish display of sweet sim
plicity-did Monsieur see 1t? That big
dark place there, behind the glass BAR
tition, was arranged as a meadow,
with a stream winding thorugh 1t. and
rocks and trees, n what not. She had
a flock Of sheep washed clean and
white, penned up in waiting. At a
signal from her during the ball, lights
were to have been turned on, and Ma
demoiselle, the pretty opera singer, was
to come gracefully down a curving
pathway, dressed as a shepherdess,
singing and leading her sheep. Oh, it
was to be too pure for this earth. The
duchess fretted for the opportune
time. But the sheep escaped from their
keepers, and, oh, isn't 1t too ludi-
crous?"
Thus she chartered on with the naive
freedom of any other young demoi-
selle. 1 agreed with her, and was in
wardly glad the affair turned u an
accident, for were this the custom Of
balls ia go to no others.
We continued to chat gayly together;
she was Of a lively wit, and surprised
me by her knowledge Of dogs and
horses, of the chase, of sword play and
Of firearms, Odd tastes for a gentle
woman, most of all for one of her ex-
allied rank. OF this latter 1 had no
mentioned, nothing Of the drawing
room gossip, and she very naturally
remarked.
MY lord is a stranger"
only. yesterday in Paris" I as
sented."
From what place comes my lord7''
and for the second time In a day I vas
driven to a direct lie.
From Normandy" 1 replied.
ITO live in PARISH"
mo, unfortunately; my affairs will
be finished in n few days at most. Then
I return to the country" The lady was
pensive for a space, hesitated in q
pretty perplexity and then spoke
doubtfully.
you can be Of service to me If you
will"
I Immediately signifed my willing
ness to render her aid, in the courtli-
at me long and seriously again, then
again pursued the subject of her
thought.
1T is a mere woman's whim, but I
crafty my whims. Perchance 1t Is not
a proper wish for a lady Of birth, yet
1 have 1t, and If o will but aid me,
| will carry 1t through"
Moved as much by curiosity as by
any other motive, l inquired Of her
what so weiglty a matter could be.
Come, let us GO n this ante-room
that we may v undisturbed,"
she said, and led me into a quiet corner
where there were seats. I would have
thoughtlessly taken a place by her
side, forgetful Of Jerome's teachings,
she commanded coldly:
Monsieur will stand"
And l stood.
you are a stranger in Paris, you
seem to be a man OF honor; for those
reasons / choose you. I would not ARE
to have n OF my W gentlemen know
what l wish to do. All Paris would
talk Of 1t tomorrow. We in the palace
see naught OF the common people, and
l have long dreamed 1t would be a
brave adventure to go unknown among
them, to their ms and gathering places.
l have alwayS. desired to know more
Of our Paris, especially one place which
I hear mentioned frequently of late.
My position will not permit me to visit
it o~penly-you understand"
1 protested that knowing naught of
the streets I should be bu a blind
guide.
II know where 1 would co." she said,
determinedly, brushing aside the DIFF.
fculties I would suggest, Z" and I will
go; o will go too"
l was vastly troubled at this, for
might 1t not lead TO such another es-
capade as came so near costing me
dear? Her eyes fixed full upon me,
her voice blended a command which nc
man dared disobey, with an entreaty
which lone would willingly run coun-
ter to, and I gave reluctant assent.
will you await me here ?" she de-
manded rather than asked. my
a - ~ ~ opfa q "a IN fhia hNi1dfn0 uyiIJ
return very briefly"
When the lady came back she would
never have been taken for q
her long cloak, such as men wore,
reached to her boots, identical in all
respects with my own. Her hat, plume
and sword were correct and bravely
worm. Her maid, a tribe nervous over
III adventure, but who said nothing,
bore a similar cloak for me, and held
two masks In her hands.
"Wil my lord throw this about
him?" and without any question l as
sumed the cloak.
Now, this" and she handed me a
mask while she affixed one about her
own ACE.
l demurred to the mask.
II will not take my lady upon an err
rand where we can not show our
faces"
She laughed merrily, and replied: 'It
is the way Of Paris, my lord, and
naAe,h is thought Of 1t. Many lords
and ladies wish to keep their faces
from the canaille."
I drew a breath OF resignation and
put 1t on.
Am / not a comedy mann" the lady
one touch of woman's vanity
showing through 1t all.
Yes. by my faith, madame;" but
sayings were foreign to my awk-
ward tongue.
She led me out Of the palace by a pri-
vate way, and when the street was
reached we walked along as two men
would. She directed our course, and as
she gave not hint of her destination we
came to an arched doc on a side street
and there she paused and looked care
fully about to see that no one watched
nc md fha-in 1ua xuant