The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-05-04

DO you want to enter the boot trade
also?" asked Steinmetz cheerfully, in
lowered voice.
Heaven forbidv' cried the countess.
'"Then let us talk of safer things"
The short twilight was already
brooding over the land. The room,
lighted only by small square windows,
grew darker and darker until Catrina
rang for lamps.
II hate dark room,'' she said short
~ to Maggie.
When De ChauXville came in q few
minutes later Catrina was at the piano.
The room was brilliantly lighted, and
on the table cleaned and glittered the
silver tea things. The intermediate
meal had been disposed of, but the
samovar had been left alight as is the
habit at Russian afternoon teas.
Catrina looked up when the French
man entered, but did not cease play
ing
There is no need for introductions, l
Think said the countess.
eve all know NJ de Chauxville," re-
piled Paul quietly, and the two men
exchanged glance.
De Chauxville shook hands with the
newcomers and while the countess pre-
pared tea for him launched into a long
description Of the preparations for the
bear hunt Of the following day.
The Frenchman was really full Of in
formation and enthusiasm. There were
many details upon which he required
Paufs advice, and the two men talked
together with less constraint than they
had hitherto done. De Chauxville had
picked up vast deal of technical mat
ter and handled his little knowledge
with 4 skill which babe fair to deprive
1t of it's proverbial danger He pres
emily left Steinmetz, and the prince en-
gagged in controversy with the coun-
tess as to meeting place at the lunch
con hour.
Maggie and Catrina were at the pi-
ano. Eta was looking at a book Of
photographs.
"a charming house, princess said
De ChauXville in voice that all could
hear while the music happened to be
soft. But Catrina's music was more
remarkable for strength than for soft
ness.
''Charming,' replied Eta.
The music rose into swelling burst
of harmonious chords.
Il must see you, princess said De
ChauXville.
Eta glanced across the room toward
her husband and Steinmetz.
"Alone," added the Frenchman cool
ly.
Eta turned page Of the album and
looked critically into a photograph.
"MustT" she said, with a little frown
"Mustv' repeated De Chauxville.
"a word I do not care about" said
Eta, with raised eyebrows.
The music was soft again.
ut is ten years since I held a rifle"
said De Chauxville. "Ah, madame, you
do not know the excitement. I pity
ladies, for they have no sport-no big
game''sz-
{ Personally, monsieur answered
Eta, with a bright laugh, Il do not
grudge you your big game. Suppose
you miss the bear, or whatever it may
be-"
'Then," said De Chauxville, with a
brave shrug Of the shoulders, ''it is the
turn of the bear. The excitement is
his-the laugh is with him.
Catrina's foot was upon the loud
pedal again.
Nevertheless, madame" said De
Chauxville, Il make SO bold as to use
the word. You perhaps know me well
enough to be aware that 1 am rarely
bold unless my ground is sure''
II should not boast of it," answered
Eta. There is nothing to be proud of.
1t is easy enough to be bold if you are
certain of victory"
"When defeat would be intolerable,
even certain victory requires care!
And l cannot afford to lose.''
"Lose what?" inquired Eta.
De Chauxville looked at her, but he
lid not answer. The music was soft
again.
II suppose that at Osterno you set
no value upon bear skin," he said
after a pause.
1--WE have many admitted Eta.
'But love fur or trophies of any de-
scription. Paul has killed great deal"
"Ah!'
Yes answered Eta, and the music
rose again. II should like to know"
she vent on, upon what assumption
you make use of a word which does
not often-annoy me''
Il have a good memory, madame.
Besides -he paused, looking round the
room - there are associations within
these walls which stimulate the mem
ory."
What do you mean?' asked Eta. in
hard voice. The hand holding the
album suddenly shook like leaf in
the wind
De Chauxville had stood upright, his
hand at his mustache, after the man
ner OF man whose small talk is ex-
hausted. It would appear that he was
wondering how he could gracefully get
away from the princess to pay his de-
VU<,Ss Ill