Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-04

look upon Sta1nnering apologies and snatching my
hat from my head, l flushed and dropped my eyes
before her-which not in accordance with my
custom. dropped my eyes, as say; but even then
l her clearly within my BRAIN as if my eyes
boldly resting upon her face.
The lady of the manor, evidently. | had heard
there sister to the recalcrant young Seigneur,
Mademoiselle Irene, over whose beauty and ca
prices had more than duel been fought among
the gallants of Quebec.
Presently heard the sound of my stammering cease
and soft voice, troubling with familiar note,
said courteousy, You are very welcome to Cheticamp
Monsieur My brother is away from home, unhappily,
but in his absence you must allow me the honor of
taking his place as your host in my poor way"
| looked up and met her eyes fairly, my confusion
lost in surprise; and the instant my heart sgnaled
to melt is none other than the maid of the win
dow Take carei'
Yes saw it plain. Yet should have known
il but for perception somehow subtle than that
of ear and eye-for she had disguised her voice the
night before and her dress had been that of peas
maid, and the bright riddle of her face had been
in shadow | perceived, too, that she felt herself safe
from discovery; and that it for me to save her
bushes by leaving her security unassailed In all this
sudden turmoil of my wits. however, fear that
near forgetting my manners.
-Mademoiselle-' demanded bluntly show
do you know who | ann?
at is the part of the conquered to know their
quers, Monsieur" she answered. in manner that
eluded the bitterness of the words But, indeed the
place of English officer, on duty that is doubtless
Official is here at the Segneury and not at the viii
lage inn. We cannot let you put slight upon our
hospitality"
But was stubborn. That deed in my pocket weighed
tons. Yet my inclination must have shown in my
Irene lie Fevre to decipher it. little air of con-
hdence fitted over her face. Nevertheless, shook
my head.
too much. 1t will delight me to learn that your
brother has been malgned"-and in this, faith,
spoke true, forgetting the contingent peril to pocket
but were he innocent it would be my duty
to take him to Halifax for the Governor himself to
weigh the evidence The irony of life has sent me
here your foe, not as your guest
Then, Monsieur come foe who but observes
the courteses. Come with your hands free to arrest
my brother at any moment his hearthstone
Che is far away from it now, praise MaryD or to
your hostess either, If your duty should de-
Her strong, little eloquent hands were clasped in
appeal-and who was | to deny her? But | looked
into her eyes; and in their childke deeps, I'M
derneath the hooking and the te1gnng clear spirit
which | could not bear deude. | understood now
very plainly her mad game of the night before She
was unmasking a danger for her brother l justified
her in my heart but for my own part in the folly
felt a creeping shame. How lightly she must hold
me- This thought, and sense that | was about to
hurt her, brought the hot flush to my face; and
looked away | spoke.
But, Observation-Disclosures that I bear such
tidngs-the estates of Monsieur Raoul lie Fevre, Seg
neur of Chetcamp, conhscated to the Crown.
"Mademoisele," | cried more passionatey, perhaps
than was fitting, "do not misunderstood. The con-
fscation does not apply at once, of course and you
are still absolute mistress here 1t your brother be
proved innocent, the decree of confiscation may be
revoked So it will be held in suspension You
will, | am sure, permit me to go through the form
of visiting your house, to convince me, as the Gov
errors emissary that Monsieur lie Fevre is not there
Then will return to the village and see to 1t that
my men shall you annoyance or embarrass-
ment l dare not ask you to pity me tor the duty
that has been put upon me.
"You are a generous enemy, chivalrous enemy
Monsieur" she murmured in low earnest, slightly
strained voice. Then she recovered her hghtness.
Il almost your prisoner, in sense, am not !!
A suspect, certainly If l accept your leniency, and
hv
fiscated roof do not make die under this weight
of favor Be my guest and let me feel that am
not the only in debt
Was this the same woman, this half hooking, all
irresistible creature, she whom had seen graytaced
with hopeless trouble not three minutes before! SAID
myself IF pit my wits or my heart against herS.
it is all UP with Blank truth is my only hope
Aloud I said, 81 will be your guest Mademoisele.
though the debt in which I SO overwhelm myself IS
one from which I never again get free"
For this acquiescence my reward was just a look OF
brilliancy that made catch my breath with pleas
ure With a gesture that babe to her side she
turned and moved slowly up the PATH between the
shining copiousness of roses.
81 will send servant with your orderly to the inn.
Monsieur" she said ito fetch your things. Our old
walls will be glad to shelter again soldiers uniform
even if the color of it be something strange to them
almost you tempt to wish that had been born
TO the white uniform" answered, in daze with the
nearness of her. the wtchery of her. the nameess charm
of her movement, the subtle inoxicaton of her voice
almost you tempt me to regret, she retorted with
gracious ralery that the of your cold and stub
born north cannot be moved to change by womans
arguments"
1T is to unchangeabeness we moved by wo-
man. Mademoiselle."
| spoke with an exaggerated ghtness, to avoid
too significant seriousness.
is there ever, wonder risk of such steadtastness
growing tiresome" unused Mademoselle, turning con-
templative
The swift change discounted me- I turned my
words TO plattudes the beauty of the house. the
den the landscape And presently | found myself es-
tablshed an honored yet confessedy hostile guest in
the Segneury of Cheticamp.
BIT the situation, seemingly quiet and easy that
it might aspire to last forever in fact a bubble
of rainbow tissue blown its of tension and
ready to shatter at a breath When the breath came
it light one truly, yet how the face of the world
changed under it. .awoke morning in the first
rosiness OF dawn, with kind of forebodng. / went
to the window There in the misty bay hove-to at
discreet distance from the wharves, was small
schooner, signalling,