The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-04-14
CHAPTER XIV.
NEW HOPES

Now. that l was we'll out of ,nelr
way. it came TO me to wonder what 1
should do with myself until Jerome
might please to seek me again, but ac-
ctdent favored me with occupation.
Passing through the hall 1 heard a
woman's shrill voice, lifed in anger,
berating some unfortunate attendant.
You wrecched hussy, to speak rudely
to a guest Of mine, who did but make
to you a pretty speech. I'd have you be
most charming to Monsieur Ward. Re
member, you are only a hireling, and
need give yourself no such fine un-
seelnly airs
The cor just ahead Of me wa
thrown violently open, and u strutted
a tiny lady in a most disproportionate
rage. h was beautiful neither in face
nor figure; she was diininutive, and
petulant of manner, but bore herself
with an air Of almost regal pride. Ii
vas she whom l came to know as
Madame du Maine, a daughter of the
proud and princely Condos. Following
her. weeping bitterly, came the sweet
maid who had spilled the tray of
flowers on me at the door. l topped
back into an alcove, lest, Iercnance,
she look behind. and aimlessly / stray
gled out into the gardens as best I
might.
The villa being a strange ground, 1t
hAS4.&o NC aioIIC II Glil, Will
nothing to think of but this trouble of
my friends. And Madame de Chartrain.
did l blame her? Blame Jerome? Yes
no. l hardly knew. Viewed at a dis
lance and impartially, such things
strike us with aversion, and we are
quick to condemn. But the more I
thought the nearer / came to conclud-
ing it took something more than a mere
muintnery TO make a wife. All the
ce~remonials and benedictions and light
ed candles and Understanding phrases
GOULD not bind IL woman's heart, where
that heart was free, or called some
other man its lord. Yet the bare fact
remained, this woman was a wife, and
to me, at least. that name had always
been a sacred Il holy one.
To what vain or wise conclusions my
c%ogitations may have led me, con-
ceive not, for another small matter
now quite absorbed my whole atten-
tion. 1t was the beginning of that
one dear hope which speedily banished
all others. 1t is said the trippant tread
of fate doth leave no print upon the
sand to mark it's passage, nor doth
she sound a note of warning that the
waiting hand may grasp her garments
as she flies.
A CLEAN Of white in one of the sum-
mer houses caught my rowing eye, and
quite aimlessly 1 passed the door. A
chit OF a child crouched upon the floor,
n leaned Onward on the benches,
weeping as though each sob were like
to burst her little heart. I grant 1t was
no affair of mine, yet my tears We're
ever wont to start, and eyes play trait
or to mine arm at sight of woman's
trouble. Without thinking one whit, I
stepped In beside her, and laying my
hand gently upon the lassie's shoulder,
implored that she weep no more.
Up she sprang to face me, flushed
and indignant. Verify was I abashed.
Yet there was hat Of sympathy and
sincerity in my voice and mien-or so
she told me after-which turned her
wrath aside.
You. monsieur; I thought it was old
Monsieur Ward, he pursues me So
1t was the same little maid 1 had seen
in the hail, n that was why 7
trembled. She wept now for the scold-
ing she had got. I caught my breath
to inquire why she wept.
Oh, madame, ~madame-it is the
humor of madame to humiliate me of
latei she reminds me ever of my de-
pendent position. And monsieur the
child Strengthened up proudly till she
was quite a woman. Monsieur, I
come of Q. race as old as her own-and
as horored." Charles is poor-the
Chevalier de la Mora, you know. But
noW he goes to the colonies, and viii
take mo with him.,
1t was a silly thing to do, but about
here l stalked most unceremoniously
Off. leaving her to her sorrow and her
tears. Since that day I have often
smiled to think how foolishly do the
Wisest men deport themselves when
they first begin to love. Their little
starts Of passion. their petty Anglers
n their sweet repentances-all were
u~nexplored by me. for Love to me was
yet an unread book.
At the door Of the house NJ. Leroux
hailed me g~raciously:
Continued Next Week.)