Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-08
Sinister Hints.

Has the days adventure changed every
thing?" she unused. He seems to have
been very handsome, this gallant cava-
lier. 1t would be a hard fight. I know
how her pride stand like fortress;
and l know how love can pull and pull
and pull Don't know it?" and she smiled
and sighed in turn.
At that moment n frown chased away
the smiles, for Master Dauban came out
from the maison and approached her.
Il am the happiest of men to ind you
alone, Mistress LuCette.
Il am not the happieSt of women to find
you anywhere-near me, Master Dauban,
she retorted.
You are as cruel to me as you are
beautiful"
And you are as handsome as you are
honest" she cried, with shrug. He
WINGED.
Il can be firm friend
"To yourself, maybe.
And an ugly enemy, too, at times"
Lucette looked him up and down. and
her lip curled as she answered with al
most savage contempt:
who has fallen SO low as to fear you,
Master Dauban? Have you been trounced
by some scullion of the kitchens?
1T is easy to scof. mistress, he re-
turned, sullenly, stung by her words. Il
could tell you things, he said, slyly, low
ering his tone and CHANGING about him.
She paused a moment, and her eyes
questioned him. She checked the hooking
if with assumed Indifference, COW
ering real curiosity:
What could you tell me-"
Il have eyes to see ears to hear. and I
know what ] know of his plans-and you
would like to know, too"
I.ucette started and bent her head over
her wheel that her face might not be seen
by his ferrety eyes. She resolved to get
it from him
Bah. Am 1 a fool, Master Dauban, that
you would fill my ears with lies about
good man? You say truly. the Baron de
Probable is in no favor of NINE but at
least | know him to be an honest, fair
speaking, straight-dealing- gentleman"
Yes, he is miladis uncle, and good
man." He laughed with the unctuous sug-
gestion of intense enjoyment. And all you
people here in Malincourt are SO sharp and
clever-so sharp and clever-as clever as he
is good
I'VE are sharp enough to know an honest
man when We see him, and clever enough
not to listen to the tales of maligner,
Master Dauban," retorted Lucette with an
appearance of great warmth Her anger so
delighted the man that he threw himself
into the seat near her and laughed till his
sides shook.
great cunning. asked: why do you think
my good master is so interested In this mar
rage of miladi with NJ. de Cobaltc"
Lucette laughed airly.
That's easy to answer, of a surety. q Be
cause he is the brother of Mistress Cab
RELIES late mother and it is a family af-
fair
Does a good man like to see his niece,
q pure woman, mated with a scoundrel?
Does he work and scheme and strive and
plot to force 1t on?"
What grudge have you against Nj de
Cobalt that you would set us against him?"
II am not a well to be emptied by wO-
mans bucket. Mistress Lucette. You will
see, some day"
Il don't believe a word you've said,'' she
replied with a shrug of Indifference.
could he
IF what?'
He leered at her cunningly, and bending
down close to her shoulder whispered:
If you'd give me such kiss as saw
you give Antoine de Cavannes in the wood
yonder when Denys st. Jean was at Court
Lucette flushed with anger and vexation
genuine enough now, and passionate re-
tort rose to her lips, but did not pass them
She had TO fight down her anger in a pause
which he mistOok for confusion.
You have indeed, both eyes and ears
Master Dauban," she answered with quick
glance of coquetfy. But you will not tell
on me?' she added, as if in dismay and
fear of him.
Il may" he replied. enjoying her fear
Must every maiden wear her heart on
her sleeve. Master Dauban, for you hand
some gallants to trifie with?'
MY name is Jacques, by your leave"
"'Tis the sweetest of names" and I,1-
cette sighed and looked down. then started
and dashed a look at him and cried as if
Master DauDln.
You make me so-oh, l don't know how to
say It, L feel-oh, do go away. You make
me feel so serious and $3.50 sad. All met
His hand sought hers. She let him take
which tTembled.
You have never met me in the wood,
Lucette,' he whispered.
You have never asked me. Jacques
never thought-'and she faltered and
broke down.
BE there at set of sun this evening"
No, no. | could not; dare not. / could
Jacques"
And this EVENING"" He was trembling
again in his eagerness.
Her eyes said yes, the pressure of her
tell-tale fingers confirmed it, and the sigh
she gave sent him into an ecstasy.
Il believe you do but play with poor
me- she whispered.
Il swear on my soul / am in earnest
love you, Lucette, I"
Hush not now, not now" and she
snatched her hand quickly from him as if
in great confusion and picked up her spin
ming wheel Il shall count the minutes till
the sun scts-now, Jacques, she cried with
bright laughing smile, and passed into
the house.
Her fears on Gabrielles account having
been excited. her quick wits busted them
selves with all manner of fanciful conjec-
lures to what the vaguely Swallowed
danger could be; and her impotence could
scarce be held in check until the time ar
rived for her meeting with Dauban.
The Baron de Probable was man whose
aim had been to I'LL to the brm the cup of
pleasure. Handsome. INSCRIPTIONS and tai
ented. he had made himself a reputation as
profgae among profigates until his ex-
cesses had ruined him. His fortune declined
as his reputation grew. and for some years
he had been driven to live upon his wits,
which meant trading upon his skill as a
gambler. until a particularly disgraceful
scandal had driven him from Paris.
In Morvaix his evil fame was unknown,
and Gabrielle had welcomed him for her
dead mothers sake. In the small provincial
city he had passed two hateful years. de-
vising means to rehabilitate his fortunes
and recover his lost health.
But there was a flaw in his plans which
threatened to ruin everything. He had in
gratiated himself with the governor. ard
the duke. as keen gambler as de Probable
himself, had won very heavy sums of
money which could not be paid. He had in
this way obtained a hold over him which
threatened to have critical consequences.
The duke had acted with deliberate in
tention. He had been fascinated by Cab
relle de Malincourts beauty. and he had
formed scheme in regard to her which
made her uncle's assistance of the u.most
value.