The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-09
PIERRETTE

monious manner by you. often think
OF the time when We played together
DO you still remember it,"
Yes. | remember that you were
very good 10 me, and that often took
advantage OF your Kindness
Not al all. but | must sayxhis, that
you were even then a little .tarterer,
and something OF fiirt. How oiten
haven't you said TO me: When |
shall be big enough Jacques, shall
want you 10 marry me"
He had taken both her hands. and
added In a voice which betrayed his
emotion: You were so jolly. so good.
SO frank that IL caused ME great sor-
row 10 leave YOU
Pierrette withdrew her hands and
said rather curtly: "Oh, please don't
make any scenes. hate all senti'
mentality"
She took a cup from the table and
hurried away.
That is the way it always goes. "
Jacques said to himself, the lovely
child OF former days has been changed
into real lady with bad manners.
II is pity, but after all she Is still
charming"
During the next week Jacques
found plenty OF opportunities 10
strengthen his impression that Pier
rette was irresistible.
Spoiled In every way by the mar
quise. admired by all the other guests,
Pierrette really seemed to be a young
girl with very bad manners as Jac-
ques had called her.
Already before the arrival OF the
count she had suspected that the
duchess cared for Jacques. and thou
sand little trifies had now confirmed
her suspicion, She was no longer in
doubt that Irritation was going on
between the beautiful Partisan lady
and the count. and IT seemed that she
now cared for nothing else but to
tease. annoy and surprise them,
She was everywhere where she ex.
pected to find jacques and
the duchess; IN the library
for her grandmother. five min
utes later IN the conservatory or In
the Japanese pavilion at the end OF
the park; she roamed through the cor
ridors where the guests rooms were
located, and she always asked If she
should not accompany them in such a
odiSd5tiC ulduutT ludl the COuul. al
the same time furious and embarrass-
ed. lost his self-control entirely. Often
he blushed like school boy when
about 10 play some trick, and this
seemed TO please Pierrette SO much
she thought Of nothing else but TO in
vent something that would make him
blush again.
One day she came noiselessly into
the conservatory where the duchess
was Just addressing Jacques in very
passionate voice. Pierrette made
face as If she had never suspected
their presence there, then she laughed
and said: Il hope you will not let
my presence interrupt your pleasant
chat. just want TO pick few flow
ers."
The duchess, highly indignant, turn.
ed and left without waiting for the
count, who did not dare TO follow
her.
That must be very amusing" Pier
rette said with smile. continuing
her search for flowers.
But Mile. Pierrette-"
"Oh, know very we'll that 1t is
none OF my business"
II will never allow anyone to"
ITO suspect the duchess" Pierrette
finished the sentence. "Oh, you
needn't worry, | respect the lady very
much. first because she is old, and
then because of the feelings she has
for you"
For me?"
Yes. for you; don't try to play the
innocent"
Mile. Pierrette.' the count said in
a very serious tone, Il greatly regret
to be the guest in a house that con
tains a little illfmannered, forward per
son whom cannot tell what | think
of her behavior as much as | should
like to-"
He stopped short when he noticed
that Pierrette bowed her head.
And If your grandmother knew"
oh, my grandmother" she replied.
she would not be very happy 10 find
out that you use my uncle's house
to"
Now II was the counts turn to
feel embarrassed.
But | assure you, Mile Pierrette."
he stammered, that have done moth
ing which"
"Oh. done nothing! | have seen
you"
"Me?"
Yes. the day before yesterday.
when you kissed the duchess in the
hall"
"Oh. II it Is nothing worse than
that"
lis that the way you take It," she
blurted out. then should like 'to
know what worse you may have
done"
Throwing the basket with the flow
ers on the moor she rushed out OF the
door.
What strange girl" the count
thought. "she is as sassy as a little
dog, and still she is so childlike and
innocent that never saw anything
like IT, should like to study her char
acter"
And while he slowly walked out OF
the conservatory he said TO himself:
Now must find the duchess
wonder where She can be? Oh. I'm
really tired OF the whole business :"
A month passed and Jacques was
still at Vleilles-RocheTs. He had sent
for a second saddle horse aud took
part IN every hunt.
The duchess began to speak OF re-
turning to Paris. Jacques seemed to
her so changed and in such bad bu-
NOR that she hardly recognized hirn.
and shee hoped that he would find his
old spirits after returning TO Paris.
Perrette was prettier. livelier and
a. -. al.