The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-15
BY E. Marlitt

ture OF strength. and health, and deter
mination
This sudden outburst OF temper terrified
his governess. who. pale and trembling.
hurried toward him; but ere she reached
the spot where he stood, the duchess had
taken the naughty little hand In hers. and
said:
THAT was very wrong, Leo" but her
voice was soft and gentle, and no re-
proof rang I'm its accents.
The boy snatched his hand away from
the soft grasp OF the white fingers. and,
with an angry glare at the retreatinB
figure OF the big lad he had just struck.
he said. hastily:
1T served him right! Papa can't bear
him: he says he Is coward ana AFRAID
OF his own voice"
why. what a strong headed little one
you are! Tell me- what is ther eason that
Gabriel must obey your" asked the
duchess laughing.
''Because-because / choose he shall!'
and he threw back his curls with defiant
air, and turning his back on the company.
as coolly as II no royalty were present.
he ran forward and disappeared behind
one OF the cottages Darling here and
there under the old trees, and peeping
round severai trunks. he at last espied
the lad ne had so thoughtessly struck.
leaning against heay branch, with his
face turned away from sight.
lie was i'm pain, for every now and then
he dipped his handkerchief in the cool
water. and laid il against his left cheek.
while his lips quvered and his whole
frame trembled, evidently not so much
with the physical suffering-though that
was severe enough--as with the wound
10 his spirit from the humiliation he Dad
Just undergone.
He was a handsome. well-grown lad OF
thirteen, rather delicate In appearance
and with a melancholy expression over
his refined features. that gave the Inn
preston that, young as he was, he had
known sorrow. Leo passed and repassed
him several times. cracking his switch
through the air as loud as he could.
Does II hurt very much?" he asked at
last, stopping for a moment the noise be
was making. and stamping his foot in
some impatience.
Gabriel had just removed the handker-
chief 10 dip II in the water, thus leaving
his cheek exposed, and an ugly fiery-red
mark was very distinctly seen as the re-
suit OF the blow.
Not very much, but IL burns little
The voice was gentle and kind. and
without "A tinge of anger; and In a second
the impetuous Leo had flung the switch
on the grass and with both arms tight
round Gabriers neck he sobbed out
Il am Dad, WICKED boy, take my Cdile,
Gabriel. and beat me now!'
Never mind; there. it's well now
whispered the big boy consolingly 10 the
younger one as he gently unfastened the
hands clasped round his neck. There, It's
over; and well think no more about IT."
As little Leo moved away, the duchess,
who had followed and witnessed the scene,
caught the child in her arms. and covered
his beautiful face with kisses.
"Raoul" she murmured under her
breath. hugging the little fellow closer TO
her bosom, and kissing him again and
again.
How stupid" said the youngster, ,strug
Cling to free himself from her embrace.
"Raoul is my papa's name"
The clear pale cheeks Of the royal lady
flushed scarlet, she started, and letting
the boy go, she gave a hasty frightened
glance around to assure herself that the
ladies OF her court were not within ear
shot then resuming her wonted naughty
demeanor as the color faded from her
face and left II whittier than usual, she
strolled back and Joined her guests.
CTo be Continued)