Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-12-05
Continued.

better than anyone else. Well, you
cuses for bad conduct than | have
but no. [ have children. l have my
Two sODs-and / wished that it might
one day be said: If their father was
sad subject poor fool-the
mother was true and worthy Great
lre'-but that has been easy for me,
DO you think-has it? Because was
BORN thus-born to love nobody-in-
capable Of passion-weakness! All
heavens! heavens, do you believe
that?"
Madame" said Pierrepont, with
some emotion and some embarrass-
ment, Il should have been only too
happy and bethought myself for the
instant-but I doubtless misunder
stand you"
NO" said she, with the same vivac-
:ty, almost carried away. you well
understand me. It is you that are in
question. You have waited upon me. I
10 not know if you love me; but I
Owed you, and I still love you; and I
tell you honestly, ecabuse there has
never been anything more than that;
because I wished TO remain tTue-fOr
ny children, and for God. You see,
never was your mistress, but you
never had better friend than I. You
may be sure Of that" She turned ner
head TO wipe away a tear with the tip
Of her glove.
Give me your hand" said Pierre
cont
She held her hand to him; and say
,ng nothing more, he kissed it softly
There was a long silence between
hem, that was hardly broken by the
light dipping of the oars il the water
Pierrepont broke it first, and trying
70 recover their tone of habitual play
fulness:-
'Tn reality" said she, you are In
part the cause of the ennui that
feel aprOpos of this miserable mar.
ciage. Had I never known you it
would have been less difficult"
She graciously shook her head with
cut answering.
81 would like" said he in a serious
voice, ITO take a woman from your
choice"
THAT is little too delicate" saiu
she. 81 would never accept that res
possibility l would not dare to select
p person as your choice--when my
tfUC fairly ITt,yr, fp r,D,v
What would you say"
Nothing"
You think Of somebody while say
ing that?"
somebody"
you are not sincere at this mo-
ment."
mo! Let us speak of something
else, [ beg of you. Is he a good fell
ow your Fabrice? Is he going to be
friendly to me, do you think?"
Il could swear to it. But we must
cave the boat here, or else the cur.
rent would draw US over the mill
lam"
The little river joined the Orne but
L short distance away shooting over a
lam. The waterfall, the foam OF
which was thrown into relief by the
lark verdure divided into two cur
rents, the principal one of which turn.
I'd water-wheel of a mill on the
bank, on a short peninsula. This was
he sketch that Fabrice was trying to
5et when he was joined by PierreDont
md Nine. d'Aymaret.
After q few circumstantial remarks.
he young woman bluShing-she
riushed at nothing represented her
}etition in favor of Beatrice. He vel,
.Omed it with simplicity and grace.
He would be very happy to give Ma
iemOiselle de Sardonne instructions
II water colors, since he had some
what neglected them himself. Had
d eSardOnne painted
rom nature or only from studias7"
Nine. d'Aymaret, still blushing, could
lot say that she had painted from
nature. And at what hour would
dc Sardonne prefer 10
axe her iessonS?"
Here Nine. d'Aymaret Intercepted
with a look.
I believe" said he, that during the
lay she has only one hour of liberty
that is at the time when my aunt is
aking her siesta-after the midday
Exactly, We will take that"
Crossing the river near the mill
hey entered on the domain Of Nine.
I Aymaret. The two men accompanied
Ter to her door and returned to take
he boat and go to the chateau.
While going they talked a great deal
IF Nine, d'Aymaret, the theme con-
listing Of fancifully embellished varia-
ions of what 4 charming woman,
Neither the one nor the other spoke
If Beatrice,
CHAPTER vi.
Pierre's Secret.
Upon the same evening Fabrice
offered his services to Nine de Sar-
tonne. and she thanked him with one
II those beautiful smiles that so rare
Y, but 50 softly. lighted her olive
checks. He desired 10 see some of
Ter sketches, and she showed them
o him with some confusion. They
had been made from nature, and he
.ound that they were rot devoid OF
merit, 1t was then arranged upon
5aTung that upon the morrow during
he regular siesta of the Baroness
She should resume, under the direc-