Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-17

HeSL Sne ndQ It moved careIully aIter nightfall, under bit of netting. and fastened somewhere about the gables. : Around the Hermitage were many
 withered boughs and briers holding cones of wrought fiber, each citadel 1 of these uniformed soldiers of the air and the poisoned arrow. They were assembled in colonies of yellow, white, blue. and black wasps. and white- 1 faced hornets. She had no fear of them. and, indeed, no one of the house. hold was ever stung to my knowledge. I have seen her stand in front of her door and feed them out of saucer. There were special favorites that would light upon her palm, overrun- ming its pink hollow and gorgng at 1 the honeydrop.
 ] They will never sting" she would say. If one does not declare war Tc strike. to make any quick motion, it i gives them anger. Then, mon cher 1 ami. it is terrible. They cause you ! to burn. to ache, to make great noise. l and even to lie down upon the ground. i If people come to see me, if get a new servant. I say: Make to them no , attention, and they will not harm 1 you'"
 ! In the house I 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 poison-dagger. Now. said she. "he is angry; he will remember. If I release him he will sting me when I come near him again. So I do not permit him to i 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 Parisian mob, a night in the Reign of Terror Late in the afternoon I walked awhile in the grove with him. When he left went slow ly down the trail over which I had ridden. My strength was coming fast. l felt like an idle man. shirking the saddle, when I should be serving my country. l must to my horse and make an end to dallying. With thoughts like these for company. went farther than I intended. Returning over the /, bushy trail I suddenly came upon Louison! She was neatly gowned in pink and white.
 ''Le diable." said she. "You sur prise me. I thought you went another way"
 ''Or you would have not have taken this one," I said.
 "Of course not" said she. One does | not wish to find men if she is hunting for-for-" she hesiiated a moment, | tlushing-"mon Dieu! for bears." she 1 added
 thought then, as her beautiful eyes looked up at me smiling. that she was incomparable. that loved her above all others-I felt sure of it.
 And why do you hunt bears?" in quired
 T do not know. think it is be- cause they are so-so beautiful. so ! amiable." she answered
 And such good companions.
 Yes; they never embarrass you," she went on. You never feel at loss | for a word'
 "T 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. I desire to intimidate you. {. Won't you please be afraid of me? Tn- deed, I can be very terrible. See. I have sharp teeth" |
 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. have a mind to run I said. backing off
 Please do not run" she answered quickly. Il should be afraid that that"
 She hesitated moment. stirring the moss with one dainty foot.
 That you might not return" she added. snving as she looked at me.
 "Then-then perhaps it will do as we'll if I climb a tree
 No. no: I wish to talk with you
 ''Ma'm'selle. you honor me-" I said.
 And dishonor myself. I presume. with so much boldness." she went on. Tt is only that I have something 10 say: and you know when woman has something toto say
 ''lt is fool that does not listen if she be as fair as you put in.
 'You are-well. I shall not say what I think of you. for fear-for fear of giving offense." said she. blushing as she spoke Do you like the life of a soldier"
 Very much. and especially when ! am wounded. with such excellent care and company"
 But your side-it was horribly torn. l did feel very sorry-indeed I did. You will go again to the war;
 rnless-unless- An. yes. mann