The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-04-08

sill accounts. a good Wife and devoted
mother: her children yet live in Louis
lam, happy II prosperous.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE SECRETARY AND THE DUKE
Those reflections which 1 set down at
the end Of the last paragraph drifted
me somewhat from the regular thread
OF my narrative. This. perhaps, is not
the only reason why l should stumble
and shy along like a balky palfrey
accidents which transpired immed-
lately after or arrival at SceauX.
Thinking now this matter over, my
withered cheeks lost their ashen hue.
and burn again with. the hot, tumult-
uous blood Of youth and shame. But
I may as well tell it with all the reso-
luton a man summons before plunging
into an icy bath at midwinter. 1t came
the unexpected prelude to one long,
sweet song. 1t was In this wise:
Jerome seemed a welcome guest at
Sceaux. and from h hearty greetings.
yet respectful withal. which were &C
corded him, must have been a man Of
more consideration in the world than
I had heretofore supposed. Before this,
l received him at his own worth, and
our short acquaintance had been so
filled with matters of serious moment,
1 made no inquiries beyond the scant
stray bits of information he had himself
volunteered. However that might be.
his welcome at Sceaux vas sincere.
Nor did wonder at his being a favor
lite. from the jovial jests n filings he
cast at those who crowded round.
which set them all a%laughing. His
familiarity with the doings of the day.
and the quick repartee he used to men
6r 1yfpn~art ~o.+t~ -A~-;~l~l ,-1
greatly.
given quiet orders to the groom, Jer-
m made me acquainted with his
friends. Some part of their good-fe!-
lowship fell to my lot as q friend Of
Jerome's. and put me upon my mettle
to return 1t.
AS good luck would have it, Jerorne's
friend. the Chevaller Charles de la
Mora. was then at Sceaux. and came
up early on learning of our arrival.
He was a splendid fellow of thirty
five. stalwart and unusually graceful
for a man of his inches. His frank and
cordial manner was his greatest charm
to me. though a woman would doubt
less have raved more over those dark,
dreamy eyes. which while mild enough,
betimes gave promise Of fire and to
spare.
He spoke most a~ffectionantely to
Jerome. and bade us both be sure his
VITO would receive US with sincerest
pleasure. Several of the gentlemen
Immediately on easy terms.
Before entering the Villa I paused in
a doorway at the head Of a short fight
Of steps. bowling and posturing through
my new catalogue of behavior. anxious
ly watching for Jerome's APPROVAL. or
a cue. The rascal. I could not for the
life OF me tell from his expression
whether he applauded my fine manners
or laughed secretly at the folly of 1t
bending myself pretty we'll double, half
backing into the door which led to an
inner hall. Holding this position. which
however elegant 1t might have appeared
to those in front, was certainly neither
graceful or attractive viewed from
within. I felt a sudden jar from the
rear, and being thus struck at a point
of vantage. came near to plunging for
ward upon my face. Before l could
recover my equilibrium and turn about,
I heard the Jingle of a tray Of glasses
and a cool shower of spray flew about
my ears. Then the dazed and bewild-
cred eyes of a timid girl looked full into
nine she c~ourageously paused and es-
sayed to stammer out an apology. Her
gaze, though. wandered past ne, and
one sight of the drawn features of those
who had seen it all and now sought in
vain to restrain their laughter. was
too much for this startled fawn. She
turned n fled as the wind, just when
their merry peal burst out.
well, my little lady had best look
where h goes. and not run through a
door with her eyes behind her." roared
de Virelle. when the girl had well es-
capped.
His speech was suited to my actions.
ah, 81 fine" drawled Miron.
by my soul. Captain. you have
flowers to spare" chimed In lie Rue.
That's right, gather them up for
Mademoiselle is not usually SO gener-
Gus with her g%uerdons that any should
be lost The little icicle."
His speech was suited to m actions
for, like q fool. I had already dropped
up the scattered roses and replacing
them in the vases from which they had
fallen. The tray was still rolling and
rafting around on the floor. Verify, ]
felt my shame must me, and
took refuge in this humble occupation
to hide my face. There Is some sor,
of a confused recollection now abiding
with me-, that a man-servant at length
came to sweep up the fragments, while
I watched him %vacantly, a tangled
bunch Of roses in my hand.
In all their laughs and jests and jibe:
hurled at my embarrassment. jerome
never for a moment lost sight Of the
main purpose of our visit. AS all roads
led to Rome, SO did he adroitly turn al
topics OF conversation into those chan.
nels where might be supposed to rur
the information we wanted.
l felt myself. especially in my pres
ent frame of mind, ill-fltted for such
a play. The blunt and awkward di
rectness Of he camp suited better m,
ways and speech. Though I might dis
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