The Cairo bulletin., 1904-08-11
Copyright. 1901, BY D. Appleton i Co., Now York.

win interest, rs my most noble kins-
man. the Marquis de Chabot- Rohan.
| He Will, am sure, as my prospective
sailing thence in a few days debars
me from keeping you with me or ex-
tending you the hospitality of my poor
house, take you into his own chateau
until you are exchanged. Twill be a
pleasant prison, sir, and there grows a
wild Breton rose within the walls. Is
1t not so, Monsieur lie Comte?"
AS to the rose, cannot say. Mon
sieur Grafton may find it thorny; but
as to receiving him, certainly, de Ker-
saint responded the old man just
addressed by the captain Il have
soft spot in my heart for Americans,
as you know, since my only son hon
ored himself by marrying daughter
of Virginia-a land of brave men, mes
sieurs, and fair women. Helas!"
Monsieur lie Marquis" quickly an
swered Grafton, who had not spent
some years of his life at court for
nothing, Il thank you for your hos
pitality and | congratulate you upon
the source from which it flows. ac-
cept it gladly-roses and thorns as
we'll"
Monsieur, you honor me by your
acceptance. AS to the rose, Monsieur
de Kersaint speaks with the romantic
license of Brittany. ''ris but child,
monsieur, my little grand daughter.
am the thorns--a dull old setssure-
ly," added the old man, smiling rather
grimly.
Faith, de Chabot, he who would
fain pluck your rose will find you
sharp enough, I'll warrant Morbleu,
you haven't forgot that parry and re-
turn you taught me when | was
boy and you a young soldier. All
messieurs, if any of you seek speedy
gentle death you may easily find it be-
fore the marquis point"
Gentlemen" smiled the old man,
here is no thought of death, but the
tale of little girl Monsieur Graf
ton"
There are roses in England and |
America, Monsieur lie Marquis-ay, |
and thorns, too And no true man was
ever deferred from wearing one for |
fear of the other. But, mistake me |
not, I'll not seek to pluck your Breton |
flower replied the American, entering
into the spirit of the jest. Il shall be |
your prisoner and
Say my guest, monsieur. But |
said the old marquis, frown-
ing slightly CAS- to the rose, we have
carried the pleasantly too far already, |
nessieurs, Let us have no more of It.
Monsieur Grafton, direct your private
baggage to be brought to the ship
acre; we will leave for my chateau on
,ur arrival this evening"
Monsieur de kersaint' said
Irafton, will you add TO the obli-
cations under which you have laid
ne, by giving orders that my poor
men, the wounded, ] mean, are to be
veil cared for, and then have my pri-
rate baggage sent off to lie RheseeY
Ny steward, who is aboard the Boxer,
will attend to it,
Your men shall be attended to as IL
hey belonged to me-" responded the
french captain, craciously, 'and your
'rivate belongings secured. Mean
While. will you step into my cabin
hat we may discuss further our COM
non interests and friendships? Mon
ieur St. Laurent" he added, turning
0 his executive officer, who held the
ank of capitaine de fregate. will you
brow a prize crew on the doughty
title Boxer-a hard hitter, indeed
nd bid her follow us into Brest UNI
err a jury-rig when she can. On sec
nd thought, monsieur, lie by her for
few hours until she is ft TO go
head. We would better convoy her
n I should not like to lose her for
II she is but a small prize"
Ito be Continued.)