Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-15

Did your father ever tell you of the engagement he and one or two other private armed ships had with French frigate seeking to enter the narbor?'' La iRencmme?'' interrupted Grafton in great surprise at the others l1nowl- edge. Certainly, monsieur, often. Twas that fight, indeed, that won his kings approval and gained him the commission which was in turn passed on to me.
 My faith, sirl'' exclaimed the French captain, smiling, twas a hot fight indeed! I never have seen q better. He well deserved the com mission he won. No wonder that you did not quail before a ship of the line, young mani You have in you the mettle of your father.''
 'Did you know my father, sirg'' asked Grafton; in great surprise.
 ''I have heard him speak from the iron throats of his guns, sire
 Then you are?''
 ''I was the captain of La Renomne. '' And your name is2"
 "Guy de Caetnampreu, Comte de Kersaint de Kerguelen, Capitaine de Vaisseau Of His Most Christian Mai esty Louis Xv., whom God protect. 1 and very much at your service, mon sieur, Here is no case of prisoner and enemy, gentlemen. The father fought me. befriend the son. Is 1t not just, messieurs? ?' asked Kersaint, turning to his officers once more.
 It was Grafton who answered: Tis more than justice, Monsieur le Ccnnte, 'tis kindness, indeedi'' N'importe. monsieur; would that could give you back your ship. but that, of course, is impossible. Never theless, your captivity shall be made as light as possible. We are bound In for Brest, and this gentleman here. r indicating an old man in rich civilian dress, who had surveyed the scene with interest. ''is my most noble kins- man, the Marquis de Ohabot- 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 q pleasant prison, sir, and there grows a wild Breton rose within tho walls. Is it not so. Monsieur le Comte?' AS to the rose, cannot say. Mon~ sieur Grafton may find E tA0rny: but as to receiving him, certainly, dee Kerr saint responded the old man just addressed by the captain. ''I have s soft spot in my heart fo1. Americans, as you know, since my only son hon. bred himself by marrying a daughter of Virginia-a land of bravo men, mess sieurs, and fair women. HeIas!' Monsieur le Marquis" ]" quickly am swered Grafton, who had not spent some years of his life at court for nothing, z thank yoii for your hos~ pitality and I congratulate you upon the source rom which 1t lows. ac~ Cept it gladly roses and thUrns as we'll. ''
 Monsieur, you honor mo by your acceptance. As to the rose, Monsieur de Kersaint speaks with the romantic license of Brittany. 'Tis but child, monsieur. my little grand-daughter. am the thornsa dull old sets sure Iy,' Z, added the old man. smiling rather grimly.
 Faith, de Chabot, he who would fain pluck your rose will ind you sharp enough, I'll warrant. Morbleu. you haven't forgot that parry and re- turn you taught me when was 8 boy and you a young soldier. Ah, messieurs, if any of you seek speedy gentle death you may easily ind it be- fore the marquis point
 stGentlemen," smiled tho old man, 'shere Is no thought of death, but the tale of q little girl. Monsieur Graf- l ton-
 ''There arc roses in England and America, Monsieur Ie Marduis-ay, and thorns, too. And no true man was ever deterred from wearing one for fear of the other. But, mistake mo not, I'll not seek to pluck your Breton flower" replied the American, entering into the spirit of the jest. '.I shall De your prisoner and
 ''Say my guest, monsieur. But enough" said the ola marauis. frown- ing slightly. "As Co the rose, we have carried the pleasantly too far already, messieurs. Let us have 10 more cf 1t. Monsieur Grafton, direct your private baggage to be brought to the ahip here; we will leave for my chateau on our arrival this evening"
 Monsieur de Kersaint." said Grafton, .'wiIl you add to the obli- gations under which you have laid me, by giving orders that my poor men, the wounded. mean. are to be we'll cared for, and then have my pri- vate baggage sent off to Le Thesee? My. steward, who is aboard the Boxer, will attend to it."
 "Your men shall be attended to as if they belonged to me- responded the French captain, gracicusly. "and your private belongings secured. Mean while, will you step into my cabin that we may discuss further our com mon interests and friendships? Mon- sieur St. Laurent, :" he added. turning to his executive oflcer, who held the rank of capitaine de fregate, twill you throw a prize crew on the doughty 1 little Boxera hard hitter, indeed and bid her follow us into Brest un- der a jury-rig when she can. On sec ond thought, monsieur. lie by her for a few hours until she is it to 50