The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-10-26

Before she had recovered from her
nstonishment he was bowling low.
"Mademoiscllc," he said, "will pardon
the liberty take in addressing herr"
She bowed cold,y, half startled.
"Fate. he went on, "has made me
the owner of this servant. for whom.
being no landholder have scant use.
She speaks a strange tongue and is In
a strange land, and to free her without
bond time We're small kindness. May
beg the favor, mademoiselle, that you
take her In your service, demanding
such labor as will requitc her support?'
The Indignant color flooded Annes
brow. "Sir." she said frig:dly, drawing
herself up. 1--WE have strange surprises
in Virginia. but surely the cffrontery
of our Visitors surpasses them all"
Armand looked clearly at her out of
his dark eyes. "Mademoiselle will par
don" he answered, "the error of one
Of these visitors, who. seeing her face.
has ovcrestimated her graciousness and
charity"
With this he bowed again till his hat
swept tho ground, and, followed by the
bondwoman, walked down the wharf
toward the unlading vessel.
Tic red in Annes cheeks had grown
10 f"1orands and her anger lent sting
20 Q half concealed smirlis of those
WHO stood nearest.
Land of mercy!' said Betsy. with
emphasis. what impudencc.'
Soon the curious crowd was thin
ming, Eetsy's search was ended, and
Anne, having left her seat in the coach,
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
ished
"And who dye think" he ended,
twas this champion? Why, the young
Frenchman yonder that you crushed
SO mercilcssly, 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.
"Wherc are you going?" Betsy asked
as Anne rose. She did not answer, but
wdiked 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.
IL 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 mademoiselle should speak
thus? was brusque, unmannerly"-
"No, nov'
II forgot where I was-forgot- that l.
had not the joy ef }sps1Hi8g her-forgot
every thing but what saw in her face
as she sat in the chariot. For / am
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 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 wounds" he cried. "You recon-
pense me thousand times!'
He signed to the serving woman who
sat stolidly upon nearby chest and
pointed from himself to Anne. She
understood, and when Anne put her In
charge of John the Baptist to take on
ahead a-pillion she went without ques-
ton.
Betsy watched this transaction open
mouthed.
did you everl" she gasped. 81 Won
der what mother will say to thatp
Armand had stepped to position, hat
under arm, at the coach door. made
moiselle will permit me to assist herT
he asked and gave her the tips of his
fingers His eyes were bright on her
face.
On the step she stopped, half turned,
a delicate flush coming to her cheek-a
flush that deepened to damask at his
look. She hesitated an instant as If
about to speak, then suddenly entered,
sat down, gave the word to the driver
and was whirled away. The secretary
stood looking after the retreating char
lot
"A splendid creature" purred Brooke,
mt his elbow, albeit you found her win
try"
"Wintry" exclaimed the young man.
"She who is made only Of summer, It's
incense, It's colors. its dreamsl Yours
is an enchanted land, monsieur, and
she It's goddessw
"Egad, I'll make a sonnet of thatp
exclaimed Brooke. "Sink me, but it's
coming back!" The latter remark was
applied to the chariot, which had turn
ed and was now approaching more
slowly the spot where they stood.
AS 1t drew up Anne leaned from the
"Monsieur," she called, "T
had quite forgot to speak of the in
denture."
He drew 1t from his pocket and held
1t out to her.
Such have to be conveyed, make
sure" she said, looking at it doubtful
ly. your delicacy, sir, forbade you
to set me right. We shall have to
sign and witness deed and what not,
suppose"
otis a plain indenture," said Brooke,
peering.
She drew 1t away sharply. "Alas,
we women know so little of business