The Irish standard., 1905-04-01
- '-'-',..'.'''.'6iAi :,
:. D'ri and I
By IRVING BACHELOR
Author Of Eben Holden" Darrell Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.
CHAPTER v1I1.-CoSr1suEp.
Copyright, 1901. by Lothrop Publishing Company.

''They will never sting" she would
say, IF one does not declare war. To
| strike, to make any quick motion, 1t
gives them anger. Then, mon cher
ami! it is terrible. They cause you
to burn, to ache, to make great noise,
and even to lie down upon the ground.
II people come to see me, if get
new servant, say: Make to them no
attention, and they will not harm
you.'"
In the house have seen her catch
one by the wings on window and,
holding it carefully ask me to watch
her captive-sometimes a great dare
devil hornet, lion-maned-as he lay
stabbing with his poson-dagger.
'Now," said she, che is angry; he
will remember. If release him he
will sting me when come near him
again. So 1 do not permit him to
live-I kill him.
Then she would impale him and in
vite me to look at him with the mi
croscope.
One day the baroness went away to
town with the young ladies. was
quite alone with the servants. Father
Joulin of the chateau came over and sat
awhile with me, and told me how he
had escaped the Partisan mob, a night
in the Reign of Terror. Late in the
afternoon walked awhile in the grove
with him. When he left l went slow
1y down the trail over which 1 had
ridden. My strength was coming fast.
] felt like an idle man, Sinking the
saddle, when I should be serving my
country. Unjust to my horse and make
an end to dallying. With thoughts
like these for company, went farther
than l intended. Returning over the
bushy trail l suddenly came upon
Louison! She was neatly gowned in
pink and white.
Gle diable!" said She "You sur
prise me. l thought you went another
way"
COR you would have not have taken
this one" said.
"Of course not" said she Gone does
not wish to find men if she is huntin"
for-for-" she hesitated moment,
hlushing-"mon Dieu! for BEARS" she
added.
thought then, as her beautiful eyes
looked up at nc smiling, that she was
incompatible, that loved her above
all others-I felt sure of it.
"And why do you hunt bears?" in
quired.
81 do not know. I think it is be-
cause they are $3.50 beautiful, so
amiable!" she answered.
"And such good companions"
"Ycs; they never embarrass you,"
she went on. "You never feel at loss
for word"
II fear you do not know BEARS"
"Dieu! better than men. voila!"
she exclaimed, touching me with the
end of her parasol "You are not so
terrible l do not think you would
bite"
"No; have never bitten anything
but-but bread and doughnuts, or
something Of that sort"
Come, desire to intimidate you.
Won't you please be afraid of me? In
deed, can be very terrible. See!
have sharp teeth"
She turned with q playful growl,
and parting her crimson lips, showed
them to me-white and shapely, and
as even as if they had been wrought of
ivory. She knew they were beautiful,
the vixen.
"You terrify me ] have q mind to
run," l said, backing off.
please do not rum she answered
quickly. 81 should be afraid that
that"
| She hesitated moment, stirring the
moss with one dainty foot
'"That you might not return" she
added, smiling as she looked at me-
'"Then-then perhaps 1t will do as
well if climb tree"
mo, no; wish to talk with you"
"Ma'm'selle, you honor me-" said.
"And dishonor myself, l presume,
with so much boldness," she went on.
1T is only that l have something to
say; and you know when woman has
something TOTO say"
"It is a fool that does not listen if
she be as fair as you," l put in.
"You are-well l shall not say what
think Of you, for fear-for fear of
giving offense," said she, blushing as.
she spoke. ''Do you like the life of
soldier?"
Every much, and especially when l
am wounded, with such excellent care
and company"
s but your side-it was horribly torn.
did feel very sorry-indeed I did.
You will go again to the war;"
"Unless-unless- All, yes, mann
selle, I shall go again to the war;" I
stammered, going to the brink of con-
fession, only to back away from it, as
the blood came hot to my cheeks.
| She broke tiny bough and began
stripping it's leaves
"Tell me, do you love the baroness?"
she inquired as she whipped a sway
ing bush of brier.
| The question amazed me. 1 laughed
nervously.
II respect, 1 admire the good wo-
man-she would make an excellent
| mother" was my answer.
"Well spoken!" she said, clapping
her hands. II thought you were fool.
l did not know whether you were to
4 blame or-or the Creator"
cor the baroness" added laughing.
"Well," said she, with a pretty shrug,
! lis there not man for every wo-
mon? The baroness thinks she is IT.