Arizona republican., 1910-03-07

~ TX o'clock on December morning in louraino' thick darkness over the w'de country; thicKer ~ darkness within the chateau. The kitchen cat
 was asleep in the large round room on the ground floor of the north tower, tor the modern TUT mace made it warm: hungry mouse, attracted also bv the comfort. scuttled from ms hoIe toward d crumb: Mistress Fuss opened her eyes. the pupils dilated by sleep but high living had ieS sS 'nsmc vanished A slight sound, far of, made her point her ears and sit up. One does not come to years of discretion in the kitchen of a chateau, Whlch Is 2 favorte rendezvous for huntsmen without cutting ones cye-teeth-that IS, if one IS cat-and russ now two years old, knew to the fainest shade those to be trusted and those to be avoided So she sat alert until the door opehed and old Denis, carrying a lamp in one hand and a huge tw1ne bag hled wtn boots and shoes in the other, entered lie never interfered with her, Fuss crooned good morning and followed her greeting with loud continuous purr She then settled herself in an obscure corner folded in her paws rn'rr her white orea5l; ana T watched him with green. inquisitive eyes while he renade the fire, grumbhns under hls breath the while
 the floor and began to arrange the shoes in paTS on fhe long shelf against the wall. There were all sorts and conditions of foot-coverlngs; top-ocots with untrodden heels and we-shaped toes hr'nglng to tbc napination faint echo o horns anG hunters cries: rough heavy boots. laced to the <nee the soles covered with nails, telling ot lorg, happy trau1ps gun on shoulder. dog al heel Jt is LOOK up pair of this description turned then over; looked hard at the soles. and grunted as h- placed them in order on the shelf. He put the biggest sf the head and this special pair came al the end of tine mems; next them began the ladies'. All we're eel un al last but two pairs the larger of these was so pretty that 1t was strange they Snouid ' nlaAe 5nvone lei alone man, scowf; but DeniS brow grew vet darker as he scanned their soles, m the same careful manner with which he had examined the heavier, and growled, I've caught em; that
 At the very end of the he placed little 3ar not more than four inches long, with round toes which told his experienced eye that d t9er y look and when Denis put them down he ceased ITS angry mutterings, the scowl vanished from his knotted forehead for moment and he ioeSea ea little fcllowp ..
 lust then he heard slight sound and looking mp. saw light coming toward him from the fur.her end of the long passage leading to the east tower for he had left the door to get better draugnt to start his fire. As the person GarryIns the lamp came nearer he saw that it was his niece, Claude, and the scowI became still more pronounced, while he advanced his chin in an obstinate manner
 The girl was tall and slender, with pale face and grave eyes; sometimes she looked sad, but this morning her whole expression vas transformed as if some inward joy gleamed warm again % Wlanin h.,
 Good morning, my uncle? she said, offering her soft cheek for his kiss; :.. almost a snarl.
 She was evidently used to his ways, 'or she set her lamp down and took up of tre tcwitching boots. . :.. the countess" she said gently; but he snatched the
 'sYou shall not touch them unhappy child You have done your last stroke of work under this TOOL To-day you and l leave.
 "Are YOU mad. my uncle?" she asked. in ment .Lo..,a he pure and men honorable Mad. ndeedi It only wanted this I knew that l was out of the fashion with my ideas: but my own niece tells me that I am mad, because r have the folly to want her to live with decent people.
 Dear uncle, never called you mad for that;
 Don't interrupt, I know your tricks I'm your master, for I stand in the place of your parents, and I've given up my life to you My old mistress left me pension, to be mine only when quitted the young counts service But she made me promise solemnly I'd stay with him until l was too old to work, unless my conscience told me to leave want home of my own; want you to keep 1t tor me I've been on the watch for six years tor chance to leave and it's come at last l won't have them say l can't keep my word m a phl9sopner, and consider myself very good man. Now prove it. I quit for the sake of morality. If you are economical we put aside something Tor your dot when I'm gone; but while live live you shant have a
 Tn to this moment Claude had stood staring at him with frightened eyes, but when he paused for breath she struck in:
 Uncle I know how good you've been to me. but I am young and my life is before me I am happy here: my mistress is so kind so good"
 "Cirl. you liel If she is kind, it is only to make vor, her Slave: but good, Noi She is bad and six years ago. when she came here bride began to foresee this day. She was so young. so dressed up; ; this house for forty years The old countess took me raw lad from the fields and taught me all l know There was hne woman tor you Did sne wear miserable shodiy things her feet like this ?: The irate old fellow held up the little boot with an air of scorn. "No, her shoes were as solid and big as mans; she never wore heels The first time blacked this fine lady's shoes knew what would come sooner or later and here it IS.
 Here is what uncle? Don't talk riddles any more tell me the truth! Remember what leaving here means for me; ii means giving up Pierre.
 She covered her face with her hands as she spoke and sank on chair She of the persons of whom Fuss approved, so her catship jumped on nd herseH rOmfOrtabP
 Pierre, Well, I should not cry my eyes out for that I want to look for my own comfort a little now I didn't bring you up for nothing you know. r e
 Now. my predictions have come true. For six wears I've waited for chance to get free; at last it's come'
 "Why do you hate the countess, my uncle"
 "I'm philosopher and hate no one. But she's not my sort A great family like this should have serious lady at its head. It goes against me to see chit taking up old mistress's place Now, I'll explain why must go. -
 He took up one of the bewitching boots, holding