Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-15

the redemptioner woman following |
him, was approaching her.
Before she had recovered from her |
establishment he was bowling low.
"Mademoiselle," he said, Twill pardon
the liberty 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, have scant use.
She speaks strange tongue and is in
. strange land, and to free her without
bond time were small kindness. May
beg the favor, mademoiselle, 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, I'VE have strange surprises
in Virginia. but surely the effrontery
Of our visitors surpasses them ALL"
Armand looked clearly ut her out of
his dark eyes. "Mademoiselle will par.
don," he answered, 1.-THE error Of one
Of these visitors, who, seeing her face,
has overestimated her gracicusness and
charity"
With this he bowed again till his hat
swept the ground, and, followed by the
bondwoman, walked down the wharf
toward the unlading vessel.
The red in Anne's cheeks had grown
% flrebrands and her anger lent sting
30 the half concealed smirks of those
who stood nearest.
"Land of mercyr' said Betsy. with
emphasis. "What impotence"
Soon the curious crowd was thin
aing, Betsy's search was ended, and
Anne, having left her seat in the coach,
watched at nearer view the disgorging
| Of the cargo.
| Here Brooke came primed with
new sensation. This now nothing less
than the tale of fight which had oc-
CURED during the voyage between the
mate of the vessel and passenger.
Anne's eyes were very soft as he fin
| 3shed.
"And who dye think" he ended,
"was this champion? Why, the young
Frenchman yonder that you crushed
70 mercilessly, Mistress Tillotson."
"And the redemptioner woman?" ask
Cd Anne, with something like dread.
"'Twas the wench he won from
Burnaby Rolph."
"Ohv The cadence was full Of liquid
self reproach.
"Where are you going?" Betsy asked
~ Anne rose. She did not answer, but
walked quickly across the wharf to the
spot where Armand stood. He made
NO movement MS she came.
Monsieur She faltered and stop
ped.
His hat was in his hand instantly,
and he was gravely deferential.
IT wish to take back" she went on,
s.my words Of awhile ago. I assure you
they were not rudely meant. r.
He stayed her with gesture. What
am I that mademoiselle should speak
thus? 1 was brusque, unmannerly"-
mo, nor
II forgot where was-forgot that I
had not the JOY of knowing her-forgot
everything but what saw in her face
as she sat in the chariot. For ON a
great magician, mademoiselle. / know
all who are lovely and gracious OF
heart"
II was wrong" she said proudly
"And for this ask your pardon. May
may have the bond servants"
He smiled gayly now and bowed low
to her. 'To be treated with such pleas
ant surgery all the world would be glad
Of wounds" he cried. you recon,
pense me thousand times!"
He signed to the serving woman who
: sat stolldly upon nearby chest and
pointed from himself to Anne. She
understood, and when Anne put her II
, charge of John the Baptist to take OF
: ahead a-pillion she went without ques
ton.
Betsy watched this transaction ope1
mouthed.
: ibid you ever!" she gasped. ''I won
der what mother will say to thatv'
. Armand had stepped to position, ha
under arm, at the coach door. Made
moiselle will permit me to assist her?'
s he asked and gave her the tips Of hi
, fingers. His eyes were bright on he
face.
! On the step she stopped, half turned
. q delicate flush coming to her cheek
= flush that deepened to damask at hi
b look. She hesitated an instant as
about to speak, then suddenly entered
t sat down, gave the word to the drive
and was whirled away. The secretar
b stood looking after the retreating char
0 lot.
"a splendid creature" purred Brooke
u at his elbow, "albeit you found her win
" Try"
"Wintry" exclaimed the young mar
t "she who is made only Of summer, 1t
j. incense. its colors, its dreams! Your
" 10 an enchanted land, monsieur, an
a she it's goddess!'
e "Egad, I'll make sonnet Of that!
}. exclaimed Brooke. "Sink me, but IT.
e coming back!' The latter remark wa
applied to the chariot, which had turr
!. ed and was now approaching NOR
h slowly the spot where they stood.
/. As It drew up Anne leaned from th
I. window. Monsieur" she called,
had quite forgot to speak of the II
it dehture."
M He drew it from his pocket and hel
d It out to her.
1t "Such have to be conveyed, NAL
e. sure" she said, looking ut it doubtful
ly. "Your delicacy, sir, forbade yc
n to set me right. We shall have
10 sign and witness deed and what nc
le SUPPOSE"
ID n ~0I