The Washington herald., 1907-10-13

little case, which he had wrapped up, not
very deftly, In tissue paper and tied with
a piece OF fine string.
| Before Miss Densley could do more
than make a startled and astonished
movement, however, and long before she
could appreciate what was happening and
! hold out her hand to take the gift, Mon
sieur Leblanc had neatly edged away
from his companion and. following the
two young people, put out his own hand.
with the intention Of intercepting the
present
'Ahl Mr.. St Quintin. not in that wayl
The presentation must be through met
he said, with his charming smile. as he
attempted TO possess himself of the little
parcel.
Perhaps St. Quintln, In his long con-
temptation Of the strange things that
had happened at Briar Lodge, had grown
cautious beyond his wont At any rate,
quick and nimble as was Monsieur Le-
blanc in trying to get possession of the
jewel, the young man was quicker still
Smiling but firm, he snatched his parcel
away from he outstretched hand and
said:\
No, Monsieur Leblanc. II have per-
mission TO give a present TO your nieee
understand that permission implies that
may give 1t IN the English way-direct
10 her"
There was a moments confusion in the
group. James Ince affected to step back
as il the matter were no affair in which
he might take part. but he did not go far
enough 70 be out Of earshOt, and Mon
sieur Leblanc cast at him a sidelong look
Of apprehension.
st. Quintin glanced at him, too, wonder
ing what he theught Of 1t all Miss Dens-
ley. who had turned very white, stopped
short in the middle of the broad path.
and looked timidly first at ST Quintin and
then at her uncle
Strange thoughts were passing rapidIy
through the brain of the young man.
Had Marie, he wondered, been told of the
gifts which her suitors were evidently
ready TO shower upon her? Or did her
uncle save these offerings and pile them
up as a kind Of shrine TO youth and
beauty, with the intention OF weighing
their value, the one against the other,
before ne finally. made his choice of a
husband for his pretty niece?
St Quintin, as this thought passed
through his mind, could scarcely help
smiling at the oddity of the idea. But.
indeed, the Leblancs had confessed so
frankly how great their consideration for
money was, and how much higher prop
erty stood in their estimation than any
thing else. that there did not seem to be
anything absurd in the notion.
He looked curiously at the girl, wish
ing he could speak to her alone and sat
isfy his doubts. But Monsieur Leblanc
noted his look, and, stepping between the
two young people, said in his gentlest and
sweetest tone:
Marie. you do not know how generous
Mr.. st. Quintin is. What do you think
of his insisting that he should give you
a present, begging me to allow you to
accept one? Would you, do you think
allow 1t also?''
Marie, who had already stopped short
looked from her uncle to ST Quintin
with a strange expression upon her face.
IL don't understand she said in
low, faltering voice. What present2 I
don't understand"
By this time James Ince, much against
his will. had felt compelled to drop al
together out of this very confidential do
nestle scene, and by hurrying his steps
a little he had rejoined the group In front,
and was now walking beside the vicar.
The three people interested in the pres
entation Of the gift were thus left alone
in the middle of the path, with the even
ing sun shining on their faces through
the interlaced bOughs of the fruit trees.
and with the sweet scents of thyme and
sage, mint and sweetbriar coming to
their nostrils through the mild Septem-
Der air.
Monsieur Leblanc proceeded to explain.
Placing himself in front Of the two young
people, and laying a gentle hand upon
his pretty niece's shoulder, he said:
Mr.. st. Quintin hoped there would be
no objection to his offering you a little
gift. and I told him I should make none.
Now. my dear child. what have you to
say?"