The Irish standard., 1905-07-01
>
D'ri and /
By IRVING BACHELOR
Author Of "Eben Holden" Darrell Of
tho Blessed Isles" Etc.
CHAPTER xx1v.-CoSr1NuEp.
Copyright 1901. by Lothrop Publishing Company


"War-it is forever war;" said
Therese, when told her at dinner.
"There is to be a party to-
morrow, and We shall miss you, cap
tain"
Can you not soon return?" said the
baroness.
81 fear not" was my answer. ut is
to be long campaign"
ooh, the war! When will 1t ever
end?" said Louise. signing.
When we are all dead" said
Louison.
"Of loneliness?" said the old count.
with smile.
"No; of old age" said Louison.
quickly.
When the army goes into Canada
It will 60 into trouble" said the Comte
de Chaumont. speaking in French.
I'VE shall have to get you out of cap
tivity. captain"
Louise would rescue him." said her
sister. "She has influence there"
Would pay my ransom?" In
quired. turning to her.
with my life," said she. solemnly.
Greater love hath no man than this"
said the good Pere Joulin, smiling as
the others laughed.
"And none has greater obligation"
said Louise. blushing with embarrass-
ment. HAS he not brought US three
OUT of captivity"
well, II am taken," said. moth
ing can bring me back unless 1t be-"
"a miracle?" the baroness prompted
as I paused.
Eyes; even a resurrection" was my
answer. Il know what it means for
man to be captured there these days"
Louise sat beside me. and I saw
what others failed to notice-her nap
kin stop quickly on its way to her lips,
her hand tighten as it held the white
linen. 1t made me regretful of my
thoughtless answer. but oddly happy
for moment. Then they all be-
sought me for some adventure of
those old days in the army. l told
them the story Of the Nasps. and, when
had finished, our baroness told of the
trouble it led to-their capture and
imprisonment.
at was very strange" said she, in
conclusion. "That Englishman grew
kinder every day we were there, until
we began to feel at home"
They were all mystifed but
thought l could understand it. We
had long evening of music, and l
babe them all good-by before going to
bed, for they were to be off early.
Well, the morning came clear, and
before I was out of bed I heard the
coach-horn, the merry laughter Of
ladies under my window, the prancing
hoofs, and the crack of the whip as
they all went away. 1t surprised me
greatly to find Louise at the breakfast
table when l came below-stairs; l
shall not try to say how much it
| pleased me. She was gowned in pink,
a red rose at her bosom. I 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 'selle, that
could not go; but now-now I am
happy" was my remark.
ooh captain, you are very gallant"
said she, as we took seats. II was not
in the mood for merrymaking, and
then, am reading o book"
"a book! May it's covers be the
gates of happiness" answered.
"Eh bien! it is tale of love-" said
She
"Of man for woman?" inquired.
"Of lady that loved two knights,
and knew not which the better"
"Is it possible and-and reasonable?"
l inquired "Jn 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 nappen?"
Except he have wide experience"
l answered.
"And have Gods eyes," said she.
LET me tell you. They We're both hand
some, brave, splendid, of course, but
there was difference: the one had
a 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 If she
does not take him with the bette:
SOUL"
"And why?" 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, white, tap
cred finger stirring the red petals Of
the rose Then she spoke in low,
sweet tone that trembled with holy
feeling and cut me like sword of
the spirit going to its very hilt in my
soul.
"Lcve looks to what is NOBLE" said
she, cor it is vain--it is wicked; it
fails: 1t dies in day, like the rose.
True love, that is forever"
what If it be hopeless?" whis-
pered.
"Ah! then it is very bitter" said
she, her voice diminishing. ut may
kill the body, but-hut love does not
die. When it comes"
There was breath of silence that
had in 1t q strange harmony not of this
world.
"'When it comes'?" whispered.
"You see the coming of great king"
said she, looking down thoughtfully,
her chin ,tnOn he1. hand