The Irish standard., 1905-06-24

Alas. you are a very silent mani"
said she, presently. with a little sigh.
''Only thinking" said.
"Of what?"
"Dieu! of the dead summer" I con-
tinNed.
Believe me, it does not pay to
think" she interrupted. Il tried it
once, and made sad discovery"
"Of what?"
"a fool" said she, laughing.
II should think tit might have
been coquette." said 1, lightly.
'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.
NO; but you are young and-and.
beautiful, and"
"What?" she broke in impatiently,
! as l hesitated. Il long to know"
Men will love you in spite of all
you can do" added.
"Captain!" said she, turning her
face away.
MANY will love you. and-and you
can choose only one-a very hard
thing to do-possibly."
Not hard,' said she, "if see the
right one-and-and-he loves me al
, 60"
I had kept myself well in hand, for
| 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 so
winning. and then, was it not easy to
ask if l were the lucky one? She
knew loved her, knew that she had
loved me, and I might as we'll con-
fess. But no; was not ready.
"You must be stern with the others;
you must not let them tell you,"
went on.
"Ciel!" said she, laughing, zone
might rs we'll go to a nunnery. May
not 81 girl enjoy her beauty? 1t is
sweet to her."
But do not make it bitter for the
poor men. Dieu! l am one Of them.
and know. their SORROWS"
"And you-you have been in love?"
Desperately" I answered, clinging
by the finger-tips. Somehow we kept
drifting into fateflll moments when q
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 a power quite
irresistible. shut my eyes moment,
cIIrnsnpy,iny al r,,u for~oo rIbrrno ,,,o,
only step between me and-God
knows what!
Captain, you are foolish fellow,"l
said she. with little shudder. "Anfl
well, I am cold. Parbleu! feel my
hand"
She hsd drawn her glove quickly,
and held! ont her hand, white and hea,!-
tifnl. dainty finger in a gorget Of
gems. That little cold. trembling
lsohd seemed to lay hold Of my heart
and pulled me to her. As my lips
touched the palm felt It's mighty
magic. Dear girl! wonder If she
planned that trial for me-
1--WE "st-rfde-faster. You-you
are cold" I stammercd.
She held her hand SO that the sun
light flashed on the jewels. and looked
down upon it proudly.
"Do you think it beautiful?" she
asked.
eyes. and wonderful" said. "But,
mark me, 1t is all a sacred trust-the
beauty you have"
"Sacred?"
"More sacred than the power of
kings" said
"Preacher!" said she. with a smile.
"You should give yourself to the
church"
~ can do better with the sword of
Steel" l said.
But do not be sad. Cheer up, dear
fellDw!" she went on, patting my ell
bow with pretty mockery. eve wo-
men are not-not SO bad. When l
find the man love-
Her voice faltercd as she began fuss
Ing with her stirrup.
turned with look of inquiry.
changing quickly to one of admiration.
II shall make him love me, if I
cam" she went on soberly.
"And if he does?" l queried, my
blood quickening as our eyes met
"Dieu! l would do anything for him"
said she.
l turned away. looking of at the
brown fields. All. then, for breath,
my heart begged my will for utterauce.
The first word passed my lipsswhen
there came the sound of gallooing
hoofs and Therese and the marquis.
Come, dreamers," said the former.
as they pulled up beside us. "a cold
dinner is the worst enemy of happi-
ness"
And he is the worst robber that
'shortens the hour of love-" said the
marquis. smiling.
We turned, following them at a
swift gallop. They had helped me out
OF that mfre Of ecstasy. and now was
glad. for. on my soul. believed the
fair girl had one more to her liking,
and was only playing for my scalp.
And at last had begun to know my
own heart. or thought had.
D'rf came over that evening with
letter from Gen. Brown. He desired
me to report for duty next day or two.
ITO Be Continued.l