The Irish standard., 1905-04-01

how unhappy 4'shall be to leave"
Captain" she said quickly, you are
not strong; you are no soldier yet." y
eyes; l must be off to the wars"
"And that suggests an idea," said
she, thoughtfully. her chin upon her
hand.
(Which is?"
'That wealth is my i'll fortune" she
went on, with sigh. men and wo-
men are fighting and toiling and bleed
,, Ing to make the world better, and I
Il am just lady, fussing, primpinE,
peering into looking glass! should
like to do something, but they think
am too good-too holy"
'But it is hard business-the labors
| and quarrels of the great world" I
suggested.
'Well-it is Gods business" she
/, continued. "And am l not one Of his
children, and 'wist We not that must
be about my Fathers business?' Il
was not too good for the man whe
said that"
! But what would you do?"
| Il do not know. suppose can do
nothing because-alas! because my
father has bought my obedience with
a million francs. Do you not see that
| I am in bondage?"
| BE patient; the life of a rich de-
moiselle is not barren Of opportuni-
ty."
TO be gay-oh! one might as wen
be a peacock; to say pretty things,
one might better be we'll trained par
rot; to grace the court or the salon,
l had as soon be q statue in the corner
I 1T has more comfort, more security;
, to be admired, to hear fine compliments
well, you know that is the part of
a 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.
81 should like to be among the
wounded soldiers" said she, her face
/ Frightening. "It did make me very
, happy to sit by your bedside and do
for YOU"
There was a very tender look in her
eyes then.
/ She started to rise. A brier, stirring
in the breeze, had fallen across her
hair. She let me loose the thorns and,
doing so. I kissed her forehead-r
could not help it.
"M'sicnr!" she exclaimed in a whis-
per- Then she turned quickly away
and stood tearing q leaf in her fingers
"Forgive mot" | pleaded. for I saw
that she was crying. TT was tho i'm
pulse Of a moment. Pray forgive me!"
She stood slotionless and made no
answer. never felt such a stir in
me, for | bad q fear, terrible fear,
that had lost what I might never have
again.
ut was honorable admiration"
continued, rising to my full height be-
side her. "rell me, ma m'sclle, have
hurt you?"
"No," said she in voice that trem-
bled. "I am thinEing-I am thinking
Of somebody else"
The words spoken so slowly, SO
swcetly, seemed. nevertheless, to fly
at me. "Of somebody else!" Whom
could she mean? Had her sister told
her? Did she know of my meeting
with Louison? I was about to confess
how deeply. how tcnderly, loved her.
had spoken the first word when this
thought flashed upon me- and l halted,
could not go on.
Main selle," l said. "I-I-if it is /
Of whom you are thinking, give me
only your pity, and l can he content
Sometime, perhaps, l may deserve
more. Ii | can be Of any service to
you, send for me-command me. You
shall see that l am not ungratefuL
All, ma 'sellc.' | continued as
stood to my full height, and felt a
mighty upift in my heart that seemed
to toss the words out Of me, II have
a strong arm and good sword, and the
love of honor and fair women"
She wiped her eyes, and turned and
sick soldier.
1T is like a beautiful story" she
said tholshtfuly; ''and you-you are
like knight Of old. We must go home.
1t is long past luncheon hour. We
must hurry"
She gave me her arm up the hill,
and we walked without speaking.
Il am very we'll to-day" remarked
as we came to the road. "If you will
will wah here until l get to the big
birch, | shall go around to see if l
can beat you to the door"
1T is not necessary" said she, smil-
ing, 'and-and, msieur, l am not
ashamed of you or of what l have
DONE"
The baroness and Louison had not
yet returned. M. Pidgeon was at
luncheon with us in the big dining
room, and had much to say of the
mighty Napoleon and the coalition he
was then fighting.
The great monsieur stayed through
the afternoon, as the baroness had
planned big houseparty for the night.
in celebration Of the counts return.
My best clothes had come by messen-
ger from the Harbor, and l could put
myself in good fettle The baroness
and the count and Louison came early,
and we sat long together under the
trees.
The dinner was at seven. There were
more than a dozen guests, among
whom were number had seen at the
chateau-Mr. David Parish Of Ogdens-
burg, who arrived late in a big, two
wheel cart drawn by four horses that
came gallopng to the door, and