Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-14

coach-horn, the merry laughter Of
ladies under my window, the prancing
hoofs, and the crack of the whip as
they all went away. It surprised me
greatly to find Louise at the breakfast
table when I came below-stairs; l
shall not try to say how much it
pleased me-. She was gowned in pink,
red rose at her bosom. remember
as If it were yesterday, the bright
ness of her big eyes, the glow in her
cheeks. the sweet dignity of her tall,
fine figure when she rose and gave
me her hand.
II did feel sorry, ma'm'selle, that l
could not go; but now-now am
happy" was my remark.
"Oh captain. you are very gallant"
said she, as we took seats. II was not
in the mood for merrymaking, and
then, am reading book"
"a book! May Its covers be the
gates Of happiness" I answered.
"Eh bien! it is a tale of love-" said
she.
"Of man for woman" inquired.
"Of lady that loved two knights,
and knew not which the better.
as 1t possible and-and reasonable?"
I inquired. "In a tale things should
go as-well, as God plans them"
quite possible" said she, ''for in
such thing as love who knows what
what may happen?
Except he have wide experience"
answered.
"And have Gods eyes," said she.
''Let me tell you. They were both hand
some, brave, splendid, of course, but
there was difference: the one had
q more perfect beauty Of form and face,
the other a nobler SOUL"
And which will she favor?"
"Alas! have not read, and do not
know her enough to judge" was the
answer; "but shall hate her II she
does not take him with the better
SOUL"
"And whyr could hear my heart
beating.
Love is not love unless it be-" She
paused. thinking. "Dieu! from soul to
SOUL" she added feelingly.
She was looking down, q white, tap
cred finger stirring the red petals Of
the rose. Then she spoke In q low.
sweet tone that trembled with holy
feeling and cut me like sword Of
the spirit going to its very hilt in my
soul.
Love looks to what is NOBLE" said
she, "or It Is vain-it is wicked; II
fails: It dies in day, like the rose.
1
What II 1t be hopsless1" whis-
pered.
"Ah! then 1t Il very bitter" said
she, her voice diminishing. TT may
kill the body, but-but love does not
die. When 1t comes"
There was breath Of silence that
had in It strange harmony not Of this
world.
"'When it comes'?" I whispered.
"You see the coming Of great king.
said she, looking down thoughtfully.
her chin upon her hand.
"And all people bow their heads.
i said.
EYES," she added, with sigh. ''tc
give their bodies to be burned, u he
ask It, The king u crusl-somst1mss. y
'Disui" said Tie has many can-
tives.'
She broke spEig Of fern, twtritng Il
In her fingers: her big eyes looked up
ct me, and saw, I know, to the bottom
Of my soul.
j But long live the king!" said she.
her lips trembling. her cheeks az red ~
the rose upon her bosom.
j Long live the kingl" l murmured
| We dared 60 no farther. Sweet phil
osopAsr. inspired Of Heaven. could
not bear the look Of her. and rose
quickly with dim eyes and went out Of
the open door. A revelation had come
to me. Mere de Dieu! how loved
that woman so fashioned in thy imagel
She followed me, and laid her hand up
on my arm tenderly, while SHOOK
with emotion.
j Captain" said she. in that sweet
voice, captain. what have done?"
It was the first day Of the Indian
summer, q memorable season that year
when according to an old legend. the
Great Father sits Idly on the noun
tain-tops and blows the smoke Of hil
long pipe into the valleys. In mo
ment was quite calm. and stood look
ing of to the hazy hollows Of the IA
; field. gave her my arm and withou
speaking, We walked slowly down
garden path. For time neither brok
tie silence.
: x did not know did not know,
,she whispered presently.
"And iS>mHst--tell you" said brok
;enly, that i-~that L"
"Hush-sh-sh!" she whispered. he
hand over my lbs. Say no more
say no more! If it is tlSe, go-so quick
~, beg of you'll"
| There was such note of leaaing II
lter voice, hear it, after all tlNs ION
time, in the hushed moments OF W
life, night. or day. "Go-go quickly.
beg OF you!" We were both nea
breaking down.
"vive le roi!" whispered. taking
her hand.
"yiw 1s rolf" she whispered. turn
| Ing avpd.
lTohs continued!