The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-01-25

upon the forehead.
Mon angel" he whispered. Mon
ange! Mon angel"
The sudden striking of the little
clock on the mantelpiece awoke Lady
Featherstone the next instant to a
rude consciousness of the realities of
life once more, and she recollected
that in two hours she would have
to receive her guests.
Il am giving a dinner party to-
night" she began, and then stopped,
in some confusion, glancing at M.
Gressonier's clothes. He noticed the
glance, and the smile on his lips flick
cred oddly.
"Ah,' he said, "a dinner party? That
is so nice. I will come, too, is it not?"
"Of course" said Lady Feather
stone, brayely; "if you wish it"
But" added NJ. Gressoniers, a sud
den expression of doubt crossing his
features, "my-my clothes. l fear-I
1t is in effect that / have not any
dress clothes, he stammered. But if
may come-iust as l am"
There will be some distinguished
guests" faltered Lady Featherstone.
The French Ambassador is coming,
and the Count de Serillac-"
"Ah, the French Ambassador and De
Serillac ma cherie," said Gressonier,
that is bonnie chance. To meet two
such men-what pleasure! Then l may
| Gomez"
Lady Featherstone drew deep
breath. AS you are?" she inquired,
nervously.
Gressonier drew back as though he
had been stung.
Madame you - you are not
ashamed of me?"
"Ah, PAUL" she murmured.
"Then-as | ann"
Yes said Lady Featherstone.
1t was not without certain qualms
of anxiety that Lady Featherstone
awaited the arrival of her guests two
hours later; her courage faltered not
a little at the prospect Of the effect
likely to be produced upon the rest of
the company by the appearance OF one
of their number clothed not only in
morning dress, but in very shabby
morning dress; and she wondered in
what possible way she could cOndOne
what might not unreasonably be con-
! strued into an offence against good
| taste and the respect due to her other
guests. Why did Paul Gressonier in
sist upon being present under such
circumstances? He had never in the
early days of their acquaintance
shown himself deficient either in
! breeding or in a knowledge of the
usages of society, so that there seemed
the less excuse for his present
| strange want of tact.
The drawing room was already half
full of guests when the footman,
throwing open the door, announced
His Excellency the French Ambassa-
| dor and the Count de Serillac."
Lady Featherstone turned as the
two gentlemen entered the room, took
a step forward, then paused
M. Chambord advanced with a bow
and a smile. But Lady Featherstone
scarcely noticed the ambassador. Her
color went and came, her heart beat
violently, her eyes remained fixed with
a bewildered wonder upon the Count
de SeriIlac-clad in faultless evening
Dress the Order of the Grand Cross
of the Legion of Honor upon his
breast, a smile upon his handsome
face
IN. Gressonier!" she stammered.
mo, Madame" he answered, bow
ing over her hand; "but your most
humble, your most admiring, your
most devoted slave-Paul de Serillac!
Do you. think" he whispered in her
ear, that I should really have come
to you like that-a poor broken down
man-and asked you to marry mel?
No, no, mon ange-it was to try you;
a little ruse that is ALL And you
would have sacrificed everything for
me! You would even have sacrificed
your pride! You were willing for me
to come here-even in rags-and dis
grace you before the French Ambassa-
dor and the Count de Serillac, is it
not? All. dear one, but l am not a
poor man-no, I am rich. You shall
sacrifice nothing for me-not even
your pride of name, for Serillac, too,
that is a good name in France; yes,
a good name for my dear one to bear!"
so, Lady Featherstone, said the
Ambassador, smiling, l see that you
and M. de Serillac are not, after
all, total strangers? You have met be-
fore?"
De Serillac placed his hand on the
ambassadors shoulder with good ma
| tured laugh