Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-02-09

ola chlValry. | would have fought and
died for her with my best lance and
plume. In all my life | had not seen
woman of sweeter graces of speech
ana manner, and, in truth, | have
met some of the best born of her sex.
She had callers presently-the Sieur
Michel and his daughter. | went away,
then, for a walk, and, after a time,
strolled into the north trail. Crossing
messy glade, in a circle of fragrant
cedar, | sat down to rest. The sound
of falling water came to my ear
through thickets of hazel and shad-
berry. Suddenly l heard sweet voice
singing a love-song of PrOvence-the
same voice, the same song, had heard
the day | came half fainting on my
horse. Somebody was coming near. In
a moment | saw Louise before me.
What, ma'm'selle!" l said; "alone
in the woods!"
Not So" said she. 81 knew you
were here-somewhere, and-and-
well, | thought you might be lonely"
You are good angel" l said al
ways trying to make others happy"
''Eh bien," said she. sitting beside
me, Il was lonely myself. l cannot
read or study. | have neglected my
lessons; l have insulted the tutor
threw my book at him, and
walked away, for he sputtered at
me. | do not know what is
the matter. | know | am very
wicked. Perhaps-ah me, perhaps it is
the devil"
"Ma'm'selle, it is appalling!" l said
''You may have injured the poor man
You must be very bad. Let me see
your palm"
| held her dainty fingers in mine,
that were still hard and brown, peer
ing into the pink hollow Of her hand
She looked up curiously.
"a quick temper and a heart of
gold" l said "If the devil has it, he
is lucky, and-well, l should like to
be in his confidence"
'Ah, m'sieur," said she, seriously
little tremor on her lips, Il have
much trouble-you do not know. |
have to fight with myself"
"You have, then, a formidable enc
my" l answered
But l am not quarrelsome," said
she, thoughtfully. Il am only weary
of the life here. | should like to go
away and be of some use in the world.
| suppose it is wicked, for my papa
wishes me to stay. And bah! it is a
prison-a Hopital de Salpetriere!"
Nam selle," l exclaimed, "if you
talk like that | shall take you on my
horse and fly with you. l shall come
as your knight, as your deliverer, some
day"
"Alas!" said she, with a sigh, you
would find me very heavy. One has
nothing to do here but grow lazy and
-ciel!-fat"
If my meeting with her sister had
not made it impossible and absurd, |
should have offered my heart to this
fair young lady then and there. Now /
could not make 1t seem the part of
honor and decency. l could not help
adoring her simplicity, her frankness,
her beautiful form and face.
1T is no prison for me-" said. 81
bO ilOl iOllS lOI uGllN duCt. tduIOl
tell you how happy have been to stay
how unhappy | shall be to leave"
Captain" she said quickly, you are
not strong; you are no soldier yet"
Yes; | must be off to the wars"
And that suggests an idea," said
she, though htfully, her chin upon her
hand.
Which is?"
That wealth is my i'll fortune" she
went on, with a sigh. Men and wo-
men are fighting and toiling and bleed
ing to make the world better, and |
i am just lady. fussing, primping,
peering into a looking glass; l should
like to do something. but they think
| am too good-too holy"
But it is a hard business-the labors
and quarrels Of the great world" l
suggested.
'Well-it is Gods business" she
continued. And am I not one of his
children, and 'wist ye not that | must
be about my Fathers business? 1t
was not too good for the man who
said that"
DuI "HdI WOulu you 90
Il do not know. l suppose l can do
nothing because-alas! because my
father has bought my obedience with
a million francs. Do you not see that
am in bondage?"
BE patient; the life of rich de-
moiselle is not barren of opportuni-
ty."
'To be gay-oh! one might as we'll
be peacock; to say pretty things,
one might better be well trained par
rot; to grace the court or the salon,
had as soon be a statue in the corner
it has more comfort, more security;
to be admired, to hear fine compliments
well, you know that is the part of
pet poodle I say, captain, to be
happy one must be free to do
| looked into her big eyes, that were
full of their new discovery.
Il should like to be among the
wounded soldiers" said Sha ber facn