The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-03-18

80 brilliant, so fascinating, 1t kindled
great fire in me the moment l saw
1t. They said little, but seemed to
have much interest in all the talk Of
the table. looked 1t them more than
was polite, am sure, but they looked
at mo quite as often. They had big,
beautiful brown eyes, and dark hair
fastened high with jewelled pins. and
profiles like those Of the fair ladies
Of Sir Peter Lely, so finely were they
cut. One had form a bit fuller and
stronger than the others, but they
were both as tall and trim as young
beech, with lips cherry-red and cheeks
where one could see family the glow of
their young blood. Their gowns were
cut low, showing the graceful lines Of
neck and shoulder and full bosom.
had seen pretty girls, many of them,
but few highbred, beautiful young
women. The moment saw these two
some new and mighty force came into
me. There were wine and wit a plenty
ut the counts table, and other things
that were also new to me, and for
which l retained perhaps too great q
fondness.
The count asked me to tell of our
journey. and l told the story with all
the spirit l could put into my words.
l am happy to say it did seem to hit
the mark, for l was no sooner done
with our adventure than the ladies
began to clap their hands, and the
Misses de Lambert had much delight
In their faces when the baroness re-
told my story in French.
Dinner over, the count invited me
to the smoking-room, where, in a cor
ner by ourselves, l had some talk with
him. He told me of his father-that
he had been a friend of Franklin,
that he had given ship and cargo of
others l had met under his roof, the
count had seen the coming Of the Reign
of Terror in France, and had fled with
his great fortune. He had invested
much Of 1t there in the wild country.
He loved America, and had given free
ly to equip the army for war. He
was, therefore, a man Of much influ-
ence in the campaign Of the north,
and no doubt those in authority there
were instructed while the war was on,
to take special care OF his property.
"And will you please tell me-" said
at length, "who are the Misses de Lam
hertz"
Daughters of friend in Paris"
said the count. "Ile is a great physi-
clan. He wishes not for them to mar
ry Until they are 81. Mon Dieu! it
was matter of some difficulty. They
were beautiful"
every beautiful" echoed.
'"They are admired" he went on.
,"The young men they began to make
trouble. My friend he send them
here, with the baroness, to study--to
finish their education. 1t is healthy
1t is quiet, and-well, there are no
young gentlemen. They go to bed
early; they are up at daylight; they
have the horse! they have boats; they
amuse themselves YER much. But
they are impatient; they long for
Paris-thc salon, the theater, the
opera. They are like prisoners: they
cannot make themselves contented.
The baroness she has her villa on a
lake back in the woods, and, mon ame!
it is beautiful theresa still, so COOL
80 delightful! At present they have a
great fear of the British. They lie
awake; they hear sound in the night,
and, mon Dieu! it is the soldiers COM
Ing"
The count laughed, lifting his Shout
ders with a gesture Of both hands,
Then he pulled thoughtfully at his Gig
arctic.
Indeed" he went on presently, II
think the invasion is not far away.
They tell me the woods in the north
are alive with British cavalry. I am
not able to tell how many, but, Dieu!
It is enough. The army should inform
itself Immediately. think 1t is bet
ter that you penetrate to the river to-
morrow. II you are no afraid, to sec
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