Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-08-09
her hand upon my arm, looking proud,
~ 1t her father. B #=s8S .55 as. ].
ESS q Nv 90 ~ IN On ~ Oh = str1f n x,rH,,

her hand upon my arm, looking proud,
" 1t her father. .5s5S !.
s My captain! Z" said she. Did you
ever see handsomer Frenchmanl'
There are many. and here 10 one.
said he, turning to the young count
who stood behind him fine youth
tall, strong built. well-spoken. with
blond hair and dark. keen eyes. i id.
NIT frankly I had not seen . better
figure Of. q man. assure you, he had
the form Of Hercules. the eye Of Mars
It was an eye to command women;
for had small reason to admire his
courage when knew him better. He
took q hand of each young lady, and
kissed it with admirable gallantry.
Dieu! It Is not so easy always tc
agree with ones father said Louison
We went riding that afternoon
Therese and her marquis and Louison
and l. The first two went ahead of us;
We rode slowly, and for time no word
was spoken. Winds had stripped the
timber, and swept its harvest to the
walls and hollows, where It lay bleach
ing In the sun. Birch and oak and
maple We're holding barred arms to the
wind, as If to tougher them for storm
and stress. l felt a mighty sadness,
wondering II my own arms were quite
seasoned for all that was to come.
The merry-hearted girl beside me was
ever like a day of June-the color
OF the rose in$her cheek, its odor al
ways In her hair and lace. There was
never an hour of autumn in her life.
"Alas, you are a very silent mani"
said she, presently, with q little sigh.
"Only thinking" said. ~
''Of what?'
"Dieu! Of the dead summer. con-
tinued.
Believe me, it does not pay to
think" she interrupted. Il tried it
once, and made q sad discovery"
'tOf what?'' : +. "
"A fool" said she, laughing.
Il should think tit might have
been coquette," said I, lightly.
I"Why, upon my word" said she,
Il believe you misjudge me. Do you
think me heartless?"
For the first time saw a shadow in
her face.
mo; but you are young and-and
beautiful, and"
.- WHAT" she broke in impatiently.
as I hesitated. Il long to- know"
Men will love you in spite of all
you can do" I added.
"Captain!" said she, turning her
face away. $685.
'Many will love you, and-and YIN
can choose only one-a very hard
thing to do-possibly.'
mot hard" said she, IF I see the
right one-and-and-he loves me al
So"
I had kept myself well in hand, for
I was full of doubts that day; but the
clever girl came near taking me, horse,
foot. and guns, that moment. She
spoke so charmingly, she looked 30
winning, and then; was it not easy to
ask it I were the lucky. one? She
knew loved her, knew that she had
loved me, and might as we'll con-
TESS. But no; I was not. ready. ~
: "You must be stern with the others:
you must not let them tell you,"
went on. /:
"Ciel!" said she, laughing, lone
might as well go to-a nunnery. May
not a girl enjoy her beauty It is
sweet to5her. "yi$ ~ - ;=~ssy
But do not make It bitter for the
poor men. Dieu! I am one If them.
and know their sorrows.' y: s>t:2'I:.:s ,.sis
And you-you have been: IN love?''
Desperately" I answered, clinging
by the finger-tips. Somehow we kept
drifting into fateful moments when a
word even might have changed all that
has been our life way, the skies above
us, the friends we have known, our
loves, our very souls.
She" turned, smiling, her beauty
flashing up at me with power quite
Irresistible. I shut my eyes a moment,
summoning all my forces. There was
only a step between me and-God
knows what! :'':- .'..' -,
Captain, you are foolish fellow"
said she. with little shudder. ""And
well, am cold. Parbleu! feel; my
hand"
She had drawn her glove quickly,
and held out her hand, white and>beau-
tiful, a dainty finger in gorget of
gems. That little cold, trembling
hand seemed to lay hold of my heart
and pulled me to her: AS my lips
touched the palm felt its mighty
magic. Dear girl! T wonder If she
planned that trial for me. ~
1--WE must ride-faater. You--:you
are cold" stammered.
She held her hand SO that the sun
light flashed on the jewels, and looked
down upon it proudly. 80 y"
do you think 1t beautiful?" uhe
asked.
eyes, and wonderful" said. "But,
mark me, it is all a sacred trust the
beauty you have" : -. =.
.'Sacred?' :
More sacred than tho power Of
kings said. !. T..
: Preacher" said she, with smile.
You should give yourself to the
church" - T
Il can do better with. the sword of
STEEL" said. :. " >..:.:.;.:.,,. - :
But do not be sad. Cheer up, dear
fellow!" she went on, patting my ell
bow with pretty mockery. 1--WE wo-
men are not-not so. bad. When I
And the man + lnvo - 80.