Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-07-03

SELF, IN ling
perhaps rather bitterly. "Homen Her
home now was a single room over a
goldsmith's shop. whittier she had
removed to relieve Marie Zerkovitch
from hospitality too burdensome, as
Sophy feared, for her existing re-
sources to sustain.
The reverie bore breaking. 1t had
been none too pleasant. In 1t sad
memories disputed place with present
difficulties. Some third or so remained
of Lady Megs hundred pound note.
Necessity had forced the use Of the
money at any cost to pride. When all
was gone Sophy would have to depend
on what is SO often last and SO often
vain refuge-the teaching of French
1t was the only subject which she
could claim to teach. Verify, 1t was a
poor prospect 1t was better to look at
the officers and the ladies than to think
of it-aye. better than to think of Cast
mir and of what lay in the past With
her strong will she strove to steel her.
against apprehension.
The cafe was nearly deserted. The
hour was too early for the citizens, and
Sophy's own chocolate had been merely
an excuse to sit down. Yet presently
young officer in hussar uniform stop
ped his horse opposite the door and.
giving over the reins to an orderly who
attended him, nimbly dismounted Tall
and fair, with pleasant, open face, he
wore his fnery with a dashing air and
caressed a delicate upturned mustache
as he glanced around, choosing his seat
The next moment he advanced toward
Sophy. Giving her a polite salute, he
indicated little table next to hers.
"AIademoiselle perinits?" he asked.
"she has. fear. forgotten, but have
the honor to be an acquaintance Of
hers"
II remember" smiled Sophy. "Cap-
tain Markart? We met at Nine. Zerko-
vitch's."
.Oh, that's pleasant Of your he cried.
II hate being clean forgotten. But
fear you remember me only because
sang so badlyr'
II remember best that you said you
wanted to so and help France, but
your general wouldn't let you"
"Ah, know why you remember that
you especially! Forgive me. Our
friend Marie Zerkovitch told me-" He
turned away for moment to give an
order to the waiter.
whats going on today?" asked So
ply. Where's everybody goingT'
"Why, you are a stranger, made
moisellew his laughed. tits the kings
name day, and we all go and congratu-
late him."
us that it? Are you going?"
Certainly. In attendance of my gen.
eral-General Stenoyics. My lodgings
are near here, his house at the other
end of the. boulevard, so he gave me
leave to meet him here. thought l
would come early and fortify myself
q little for the ordeal. To mademoi-
selle's good healthw He looked at her
with openly admiring eyes, to which
tribute Sophy accorded lazy, unem-
barrassed smile. She leaned her chin
in her hand, turning her right cheek TO-
ward him. Sophy was never disdainful,
never neglectful. Her pose now was
good.
what sort Of man is the king7"
she asked.
"The king is most emphatically q
very good sort of fellow-a gery good
pld fellow. I only wish his son was
like him! The prince is Tartar. Has
he gone by YETI"
II don't think SO. suppose he'd haze
an escort, wouldn't he? ! don't know
him by sight yet. Docs everybody call
the king good fellow2"
"Some people are SO extremely right
eous!" pleaded Markart ruefully. "And.
anyhow, he has reformed now.''
Because he's old?"
"Fifty-nine. Is that SO very old? No;
rather attribute 1t you're discreet, /
hope? I'm putting my fortunes in
your hands, to Mme la Comtesse."
The Countess Ellenburg? Marie has
told me something about her."
"Ah! Nine. Zerkoyitch is a friend of
hers?"
Not intimate, / think. And is the
countess oppressiyely respectable, Cap
tain Markart7''