Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-12-30

"
1 WENT AWAY THEN FOR A WALK
AND STRoLLED INTO THE NORTH
TRAIL
at me as looked after them at the
edge of the wood. The baroness had
asked me to go with her, but thought
the journey too long. Louise came out
and sat by me awhile as lay in the
hammock. She was all in white. A
trifle taller and bit more slender
than her sister. have sometimes
thought her beauty was statelier, also,
and more statuesque. The sight of her
seemed to kindle in me the spirit of
old chivalry. would have fought and
died for her with my best lance and
plume. In all my life l had not seen
woman Of sweeter graces of speech
and manner, and, in truth, have
met some Of the best born of her sex.
She had callers presently-the Sieur
Michel and his daughter. went away,
then. for a walk. and, after a time.
strolled into the north trail. Crossing
messy glade, in circle Of fragrant
cedar, sat down to rest. The sound
of falling water came to my ear
through thickets of hazel and shad-
berry. Suddenly heard sweet voice
singing love-song Of Provence-ths
same voice. the same song, l had heard
the day 1 came half fainting on my
horse. Somebody was coming near. In
moment saw Louise before me.
What, ma'm'selle!" I said; "alone
in the woods!"
mot so" said she. II knew you
were here-somewhere. and-.-and-
well, l thought you might be lonely"
"You are good angel" said. "al.
ways trying to make others happy"
"Eh bien," said she. sitting beside
me, II was lonely myself. cannot
read or study. have neglected my
lessons; have insulted the tutor
threw my book at him, and
walked away, for he sputtered at
me. do not know what is
the matter. l know I am very
wicked. Perhaps-ah me! perhaps it is
the devil"
"Ma'm'selle, it is appalling!" said.
"You may have injured the poor man.
You must be very bad. Let me see
your PALM"
I held her dairy fingers In mine,
that were still hard and brown, peer
ing into the pink hollow of her hand.
She looked up curiously.
"a quick temper and heart Of
gold," said. "If the devil has it, he
is lucky. and-well, should like to
be in his confidence"
'Ah. m'sieur," said she. seriously,
little tremor on her lips, II have
much trouble-you do not know. I
have to fight with myself"
"You have, then, formidable enc
N.Y." I answered
"But am not quarrelsome," said
she, thoughtfully. II am only weary
Of the life here. I should like to go
away and be Of some use in the world.
suppose 1t is wicked, for my papa
wishes me to stay. And bah! it is a
prison-a Hopital de Salpetriere!"
'Ma'm'selle,' exclaimed, eff you
talk like that shall take you on my
horse and fly with you. / shall come
as your knight, as your dellverer, some
day."
"Alas!" said she. with sigh, syou
would find me very heavy. One has
nothing to do here but grow lazy and
--ciel!-fat."
If my meeting with her sister had
not made it impossible and absurd,
should have offered my heart to this
fair young lady then and there. Now l
could not make it seem the part OF
honor and decency. could not help
adoring her simplicity, her frankness.
her beautiful form and face. ~;
st is no prison for me-" said. Il
do not long for deliverance. I cannot
tell how happy I have been. to stay
how unhappy l shall be. to leave. =
Captain" she said quickly. you are
not strong; you are no soldier yet
eyes; l must be off to the wars"
And that suggests an idea," said
she. thought fully, her chin upon her
hand.
(Which ISL"
THAT wealth is my Ill fortune" she
went on, with sigh. Men and wo-
men are fighting and toiling and bleed
ing to- make the world better, and I
Il am just lady, fussing, primping,
peering into looking glass! l should
like to do something, but they think
am too good-too holy"
But it is hard business labora
and quarrels Of the great world"
suggested.
WELT is Gods business" she
continued. "And am not one Of his
children, and 'wist We not that must
be about my Fathers bustness?' II
was not too good for the man who
said that"
"But what would you do?'
II do not know. suppose I can dc
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