Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-02-17
paI ln y
D'ri and / |
By IRVING BACHELLER
Author G.; Ebea Holden" Darrell Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.

She turned with a 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. l have mind to
run" said backing off.
please do not rum she answered
quickly. 81 should be afraid that
that"
She hesitated a moment, stirring the
moss with one dainty foot.
"That you might not return" she
added, smiling as she looked at me-
"Then-then perhaps it will do as
well if I climb a tree"
NO no; I wish to talk with you"
Nam 'selle, you honor me-" l said.
And dishonor myself, | presume,
with so much boldness," she went on.
ut is only that l have something to
say; and you know when a woman has
something toto say"
1T is a fool that does not listen if
she be as fair as you" put in.
"You are-well. shall not say what
l think of you, for fear-for fear of
giving offense," said she, blushing as
she spoke. DO you like the life of
soldier?"
Very much, and especially when
am wounded, with such excellent care
and company"
But your side-it was horribly torn.
/ did feel very sorry-indeed | did.
You will go again to the war;"
"Unless-unless- All, yes, mann
selle, shall go again to the war;" l
stammered, going to the brink of con-
fession, only to back away from it, as
the blood came hot to my cheeks.
She broke a tiny bouSh and began
stripping its leaves.
Tell me, do you love the baroness?"
she inquired al she whipped a sway
ing bush of blier.
The question amazed me- ! laughed
nervOusly.
Il respect, admire the good wo-
man-she would make an excellent
mother" was my answer
We'll spoken!" she said, clapping
her hands. 81 thought you were fool.
l did not know whether you were to
blame or-or the Creator"
"Or the baroness" | added laughing.
well" said she, with pretty shrug,
"is there not man for every wo-
man? The baroness thinks she is ir-
resistible. She has money. She would
like to buy you for a plaything-to
marry you. But | say beware. She
is more terrible than the keeper of
the Bastile. And you-you are too
yOung!"
my dear girl" said l, in voice of
pleading, 1T is terrible. Save me!
Save me, pray you,"
Pooh! | do not care."-with a
gesture of Indifference. Il am trying
to save myself. that is all"
From WHAT"
another relative. Parbleu! l have
enough" She stamped her foot i'm
patiently as she spoke. Il should be
very terrible to you. | should say the
meanest things. | should call you
grandpapa and give you new cane
every Christmas.
"And if you gave me also smile,
l should be content"
More than once | was near de-
claring myself that day, but
had a mighty fear she was play
ing with me and | held my tongue.
There was an odd light in her eyes.
l knew not, then, what it meant.
you are easily satisfied" was her
answer.
Il am to leave soon," said. May
/ not see you here tomorrow"
ALAS. l do not think you can," was
her answer
and why not?"
Because it would not be proper"
said she, smiling as she looked up at
me.
mot proper | should like to know
why"
TT would make me break another en-
gagement," she went on laughing. 81
am to go with the baroness TO meet
the count if he comes-she has COM